“Summertime” 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 – Mouse’s First Summer by Lauren Thompson

Sun and Cloud
The big round sun in a summer sky,
(Raise arms to form circle over head)
Winked at a cloud that was passing by.
(Wink and make an oval cloud shape with hands)
The gray cloud laughed
As it scattered rain.
(Pretend to scatter rain with fingers)
Then out came the big round sun again.
(Raise arms to form circle over head)
Source: Hummingbird 

This is the Way we go to the Beach
This is the way we put on our suit
Put on our suit, put on our suit.
This is the way we put on our suit
So early in the morning!
Put on our flippers
Wear water wings
Put on our goggles
Source: Adapted traditional

 Book – At the Beach by Anne and Harlow Rockwell

Sand Castle Tune: “The Hokey Pokey”
You put some sand in.
You take some sand out.
You put some sand in
And you shape it all about.
You make a sand castle
With towers all around.
That’s what it’s all about!

You put some shells in
You take some shells out.
You put some shells in
And you place them all about.
You make a sand castle
With shells all around.
That’s what it’s all about!
Source: Preschool Express

I Walked to the Beach
I walked to the beach,
(Swing arms and walk in place)
And what did I see?
(Put hands over eyes, looking)
A lot of little fish,
(Place hands together, wiggle)
Looking at me!
(Point to self)
I jumped into the water,
(Jump)
And splashed all around.
(Put palms down; make splashing motions.)
The fish swam away,
(Place hands together; wiggle)
And didn’t make a sound!
(Put fingers to lips)
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: Share your child’s wonder when he makes new discoveries. The simplest objects offer important lessons. Point out rocks that are big and small; houses that are red, yellow, blue; and trees that are short and tall. Children pick up these concepts best when they learn about them through their everyday experiences. Encourage him to use his body to explore—to push his stroller, bend down to examine objects, climb stairs. This gives him confidence that he can use his body to get what or where he wants.
Source: Too Small to Fail

 

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Other books that would work for this theme:
Summer Fun – Anita Bijsterbosch

“Ocean Silliness” 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 – I’m the Best Artist in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry 

Jellyfish Jiggles
A jellyfish jiggles. An octopus wiggles.
A green turtle glides. A slippery fish slides.
But the great big whale goes SPLASH!
Source: I thought this came from King County LIbrary System, but I can’t seem to find it. 

Mr. Lobster and Mrs. Crab
Mr. Lobster and Mrs. Crab
Pinch and snap all day
Mr. Lobster and Mrs. Crab
Pinch and snap all day
With a pinch, pinch here
And a snap, snap there
Here a pinch, there a snap,
Everywhere a pinch, snap
Mr. Lobster and Mrs. Crab
Pinch and snap all day.
Source:  Storytime Katie

Book – This is Not my Hat 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.
And put them in my lap.
Source: King County Library System
Song: “Goldfish” Laurie Berkner

One, Two, Three, Four, Five
One, two, three, four, five,
(hold up fingers one by one, while counting)
Once I caught a fish alive.
(put hands together and wiggle like a fish)
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten,
Then I threw it back again.
(make throwing motion)
Why did you let it go?
(hold hands out asking why)
Because it bit my finger so.
(shake hand, as if hurt)
Which finger did it bite?
This little finger on my right.
(wiggle pinky finger)
Source: Mansfield/Richland Public Library

Book – Shark in the Park by Nick Sharratt

Baby Shark
Baby shark (Doo doo doo doo doo doo)
Make a shark mouth with thumb and pointer
Baby shark (Doo doo doo doo doo doo)
Baby shark (Doo doo doo doo doo doo)
Repeat with Mama Shark, Daddy Shark, Grandma Shark, Surfer, etc.
Source: Miss Nina

Three Little Fish (Three Blind Mice)
Three little fish, three little fish
(hold up three fingers)
See how they swim, see how they swim
(make swimming motion with arms)
Round and Round and fast they go
(“swim” fast – sing fast)
Now they are going very slow
(“swim” slow-also sign slow)
Three little fish, three little fish
(hold up 3 fingers again)
Source: Preschool Education

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: Kids learn through sensory interaction, or using their five senses. Let kids play in water, or in sand, to really get a sense of the ocean and what it is like. Add some salt to the water, and let them taste too!

 

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“Superheroes” 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 

Song: Karma Kids Yoga “Little Yoga Clock”

Sun Salutations – I use a call and response version of Sergeant Salutations from Kidding Around Yoga. To change it up every time, along with the theme, today we said (instead of butterflies): Superheroes up! Villains go down.

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 – Superhero School by Thierry Robberecht

Asana (poses):
Page: “During flying lessons…” –  half moon pose, fall to “stone” or child’s/ devotional pose
Page: “In the gym, the superheroes lift cars…” – lift a car by starting in yogic squat and lift up to extended mountain
Page: “Every student is good at something….Some can spit fire….” – Have the children spit fire with lion’s breath.
Page: “Then one day during class…” – Have the children pretend to be monsters. No exact poses, just go nuts.
Page: “We’ll show that potbelly everything we’ve learned…” – Archer pose
Page: “…but it’s too late. And there is the monster…” Tickle the kids’ feet with a feather.

Warrior poses
Warrior I – Say, “I am strong.”
Warrior II – Say, “I am brave.”
Reverse warrior – Say, ” I am peaceful.”
Warrior III – Say, “I am a superhero.”
Repeat on the other side.

Breathing ball

Savasana
This was a guided savasana. We imagined we were in a superhero school. Some of the kids could become invisible. Some could walk through walls. We thought about what our superpower would be and how we could use it to save the day. (60 second meditation).

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

Coloring star mandalas

Namaste!

 

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“Sleepytime” 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.)

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 – Baby Danced the Polka by Karen Beaumont

Five in the Bed
Five bears in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over. Roll over.”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out,
Four bears in the bed,
And the little one said…
Count down until one bear left
Alternate ending when one bear is left:
tune of He’s Got the Whole World in his Hands)
I’ve got the whole bed to myself
Source: Traditional with extra ending from King County Library System

Rock-a-bye, baby
Rock-a-bye, baby in the treetop
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall
And down will come baby, cradle and all
Source: Traditional

Book – Good Night, Sleep Tight by Mem Fox

All My Fingers Go to Sleep
Tune: London Bridge
All my fingers go to sleep (open hands wide)
Go to sleep, go to sleep (slowly curl fingers into a fist)
All my fingers go to sleep.
Now wake up! (quickly open hands again)
Source: King County Library System

Baby’s Nap
Here is a baby ready for a nap.
(Hold up pointer finger)
Lay him down in his mommy’s lap.
(Lay pointer finger in palm of other hand)
Cover him up so he won’t peep.
(Curl fingers over pointer finger)
Rock him till he’s fast asleep.
(Rock finger back and forth gently)
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: Use fabric to encourage baby to move. Turn on some music and wave fabric to the melody. If baby is old enough to sit up, she can sway along with the fabric. Alternatively, spread fabric on the ground and pretend that it is a pool to swim in. Help baby kick those feet and swing those arms. Or tie fabric pieces to chairs to create a tunnel to crawl under.
Source: Suite 101 (no longer in existence)

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“Father’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 – Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein 

Song – “Silly Dance Contest” Jim Gill

Felt Board – Daddy’s Ties

Book – Knuffle Bunny: a Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems

 Song: “Are You a Rabbit?” – Lunch Money 

If You Love Dad and You Know It
If you love Dad, and you know it
Clap your hands
If you love Dad, and you know it
Clap your hands
If you love Dad and you know it
And you really want to show it
If you love Dad, and you know it
Clap your hands
Give a hug, , blow a kiss, say I love you
Source: Adapted Traditional

Book – You can do Anything, Daddy! by Michael Rex

Hello, my Name is Joe
Hello, my name is Joe
I’ve got a house, and a dog, and a family,
I work in a button factory,
One day the boss came up to me and said
Hey Joe, Are you busy? I said no,
Push the button with your left hand.
Other verses, continuing with the first and building: 
Right hand, left foot, right foot, head, tongue
Source: I knew this as an old camp song, but here is a Jbrary clip.

Song: “Ziggy Says” by Ziggy Marley

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: Be a role model for your child. It is important for children to see both parents reading. When fathers read to their children (especially to their sons), it not only creates a bond but also boosts academic performance. 

 

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“Father’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.)

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 – My Dad by Anthony Browne 

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.)

This is the Way Dad…
This is the way dad paints the house
Paints the house, paints the house
This is way dad paints the house
So early in the morning
This is the way dad shaves his beard
This is the way dad drives the car
Source: Adapted traditional
*EDIT: Add other tasks like cooking and cleaning to combat gender role stereotypes.*

Book – Peck Peck Peck by Lucy Cousins (with wooden clapper)

Daddy Daddy
(Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)
Daddy, daddy let me say
I love you in every way
I love you for all you do
I love you for being you
Daddy, Daddy let me say
Have a happy Father’s Day!
Source: Kids Soup

D-A-D-D-Y
I have a very special friend,
And Daddy is his name-o,
D-a-d-d-y, D-a-d-d-y, D-a-d-d-y,
and Daddy is his name-o!

He always loves and cares for me,
And Daddy is his name-o,
D-a-d-d-y, D-a-d-d-y, D-a-d-d-y,
and Daddy is his name-o!
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: Be a role model for your child. It is important for children to see both parents reading. When fathers read to their children (especially to their sons), it not only creates a bond but also boosts later academic performance. 

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“Jumping” 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 – If You Hopped like a Frog by David M. Scwartz

Jack in the Box
Jack in the box
Stays down in his box
‘Til somebody opens the lid
SURPRISE!
Source: King County Library System

Exercise Every Day
Tune: “The Farmer in the Dell”
Take care of your heart.
Exercise today.
Jump and jump and jump
When you’re out at play.
Source: Preschool Express

Book- Bounce by Doreen Cronin

Music- Jim Gill’s “Jumping and Counting”

Baby Kangaroo
Jump, jump jump goes the big kangaroo
(Make fist with one hand, index finger pointing up, fist jumps)
I thought there was one, but I see there are two.
(Index finger of other hand comes up between thumb and index of  “mom” to make a joey.)
The mother takes her young one along in a pouch. (rub belly)
Where he can nap like a child on a couch. (hands under head, like sleeping)
Jump, jump, jump. Jump, jump, jump.
Source: I can’t find where I got this rhyme from. I thought it was KCLS, but they may have since removed it from Tell Me a Story. 

Scarf Play – Popcorn Kernels
Tune of Frere Jacques
Popcorn Kernels (wave scarves overhead)
In the pot (make their scarves ‘disappear’ by bunching them up in their fists)
Shake them shake them shake them (shake)
’til they POP (Toss scarves up into the air)
Source: Jbrary

Book- Who Hops? by Katie Davis

 Walking, Walking
Tune: Frere Jacques
Walking, walking. Walking, walking
Hop, hop, hop. Hop, hop, hop
Running, running, running. Running, running, running
Now we stop. Now we stop

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
Source:  Russ

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: Just as we teach children the A-B-C’s as the building blocks for reading, we should teach the foundations of movement. This gives children a greater fitness level and increased confidence.   Fine tuning motor skills will also aid children in holding books, turning pages, and, later, in learning to write.

 

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“Ocean” 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 – I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean! by Kevin Sherry

Song – Slippery Fish (I have no idea who sings the version of Slippery Fish that I have, but it’s a male vocalist with minimal accompaniment. I so much prefer this to any of the female versions I can find. If anyone knows who this is, please let me know!)

Felt Board – Fishies (from Nancy Stewart)
There are so many fishies
In the deep blue sea.
What color fishie do you see?
The Whales Live in the Sea
The whales live in the sea.
The whales live in the sea.
Heigh-ho, watch them blow.
The whales live in the sea.
The crabs live in the sea. Heigh-ho, they scurry so.
The octopus lives in the sea. Heigh-ho, they live in holes.
The sharks live in the sea. Heigh-ho, watch them go.
The oysters live in the sea. Heigh-ho, they burrow below.
Source: Preschool Express

Mr. Lobster and Mrs. Crab
(tune: Old MacDonald)
Mr. Lobster and Mrs. Crab
Pinch and snap all day
Mr. Lobster and Mrs. Crab
Pinch and snap all day
With a pinch, pinch here
And a snap, snap there
Here a pinch, there a snap,
Everywhere a pinch, snap
Mr. Lobster and Mrs. Crab
Pinch and snap all day.
Source: Storytime Katie

Book – Shark in the Park by Nick Sharrat

I Have a Little Turtle
I have a little turtle.
He lives in a box. (draw box in the air)
He swims in the water, (swim hands)
He climbs on the rocks.
(walk fingers along forearm)
He snapped at a minnow,
(clap hands in air for each creature)
He snapped at a flea,
He snapped at a mosquito,
And he snapped at me.
He caught the minnow,
He caught the flea,
He caught the mosquito,
But he didn’t catch me!
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:  When reading to your baby, don’t worry about following the text exactly. Stop once in a while and ask questions or make comments on the pictures or text. (“Where’s the kitty? There he is! What a cute black kitty.”) Your child might not be able to respond yet, but this lays the groundwork for doing so later on.
Source: Kids Health

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“Superhero!” 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 – Superhero ABC by Bob McLeod

Song – “Growing Bigger” Preschool of Rock

Up, Up and Away!
Put your hands way up high (arms up in air)
Like Superkid flying across the sky
Fly to the left, now fly to the right
Now show me your muscles
With all your might (make arm muscles)
Now Superkid’s putting his suit away
(bring arms down slowly)
So he can go flying another day
Source: Colorado State Library

Five Superheroes Countdown
5 superheroes ready to fly
Here comes the villain, Stop that guy!
This superhero can save the day.
Off he flies – up, up, and away!
Count down until no superheroes left
Source: Jbrary

Book – The Day I Lost my Superpowers by Michael Escoffier

If You’re a Hero and You Know It
If you’re a hero and you know it,
Climb tall buildings
If you’re a hero and you know it,
Climb tall buildings
If you’re a hero, and you know it
And you really want to show it
If you’re a hero and you know it,
Use X-ray vision
Stop a bullet
Lift a car
Source: Adapted traditional

Sometimes I Am Tall
Sometimes I am tall. (stretch up on toes)
Sometimes I am small. (crouch down)
Sometimes I am very, very tall.
(stretch up and reach arms up)
Sometimes I am very, very small.
(crouch low to floor)
Sometimes tall…(stretch up)
Sometimes small…(crouch low)
See how I am now. (sit)
Source: King County Library System

 Book – My Mom has X-ray Vision by Angela McAllister

Song- Jim Gill’s “Spaghetti Legs” 

Superhero, Superhero
Superhero, superhero turn around
Superhero, superhero touch the ground
Superhero, superhero put on your suit
Superhero, superhero put on your boots.
Superhero, superhero, jump up high
Superhero, superhero, fly, fly, fly
Source: Jbrary

Felt Board: Find the stolen money!
I made up a “rhyme” for this one (not my best work):
Help! A robber has stolen money from the bank!
The money is now hidden behind one of these stars.
Let’s use our superhero powers to find it and save the day!
With our x-ray vision,
we’re on a mission.
Under which number star
has the money been hidden?
Source: Falling Flannelboards

Did You Ever See a Superhero?
Did you ever see a hero, a hero, a hero,
Did you ever see a hero flying through the sky?
Fly this way and that way,
And that way and this way
Did you ever see a hero flying through the sky?
Verses: Putting on their cape, hopping on one foot, saving the day, twirling around
Source: Jbrary

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: “Free play,” as scientists call it, is critical for becoming socially adept, coping,  and building cognitive skills such as problem solving. Research into animal behavior confirms play’s benefits and establishes its evolutionary importance: ultimately, play may provide animals (including humans) with skills that will help them survive.
Source: Scientific American

 

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“Farm Friends” 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.)

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 – Clip Clop by Nicola Smee 

Walking Ol’ Joe
Walking Ol’Joe, walking ol’ Joe
You’re the best horse in the county-o
Walking ol’ Joe, walking Ol’ Joe
WHOA, JOE!
Other verses: Trotting ol’ Joe
Galloping ol’ Joe
Source: Intellidance

This Little Piggy
This little piggy went to market,
This little piggy stayed home,
This little piggy had roast beef,
This little piggy had none,
And this little piggy cried wee wee wee
All the way home.
Source: Traditional 

Ten Galloping Horses
10 galloping horses came through the town
5 were white, and 5 were brown.
They galloped up, and they galloped down
10 galloping horses came through the town
Source: King County Library System

Book – Hurry Hurry by Eve Bunting

Song (with egg shakers)- Laurie Berkner “I Know a Chicken” 

Chicken in the Barnyard
Chicken in the barnyard
Staying out of trouble
(draw a little circle in child’s palm)
Along came a turkey
(slowly creep fingers up arm)
And . . . “Gobble, gobble, gobble!”
(tickle underarm, or move in for a gobble on child’s neck)
Source: King County Library System

Song (with puppets) – The Learning Groove “Old MacDonald“ 

Mr. Turkey and Mr. Duck
Mr. Turkey went out one day (one hand comes from behind back and makes a beak)
In the bright sunshiny weather
He met Mr. Duck along the way (other hand comes from behind back and makes a beak)
And they stopped to talk together.
Gobble, gobble, gobble (hands “talk” to each other)
Quack, quack, quack.
Gobble, gobble, gobble
Quack, quack, quack.
Gobble, gobble, gobble
Quack, quack, quack.
And then they both went back. (both hands behind back)
Quack!
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:  Social-Emotional Development The development of strong attachment relationships with family and primary caregivers may be the central task of infancy. It is in the context of warm, loving relationships that infants learn to trust, to feel safe exploring their worlds, and to develop a sense of competence and confidence in their own ability to master new skills. This growing sense of self-esteem and personal identity prepares them for later success as communication partners, readers, and writers.
Source: Zero to Three

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