“Colors” preschool storytime

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 – Pete the Cat: I Love my White Shoes by Eric Litwin 

Song – Caspar Babypants “Stompy the Bear” (with corresponding felt board)

Two Little Blackbirds
Two little blackbirds 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- Mix It Up by Herve Tullet

Song- Jim Gill’s “Silly Dance Contest”

If You’re Wearing Red Today
Tune: Mary had a Little Lamb
If you’re wearing red today
Red today, red today
If you’re wearing red today,
Please stand up.
Repeat with other colors.
Source: King County Library System

Rain on the Green Grass
Rain on the green grass.
(flutter hands down to the ground)
Rain on the tree. (arms up like branches)
Rain on the rooftop (fingers together over head to make peak of roof)
But NOT on me!(brush shoulders with fingers)
Source:  King County Library System 

Felt Board – Little Mouse, Little Mouse, Are you in the Red House?

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: Teach both colors and numbers using this fun game: Make 2 dice, one with numbers on the sides and one with colors. (You can use square tissue boxes or other similar materials to make the dice.) Have your child roll each die to get a number and a color. Then, using paper and crayons, make that many dots of that color on a sheet of paper.

 

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“What a Wonderful World” yoga storytime

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 Sergeant Salutations from Kidding Around Yoga. 

Open Book
Arms, legs, both
Close the book. Open the book. Turn the page.
Start seated with arms stretched out in front of you, palms touching. To “open the book,” stretch the arms wide. To close it, bring them back together. To “turn the page,” open just the right arm and close it, then the left arm and close it. Repeat “turning pages” until the kids giggle. Repeat the whole sequence using legs instead of arms. Then try arms and legs together. 

Book – What a Wonderful World based on the song by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss, as sung by Louis Armstrong. Illustrated by Tim Hopgood

Song: Louis Armstrong and Friends- “What a Wonderful World”
Asana (poses):
I see trees of green (tree pose)
Red roses too (flower pose)
And I think to myself, “What a wonderful world” (hands at heart center in anjali mudra or namaste hands – repeat this mudra for every ” what a wonderful world”)
I see skies of blue and clouds of white (warrior III, both sides)
Bright blessed day and dark sacred night (extended mountain and then forward fold)
The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky… (either upward bow/wheel or down dog)
I see friends shaking hands… (thread the needle)
I hear babies cry… (happy baby pose)

Parachute GameSometimes life goes crazy (shake parachute). How do we calm it down? By taking deep breaths. Inhale the parachute up, and exhale it slowly all the way to the floor. Repeat several times. Think of scenarios where the “world goes crazy.” Your little brother stole your toy! Your teacher gave you homework! How do we make the world wonderful again? Deep breaths in and out.

Breathing ball

Savasana
This was a guided savasana. We thought about all the beautiful things in the world that make us happy. Trees of green, red roses too. Mountains, rivers. Moms, dads. Think to yourself silently, what a wonderful world.

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 craft

 

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Namaste!

“Clothing” preschool storytime

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 – Pete the Cat and his Four Groovy Buttons

Now You’re Getting Dressed
(Tune of London Bridge)
First put on your underwear,
underwear, underwear
First put on your underwear.
Now you’re getting dressed.
Stick your arms up in your shirt…
Pull your pants up to your waist…
Wiggle your toes down in your socks
Slip your shoes on, tie them tight,
Now you can go out and play
Source: Jen in the Library

Song – Laurie Berkner’s “Boots”

Washing in the Washing Machine
Washing in the washing machine,
Going round and round, (roll arms in a circle)
Washing in the washing machine,
Going up and down, (roll arms high and then low)
Round and round and up and down,
It makes a noisy sound, (roll arms in a circle, speeding up)
Faster, faster, faster, faster,
Stop!
Source: King County Library System

Book- I Want my Hat Back by Jon Klassen

Tall Hat Small Hat
Tall hat, (arms overhead)
Small hat (hands on head)
Big hat (arms outspread)
Cap (hands on head)
Let me take them off again (repeat motions in reverse)
And put them in my lap. (fold hands in lap)
Source: King County Library System

Ravioli
Tune: Aloutte
Ravioli, I like ravioli
Ravioli, it’s the stuff for me
Do I have it on my sleeve?
Yes, I haveit on my sleeve.
On my sleeve. On my sleeve. Ravioli…
Repeat with other clothing
Source: Scout Songs

Book – Animals Should Definitely NOT Wear Clothing by Judi Barrett

I Went to Bed and I Tried to Sleep
I went to bed and I tried to go to sleep
But somebody put (running shoes) on my feet! (run in place)
Repeat with ballet shoes, (dance) tap shoes, (tap dance) basketball,
(dribble and shoot) shoes, snow (ski) shoes..
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: Playing dress-up is not only a great way to teach your children narrative skills and broaden their imaginations, but it also teaches them about the uniforms and articles of clothing we see in the world around us.

 

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“Clothing” toddler storytime

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 – Pete the Cat: I Love my White Shoes by Eric Litwin

Old Shoes, New Shoes
Old shoes, new shoes,
Who is wearing red shoes?
One, two, three, four,
Stomp them, stomp them on the floor!
Replace red with other colors
 Last verse:Old shoes, new shoes,
Everyone is wearing shoes!
One, two, three, four,
Let’s all stomp them on the floor!
Source: Storytime Katie

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
One, two, buckle my shoe (pat foot)
Three, four, shut the door (clap)
Five, six, pick up sticks (show fingers)
Seven, eight, lay them straight (pat floor)
Nine, ten, a big fat hen!
(make wings and cluck)
Source: traditional

Put Your Pants On
(Tune: Mama’s Little Baby Loves Shortnin’ Bread)
Let’s all put our pants on,
Pants on, pants on,
Let’s all put our pants on, 1, 2, 3.
Now that you’re all dressed, All dressed, all dressed,
Now that you’re all dressed, Let’s go out to play.
Repeat with other articles of clothing (socks or tights, shoes, etc.)
Source: Storytime Hooligans

Book – What Color is Your Underwear? by Sam Lloyd

Washing Machine
Washing in the washing machine,
Going round and round,
(roll arms in a circle)
Washing in the washing machine,
Going up and down,
(roll arms high and then low)
Round and round and up and down,It makes a noisy sound,
(roll arms in a circle, speeding up)
Faster, faster, faster, faster,
Stop!
Source: King County Library System

Diddle Diddle Dumpling
Diddle diddle dumpling,
My son John.
Went to bed with his trousers on.
One shoe off, one shoe on.
Diddle diddle dumpling,
My son John.
Source: Traditional 

My Silly Hat
Tune: This Old Man
On my head I wear my hat.
It is such a silly hat that my head will wiggle waggle to and fro
Where else can my silly hat go?
(foot, elbow, knee…)
On my hands I wear my hat.
It is such a quiet hat that my
hands don’t wiggle. They just go clap.
Then I fold them in my lap.
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

Early literacy tip:  Good narrative skills lead to good reading comprehension. Tell your child stories – even short ones. Engage in conversation with even the youngest of children. Ask your baby, “Should we get dressed now?” (pause) “Okay, let’s get dressed! First we’ll take off your pajamas…” Ask your toddler or preschooler what happened to them during their day, and then ask for more details.
Source: Ferguson Library

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“It’s my birthday, and I’ll read what I want to” (Miss Andrea’s favorites) preschool storytime

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 – No, No, Kitten! by Shelley Moore Thomas

Banana
Calling bananas of the world!
Bananas unite. Bananas split.
Slide to the left and slide to the right
Peel your banana and, yum, take a bite!
Go Bananas, go go bananas!
Go Bananas, go go bananas!
Source: King County Library System 

Song – “Airplane” by Laurie Berkner 

A Ram Sam Sam
A ram sam sam
A ram sam sam
Guli guli guli guli guli
Ram sam sam
A rafi, a rafi,
Guli guli guli guli guli
A ram sam sam
Source: Storyblocks 

Book – This Book Just Ate my Dog! by Richard Byrne 

 Felt Board – Five Hungry Ants
Five hungry ants were marching in a line
They came across a picnic
Where they could dine.
They marched into the salad.
They marched into the cake.
They marched into the pepper.
Uh-oh, that was a mistake.
A-a-a-CHOO!
Source: King County Library System
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 – Is Everyone Ready for Fun? by Jan Thomas 

Song – Mr. Eric’s “Dance, Freeze, Melt”

Felt Board – Pigs and Pancakes
Source: Fun with Friends at 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: Celebrate Miss Andrea’s birthday week by reading and dancing with your kiddos!

More books
Your Birthday was the Best – Maggie Hutchins

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“It’s my birthday so I’ll read what I want to” (Miss Andrea’s favorites) toddler storytime

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 – Baby Danced the Polka by Karen Beaumont

Song: Laurie Berkner’s “Goldfish“

A Ram Sam Sam
A ram sam sam
A ram sam sam
Guli guli guli guli guli
Ram sam sam
A rafi, a rafi,
Guli guli guli guli guli
A ram sam sam
Source: Storyblocks

 Book – The Biggest Thing in the Ocean

Song – “Slippery Fish”

Two Little Blackbirds
Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill.
One named Jack and one named Jill.
Fly away Jack, flay away Jill.
Come back Jack, come back Jill.
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:  To celebrate Miss Andrea’s birthday week, read and dance with your kiddos!

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“Mother’s Day” preschool storytime

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 Bad Bunny by Franny Billingsley

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: Jbrary

5 Little Monkeys
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped her head
Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said,
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”
Source: Traditional 

Book – Bark, George! by Jules Feiffer

Song – Jim Gill’s “Silly Dance Contest”

A Kiss
There’s something in my pocket.
Could it be a moose?
Could it be a train with a bell and a caboose?
Could it be a snake or some sticky glue?
Right here in my pocket is a KISS from me to you!
Blow kiss.
Source: King County Library System

Book – My Mom by Anthony Browne

Mother Gooney Bird
Mother gooney bird and seven chicks,
Seven chicks and mother gooney bird.
They couldn’t walk, and they couldn’t talk.
But they all could go like this!
Repeat the song a total of five times.
For the first verse, stomp one foot to the beat.
For the third verse, stomp both feet to the beat.
For the fourth verse, stomp both feet and wave both elbows to the beat.
For the fifth verse, stomp both feet, wave both elbows, and bob your head to the beat.
Source: The Learning Groove

If You Love Mom and You Know It
If you love mom and you know it,
clap your hands.
If you love mom and you know it,
clap your hands.
If you love mom and you know it,
then your face will surely show it.
If you love mom and you know it,
clap your hands.
Blow a kiss
Give a hug
Say, “I love you”
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: Let children practice their fine motor movement, dexterity, creativity, and early writing skills by designing their own Mother’s Day cards.

Other books that would work for this theme
My Mother was a Nanny by Laura James

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“Mother’s Day” Toddler storytime

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- Whose Chick are You? by Nancy Tafuri

Here is a Kiss and a Hug for You
Tune:  “Mary had a Little Lamb”
Here is a kiss and a hug for you,
Hug for you, hug for you.
Here is a kiss and a hug for you,
Happy Mother’s Day.
I love you for what you do,
What you do, what you do.
I love you for what you do,
Happy Mother’s Day.
Source: Preschool Express

Scarf Play
Peek-a-boo
Scarf Toss (literally, just tossing the scarves in the air, while saying, “1,2,3 – weee!!!!)

Scarf Song
(tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
My scarf goes up. My scarf goes down.
My scarf goes around, around, around, around, around.
My scarf goes in. My scarf comes out.
My scarf flies about, about, about, about, about.
Source: No clue where I originally saw or heard this, but here is a PDF.)

Scarf Play: This is the Way
This is the way we wash our hair,
Wash out hair, wash our hair
This is the way we wash our hair
So early in the morning
(Continue with different body parts)
Source: Adapted traditional

Book – The Mommy Book by Todd Parr

Pat-a-cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man,
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it, and pat it, and mark it with a “B”
And put it in the oven for Baby and me!
Source: Traditional

If You Love Me and You Know It
If you love mom and you know it,
clap your hands.
If you love mom and you know it,
clap your hands.
If you love mom and you know it,
then your face will surely show it.
If you love mom and you know it,
clap your hands.
Say, “I love you”
Blow a kiss
Give a hug
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:  Encourage your child to explore objects and toys in different ways. Touching, banging, shaking, and rolling help children understand how things work. Talk to your child about what he/she is doing: “You got the truck to move by pulling the string!”
Source: Zero to Three

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