Monthly Archives: April 2015

“Nursery Rhymes” preschool storytime

preschool nursery rhymes

Opening Song
I wiggle my fingers. I wiggle my toes.
I wiggle my ears. I wiggle my nose.
I wiggle my shoulders. I wiggle my chin.
I stretch my arms wide and pull them back in.
I wiggle my elbows. I wiggle my knees.
I hop like a bunny. I smile and say, “Cheese!”
Now I have no more wiggles left in me
And I sit on the floor as still as can be.
Source: Storytime with Jason

Book – The Neighborhood Mother Goose by Nina Crews

Jack be Nimble
Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack jump over the candle stick!
Jack jumped high, Jack jumped low.
Jack jumped over, and burnt his toe.
Jill be nimble, jump it too.
If Jack can do it, so can you.
Source:  Music Notes

Mama’s Little Baby Loves Dancing
Mama’s little baby loves dancing, dancing
Mama’s little baby loves getting down
Mama’s little baby loves dancing, dancing
Mama’s little baby loves to turn around!
You lean to the left. You lean to the right.
You hug that baby nice and tight
Source: King County Library System 

Book – To Market, To Market by Anne Miranda

Skip to my Lou
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip to my Lou, my darlin’.
Source: Traditional

Song: Jim Gill’s “Stick to the Glue

Five Little Monkeys felt board
Five little monkeys swinging from a tree
Teasing Mr. Crocodile,
“You can’t catch me. You can’t catch me.”
Along comes Mr. Crocodile quiet as can be
And snapped that monkey right out of that tree!
Source: Traditional

One, Two, Buckle my Shoe
One, two, buckle my shoe;
Three, four, open the door;
Five, six, pick up sticks;
Seven, eight, lay them straight:
Nine, ten, a big, fat hen!
Source: Traditional

Book- Good Night, Sleep Tight by Mem Fox (was overdue so I couldn’t use!!!) So I used this instead:
When the Wind Blew

Song – Laurie Berkner’s “Airplane”

Tommy Thumbs Up 
Tommy Thumbs up (thumbs up)
and Tommy Thumbs down. (thumbs down)
Tommy Thumbs dancing all over town.  (Dance thumbs)
Dance ‘em on your shoulders.
(Bounce them on shoulders)
Dance ‘em on your head. (Bounce them on head)
Dance ‘em on your knees. (Bounce them on knees)
And tuck them into bed! (Fold arms, hiding hands)
Source: King County Library System

 

Goodbye
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as high as we can
Good-bye! (in high, squeaky voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as low as we can
Good-bye! (in a deep voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as fast as we can
Good-bye! (very quick)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as slow as we can
Good-bye! (very slowly and drawn out)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as quiet as we can
Good-bye! (in a whisper)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as loud as we can
GOOD-BYE! (yelling)
Source: Jbrary

Early literacy tip: Nursery rhymes help children acquire language skills through rhyming, repetition, and vocabulary. Nursery rhymes also help preserve one’s culture. Tell your children nursery rhymes in whatever language you feel most comfortable!
Source: PBS

Other books that could work for this theme
Croc-a-Doodle-Doo! – by Huw Lewis Jones and illustrated by Sebastien Braun

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“Old MacYogi had a Farm” yoga storytime

clipclop

 

Opening – How I explain the rules of yoga storytime: stay on your mat and keep your hands to yourself.
(Skip to my Lou –  from Jim Gill)
Stomping feet, one and two
Stomping feet, one and two
But if my feet were covered in glue
I’d stick to the glue, my darling.

Clapping hands, one and two
Clapping hands, one and two
But if my hands were covered in glue
I’d stick to the glue, my darling
(hands in Anjali mudra, or prayer position)

Extend and Stretch
Frere Jacques
Extend and stretch (sit in sukasana – easy seated pose, or crisscross applesauce- and do seated side bends)
Extend and stretch
Twist and turn (seated twists)
Twist and turn
This is yoga, (hands overhead on “this,” then bring to prayer position on “yoga”)
This is yoga
Om sweet om, (hands in prayer, bow forward)
Om sweet om
Source: I got this from Kids Yoga Guide teacher training, but here is another from Be Grace Yoga 

Sun Salutations – I use a call and response version of Sargeant Salutations from Kidding Around Yoga. 

Old MacYogi had a Farm
Old Mac-Yogi had farm. E-i-e-i-om.
The kids took turns saying what animals were on the farm, and we acted them out in yoga poses.

Walking Old Joe
Walking Old Joe, walking Old Joe
sit with legs stretched out in front, lifting one foot then the other for walking
You’re the best horse in the county-o.
Walking Old Joe, walking Old Joe
WHOA, JOE! Fall back onto mat, legs in air. Come back to seated.
Repeat with trot and gallop.
Source: King County Library System

Book – Clip-Clop by Nicola Smee
Horse: Downward dog with horse kicks (faster during the clip clop parts)
Cat: cat pose
Dog: puppy pose
Pig: happy baby pose (like pigs rolling in the mud)
Duck: Malasana (yogic squat) to waddle like a duck

Song: Bari Koral and the Family Band- “Back to the Farm

Chicken Feed
I tossed out “chicken feed” (a bag of pompoms) around the room and had the kids collect the pompoms with their toes and place them into bowls. Normally, this game is called “toe-ga.”

Savasana
This was a guided savasana. We pretended we were at the farm. The sun was shining, and we could feel its warmth. The horses were neighing and running. The cows are mooing and chewing grass. The goats were jumping and eating everything. We looked at the rows and rows of food growing and thought about how healthy this food was for us. We thought about how great it was to see life growing around the farm and tried to hold on to that feeling.

Peace begins with me
Hold both hands overhead. On the word “peace,” touch the thumbs and pinky fingers together. On the word “begins,” touch the thumbs and ring fingers. On the word “with,” touch the thumbs and middle fingers. On the word “me,” touch the thumbs and pointers. Repeat this four times, the first time loudly and hands overhead. The second time, bring the hands down a little and speak a little softer. The third time, bring hands lower and whisper. The last time, bring hands to knees and speak words silently to self.
Source: Kids Yoga Guide Teacher Training

Mandala coloring

Namaste!

 

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“Chickens” Toddler Storytime

Toddler chickens

Opening Rhyme
(to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
We’re all here today. We’re all here today.
Let’s clap our hands and sing together.
Hip, hip, hooray!
Source: (To be honest, my library was using this before I started so I’m not sure where the previous librarian found it, but it looks like a modified version of Jean Warren’s Preschool Express song here.)

Open Shut Them
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Give a little clap, clap, clap.
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Put them in your lap, lap, lap.
Creep them, crawl them,
Creep them, crawl them,
Right up to your chin, chin, chin.
Open up your little mouth,
But do not put them in.
Source: King County Library System

Book- Cock-a-Doodle-Moo! by Bernard Most

The Hens in the Coop
(The Wheels on the Bus)
The hens in the coop go
Cluck, cluck, cluck,
Cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck
The hens in the coop go
Cluck cluck cluck all around the farm.
The chicks in the yard go cheep…
The rooster on the fence goes cock a doodle doo…
Source: Harris County Public Library 

Five Eggs
Five eggs and five eggs
And that makes ten
Sitting on top is Mother Hen
Cluck cluck cluck Clap hands
What do I see?
Ten fluffy chickens
Yellow as can be.
Source: Mel’s Desk

Book – Hurry! Hurry! by Eve Bunting

Song: “I Know a Chicken” – Laurie Berkner

Shake, Shake, Shake
(Do your Ears Hang Low?)
Can you shake your egg up high?
Can you shake your egg down low?
Can you shake it side to side?
Can you shake it by your toe?
Can you shake it really fast?
Can you shake it really slow?
Can you shake your egg?
Source:  Storytimes and More

1, 2 Buckle My Shoe
1, 2 buckle my shoe
3, 4 shut the door
5, 6 pick-up sticks
7, 8 lay them straight
9, 10 a big, fat hen!
Source: Traditional

 Bubbles – best bubble machine ever! (IMHO, of course)

 Rainbows in my Bubbles
Tune of She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain)
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do
When I look up towards the sun,
They’ve got rainbows every one.
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do.
Source: Preschool Express

Good-bye Song
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with both feet now
Repeat with other body parts
Source: King County Library System

Play Time!

Early literacy tip:   Young children love to make noise, and rhythm instruments can satisfy this desire while also exposing kids to music, patterns (early math), and rhythm (early speech and language learning). Make your own “egg shakers” using uncooked rice or beans in a child-proof prescription bottle!

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“Earth Day” Preschool storytime

Preschool earth day

Opening Song
I wiggle my fingers. I wiggle my toes.
I wiggle my ears. I wiggle my nose.
I wiggle my shoulders. I wiggle my chin.
I stretch my arms wide and pull them back in.
I wiggle my elbows. I wiggle my knees.
I hop like a bunny. I smile and say, “Cheese!”
Now I have no more wiggles left in me
And I sit on the floor as still as can be.
Source: Storytime with Jason

Book – Big Bear Hug by Nicholas Oldland

Song – “Clap Your Hands” by They Might Be Giants 

Once There was a Litter Bug
Tune:  “Itsy Bitsy Spider”
Once there was a litter bug
Who went from town to town,
Throwing out his garbage,
That landed on the ground.
The garbage grew so high
That when he turned around,
The litter bug got buried
And he was never found!
Source: Preschool Express

I threw paper all around the room during the Litter Bug song, and the kids picked it up to put it in the recycle bin during the next song.

PICKING UP LITTER   
Tune:  “Paw, Paw Patch”
Picking up litter and put it in the trash can.
Picking up litter and put it in the trash can.
Picking up litter and put it in the trash can.
Way down yonder, at the library.
Source: Preschool Express 

Book – Joseph had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback

Song: “Goldfish” by Laurie Berkner

Felt Board – A-hunting We Will Go  

Book – The Earth Book by Todd Parr

Felt Board
Sung to: “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall”
Five bottles of juice on the wall,
five bottles of juice.
Put one in the recycling bin.
Four bottles of juice on the wall.
Continue until there are no more bottles left.
Source: What Happens in Storytime

Goodbye
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as high as we can
Good-bye! (in high, squeaky voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as low as we can
Good-bye! (in a deep voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as fast as we can
Good-bye! (very quick)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as slow as we can
Good-bye! (very slowly and drawn out)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as quiet as we can
Good-bye! (in a whisper)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as loud as we can
GOOD-BYE! (yelling)
Source: Jbrary

Early literacy tip: Go for a nature walk. Make animal noises. Plant seeds. Hug trees. (For real.) Learn sorting by placing recyclables in the correct bins.

 

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“Frogs” Toddler Storytime

frogs toddler

Opening Rhyme
(to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
We’re all here today. We’re all here today.
Let’s clap our hands and sing together.
Hip, hip, hooray!
Source: (To be honest, my library was using this before I started so I’m not sure where the previous librarian found it, but it looks like a modified version of Jean Warren’s Preschool Express song here.)

Hello, Hands. Good-bye, Hands.
Hello, hands. (Wave hands in front of face.)
Good-bye, hands. (Hide hands behind back.)
Hello, hands. Good-bye, hands.
My hands were feeling shy today. (Keep hands hidden.)
But now they’re feeling better! (Bring hands out, wave frantically, and smile HUGE.)
Repeat with feet, face, etc.
Source: King County Library System

Book – Where are you, Little Frog? by Kayleigh Rhatigan

Five green and Speckled Frogs
Five green and speckled frogs
Sat on a speckled log
Eating the most delicious bugs – yum, yum!
(rub tummy)
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there were four green  speckled frogs.
Glumph, glumph.
Source: Traditional

The Frog Lives in the Pond
(The Farmer in the Dell)
The frog lives in the pond,
His tongue is oh so long.
It reaches high to catch a fly
And then he sings this song.
Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit
Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit
Heigh, ho just watch him go
His tongue is oh so long!
Source: Preschool Express

Book – AH HA! by Jeff Mack

Three Little Froggies
Three little froggies sitting on a well. (cup hands)
One peeked in and down he fell.
(raise 1 finger)
Froggies jumped high,
(raise hands & wave)
Froggies jumped low.
(lower hands near floor)
Froggies jumped everywhere to & fro! (wave arms all over)
(Continue rhyme: Two little froggies, etc.)
Source: King County Library System

Bullfrog
Here’s Mr. Bullfrog
Sitting on a rock.
Along comes a little boy.
Mr. Bullfrog jumps,
KERPLOP!
Source: King County Library System

Bubbles – best bubble machine ever! (IMHO, of course)

Rainbows in my Bubbles
(Tune of She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain)
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do
When I look up towards the sun,
They’ve got rainbows every one.
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do.
Source: Preschool Express

Good-bye Song
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with both feet now
Repeat with other body parts
Source: King County Library System

Play Time!

Early literacy tip:  Follow your child’s lead. Toddlers can learn almost any concept through their everyday activities. If your child loves to be active, she will learn about fast and slow, up and down, and over and under as she plays on the playground. If she prefers to explore with her hands, she will learn the same concepts and skills as she builds with blocks.
Source: Zero to Three

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“Opposites” Preschool Storytime

preschool opposites

Opening Song
I wiggle my fingers. I wiggle my toes.
I wiggle my ears. I wiggle my nose.
I wiggle my shoulders. I wiggle my chin.
I stretch my arms wide and pull them back in.
I wiggle my elbows. I wiggle my knees.
I hop like a bunny. I smile and say, “Cheese!”
Now I have no more wiggles left in me
And I sit on the floor as still as can be.
Source: Storytime with Jason

Book – Go! Go! Go! Stop! by Cherise Mericle Harper

Green Means Go
Red means stop. Green means go.
Yellow means be careful. You better go slow.
I look both ways when I cross the street.
I use my head to guide my feet.
Source: I have no idea where I got this, and Google is coming up with nothing. Sorry. 

Song – “Freeze Dance” by Greg and Steve

Two Little Black Birds
Two little black birds sitting on a hill
One named Jack and one named Jill
Fly away, Jack. Fly away, Jill.
Come back, Jack. Come back, Jill .
Sitting in a car… near and far
Flying in the sky…low/high
Sitting on a gate…Early/late
Sitting on a pole…Fast/slow
Sitting on the ice…Mean/nice
Sitting on a gate… Wobbly/straight
Sitting on a mop… Bottom…top
Sitting on a cloud… Quiet and loud
Sitting on a lily… Serious/silly
Source: Jbrary


Book – You are (Not) Small by Anna Kang

Song – “Growing Bigger” by Preschool of Rock

Stretch Up high
Stretch up high,
As tall as a house.
Now curl up small,
As small as a mouse.
Now pretend you have a drum.
And play it like this, a rum tum tum.
Now wiggle your fingers,
And stamp your feet.
Now close your eyes,
and pretend to sleep.
Source: King County Library System

Book- Big Bigger Biggest by Nancy Coffelt

Go In and Out the Window
Go in and out the window
Go in and out the window.
Go in and out the window
As we have done before.
Other verses: go up and down the staircase; Look right and left out the window
Go quickly and slowly on the racetrack
Source: BayViews Storytime

This is Big
This is big, big, big.
(Stretch hands far to side)
This is small, small, small.
(Cup hands together over lap)
This is short, short, short.
(Hold palms horizontally, close)
This is tall, tall, tall.
(Hold palms horizontally, far apart)
This is fast, fast, fast. (roll hands quickly)
This is slow, slow, slow. (roll hands slowly)
This is yes, yes, yes. (nod)
This is no, no, no! (shake head)
Source: Mel’s Desk and (shameless self-promotion) Storyblocks

Goodbye
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as high as we can
Good-bye! (in high, squeaky voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as low as we can
Good-bye! (in a deep voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as fast as we can
Good-bye! (very quick)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as slow as we can
Good-bye! (very slowly and drawn out)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as quiet as we can
Good-bye! (in a whisper)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as loud as we can
GOOD-BYE! (yelling)
Source: Jbrary

Early literacy tip: Play with puzzles. Play matching and sorting games— notice what is alike and different. Include foam, magnet, block letters in play.
Source: Saroj Ghoting 

Other books that will work with this theme:
Kitty and Cat: Opposites Attract by Mirka Hokkanen
Ups and Downs by Mike Wohnoutka
Uh-Oh! Rabbit by Jo Ham

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“Opposites” Toddler Storytime

Toddler opposites

Opening Rhyme
(to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
We’re all here today. We’re all here today.
Let’s clap our hands and sing together.
Hip, hip, hooray!
Source: (To be honest, my library was using this before I started so I’m not sure where the previous librarian found it, but it looks like a modified version of Jean Warren’s Preschool Express song here.)

Open Shut Them
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Give a little clap, clap, clap.
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Put them in your lap, lap, lap.
Creep them, crawl them,
Creep them, crawl them,
Right up to your chin, chin, chin.
Open up your little mouth,
But do not put them in.
Source: King County Library System

Book – Show Me Happy by Kathryn Madeline Allen

The Grand Old Duke of York
Oh, the grand old Duke of York
He had ten thousand men
He marched them up
To the top of the hill and marched them down again
And when you’re up, you’re up
And when you’re down, you’re down
And when you’re only half way up
You’re neither up nor down
Source: Traditional

Two Little Black Birds
Two little black birds sitting on a hill
One named Jack and one named Jill
Fly away, Jack. Fly away, Jill.
Come back, Jack. Come back, Jill .
Two little blackbirds sitting in a car…Near and far
Two little blackbirds sitting on a cloud… Quiet and loud
Source: Traditional with variations from Jbrary

Roly Poly (Frere Jacques)
Roly poly, roly poly
Up, up, up. Up, up, up.
Roly roly poly. Roly roly poly.
Down, down, down. Down, down, down.
In/ out
Fast/ slow
Source: Jbrary

Book – Dinosaur Roar! by Paul and Henriettta Stickland

Dinosaur, Dinosaur,
Dinosaur, dinosaur, where can you be?
Hiding behind me, where no one can see
Now you see one,
She’s looking at you.
Here come the other
And now there are two
Source: King County Library System

This is Big
This is big big big
This is small small small
This is short short short
This is tall tall tall
This is fast fast fast
This is slow slow slow
This is yes yes yes
This is no no no
Source: Mel’s Desk and (shameless self-promotion) Storyblocks

Bubbles – best bubble machine ever! (IMHO, of course)

 Rainbows in my Bubbles
Tune of She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain)
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do
When I look up towards the sun,
They’ve got rainbows every one.
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do.
Source: Preschool Express

Good-bye Song
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with both feet now
Repeat with other body parts
Source: King County Library System

Play Time!

Early literacy tip:  Play with puzzles. Play matching and sorting games; notice what is alike and different. Include foam, magnet, and block letters in play.
Source: Saroj Ghoting

Other books that will work with this theme:
Kitty and Cat: Opposites Attract by Mirka Hokkanen
I’m Not Small – Nina Crews
Catside Up and Catside Down by Anna Hrachovec

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“Rain” Preschool Storytime!

preschool wind

Opening Song
I wiggle my fingers. I wiggle my toes.
I wiggle my ears. I wiggle my nose.
I wiggle my shoulders. I wiggle my chin.
I stretch my arms wide and pull them back in.
I wiggle my elbows. I wiggle my knees.
I hop like a bunny. I smile and say, “Cheese!”
Now I have no more wiggles left in me
And I sit on the floor as still as can be.
Source: Storytime with Jason

Book – Rain by Linda Ashman

Song – “Leaky Umbrella” by Jim Gill

Come Under My Umbrella
(Tune: The More we Get Together)
Come under my umbrella, umbrella, umbrella (arch arms over head like umbrella)
Come under my umbrella, it’s starting to rain. (wiggle fingers as hands descend)
With thunder and lightning (slap thighs for thunder, arms in air for lightning)
And thunder and lightning.
Come under my umbrella, it’s starting to rain.
Source: Jbrary

Up and Down Umbrellas
With each “up” throw your arms over your head and jump up. With each “down” bring your arms down to your sides.
Umbrellas go up, umbrellas go down
When rain clouds are dark, all over town.
One raindrop and two
Two raindrops and three
My up and down umbrella, is up over me.
Four raindrops and five
Six raindrops and seven
Raindrops are tumbling, down from the heaven.
Drip, drip, drip, drip! I’m as dry as can be.
My up and down umbrella, is up over me!
Source: King County Library System

Book – Windblown by Edouard Manceau

Felt Board – It Looked like Spilt Milk (based off the book by Charles G. Shaw)

The Wind is Blowing
(All Around the Mulberry Bush)
The wind is blowing all over the town,
Over the town, over the town
The wind is blowing all over the town,
Just like so. (Child blows)
Oh, the trees are bending way down low,
Way down low, way down low.
Oh, the trees are bending  way down low,
Just like so. (Child bends low)
Oh, the kites are flying. Watch them go,
Watch them go, high then low.
Oh, the kites are flying. Watch them go
Just like so.
Source: Preschool Express

Book- Rain by Manya Stojic
I use instruments with this book: egg shakers for rain, bells for lightning, rhythm sticks for thunder.

Song – Laurie Berkner’s “Boots”

 

Goodbye
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as high as we can
Good-bye! (in high, squeaky voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as low as we can
Good-bye! (in a deep voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as fast as we can
Good-bye! (very quick)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as slow as we can
Good-bye! (very slowly and drawn out)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as quiet as we can
Good-bye! (in a whisper)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as loud as we can
GOOD-BYE! (yelling)
Source: Jbrary

Early literacy tip: Repetition is crucial to learning. Every time you repeat a story, add another element, like a musical instrument. Use as many senses as possible. Humans remember:

  • 10% of what we read
  • 20% of what we hear
  • 30% of what we see
  • 50% of what we see and hear
  • 70% of what we say
  • 90% of what we say and do

Source: Changing Minds

 

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“Rain” Toddler Storytime

toddler rain

Opening Rhyme
(to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
We’re all here today. We’re all here today.
Let’s clap our hands and sing together.
Hip, hip, hooray!
Source: (To be honest, my library was using this before I started so I’m not sure where the previous librarian found it, but it looks like a modified version of Jean Warren’s Preschool Express song here.)

Where, oh Where are Baby’s Fingers?
(Tune: Ten Little Indians)
Where, oh where are baby’s fingers? Where, oh where are baby’s toes?
Where’s the baby’s belly button?
‘Round and round it goes
Where, oh where are baby’s ears?
Where, oh where is baby’s nose?
Where’s the baby’s belly button?
Round and round it goes.
Source: King County Library System

Book – Who Likes Rain? by Wong Herbert Yee

It’s Raining. It’s Pouring
It’s raining. It’s pouring.
The old man in snoring.
He went to bed and bumped his head
And couldn’t get up in the morning.
Source: Traditional

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Raindrops
One little, two little, three little raindrops,
Four little, five little, six little raindrops,
Seven little, eight little,
Nine little raindrops,
Ten little raindrops on my head.
(repeat with raindrops on other body parts, like nose, toes, etc.)
Source: King County Library System

The Itsy Bitsy Spider
The itsy bitsy spider
Went up the water spout. Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain.
And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.
Repeat with the big humoungous spider (big voice) and teeny weeny spider (small voice). 
Source: Adapted traditional

Book – Duckie’s Rainbow by Frances Barry

Rain Rain Go Away
Rain rain go away
Come again another day.
Little baby wants to play
Source: Traditional

This Little Wind
This little wind blows silver rain.
This little wind drifts snow.
This little wind sings a whistled tune.
This little wind croons low.
And this little wind rocks baby birds tenderly to and fro.
Source: Storytime Secrets

Rain is Falling Down
Farmer in the Dell
Rain is falling down, splash!
Rain is falling down, splash!
Pitter, patter, pitter, patter.
Rain is falling down, splash!
Sun is peeking out, peek-a-boo!
Sun is peeking out, peek-a-boo!
Peeking here, peeking there,
Sun is peeking out, peek-a-boo!
Source:  Jbrary

Bubbles – best bubble machine ever! (IMHO, of course)

 Rainbows in my Bubbles
Tune of She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain)
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do
When I look up towards the sun,
They’ve got rainbows every one.
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do.
Source: Preschool Express

Good-bye Song
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with one hand, then with the other
Wave with both feet now
Repeat with other body parts
Source: King County Library System

Early literacy tip:  Invite your child(ren) to draw pictures on white construction paper with pieces of colored chalk. Have them hold their pictures outside in the rain.  Or let them dip their fingers into water and sprinkle “raindrops” on their papers. What happens to the chalk colors when they become wet?  (They become brighter.) Talk about what happens and why.
Source: Preschool Express

Other books that could work for this theme: 
Let’s Go Puddling by Emma Perry and illustrated by Claire Alexander

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“Spring and Bunnies” preschool storytime

Preschool spring bunnies

Opening Song
I wiggle my fingers. I wiggle my toes.
I wiggle my ears. I wiggle my nose.
I wiggle my shoulders. I wiggle my chin.
I stretch my arms wide and pull them back in.
I wiggle my elbows. I wiggle my knees.
I hop like a bunny. I smile and say, “Cheese!”
Now I have no more wiggles left in me
And I sit on the floor as still as can be.
Source: Storytime with Jason

Book – The Little Rabbit who Liked to Say Moo by Jonathan Allen

Song: Lunch Money’s “Are you a Rabbit?

There was a Little Bunny
There was a little bunny who lived in the wood. (hold up two fingers)
He wiggled his ears as a good bunny should (wiggle on head)
He hopped by a squirrel. He hopped by a tree. (hop, hop)
He hopped by a duck. And he hopped by me. (hop, hop over fist)
He stared at the squirrel.  He stared at the tree. (stare, stare)
He stared at the duck. But he made faces at me! (stare, make faces)
Source: Storytime Katie

Book – The Easter Bunny’s Assistant  by Jan Thomas

Sleeping Bunnies
See the little bunnies sleeping
‘Til it’s nearly noon?
Shall we wake them with a merry tune?
Oh, so still. Are they ill?
Wake up little bunnies!
Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop
Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop
Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop
Hop little bunnies ‘til I say stop
Source: Russ (The original is not his, but I love his extra verses.)

Bunny Pokey
You put your paws in, you put your paws out
You put your paws in and
You shake them all about
You do the bunny pokey
As you hopn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about
Repeat with ears, tail
Source: Adapted tradtional

Here is a Green Leaf
Here is a green leaf, and here is a green leaf
And that makes two.
Here is a bud that makes the flower.
Now watch it bloom for you.
Source: Jbrary (I didn’t use scarves this time.)

Book – In my Garden: a Counting Book by Ward Schumacher

Sun in the Sky
(Tune: Skip to my Lou)
Sun in the sky; shine, shine, shine.
Sun in the sky; shine, shine, shine.
Sun in the sky; shine, shine, shine.
Help me with my garden.
Rain from the clouds, drip, drip, drip.
Seeds in the dirt, grow, grow, grow.

Song – Preschool of Rock “Growing Bigger” 

Goodbye
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as high as we can
Good-bye! (in high, squeaky voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as low as we can
Good-bye! (in a deep voice)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as fast as we can
Good-bye! (very quick)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as slow as we can
Good-bye! (very slowly and drawn out)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as quiet as we can
Good-bye! (in a whisper)
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam
Let’s say good-bye as loud as we can
GOOD-BYE! (yelling)
Source: Jbrary

Early literacy tip: Easter can be early literacy – oriented too! Coloring and painting eggs develops fine motor skills that can later be used when learning to write! Have your child sort eggs by sizes or colors. For older children, draw treasure maps they must follow to find their eggs or their baskets.

Other books that will work for this theme:
First Notes of Spring – Jessica Kulekjian
Tomorrow’s Lily – Chris Raschka

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Yogibrarian is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.