Monthly Archives: August 2015

“Houses” 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: This is Our House by Hyewon Yum

Song – Barry G. and the Dream Jam Kids’ “Hammer Ring”

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 over head to make peak of roof)
But NOT on me! (brush shoulders with fingers)
Source: Kind County Library System

Here is a House
Here is a house built up high
(hands over head to make a roof)
With two big chimneys
Reaching for the sky (raise arms up high)
Here is a window (draw a square)
Here is a door (pretend to open a door)
If we look inside (peek through fingers)
There’s a mouse on the floor!
(scamper fingers away)
Source: Storytime Katie

Book: A Den, a Tree, a Nest is Best by John Lithgow

Here’s a Quiet Little Mouse
Here’s a quiet little mouse
Living in a quiet little house
(hold thumb in fist)
When all was quiet as could be
OUT popped he! (pop out thumb)
Source: Storytime Katie

Felt Board – Little Mouse, Little Mouse, are you in the house?

Boing! Boing! Squeak!
Boing! Boing! Squeak!
Boing! Boing! Squeak!
A bouncing mouse is in my house
He’s been here for a week.
He bounces in the kitchen, (lean to one side)
He bounces in the den, (lean to the other side)
He bounces in the living room,
Look! There he goes again!
Boing! Boing! Squeak!
Boing! Boing! Squeak!
A bouncing mouse is in my house,
He’s been here for a week.
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: Little ones can be engineers too! Let toddlers play and develop engineering skills at the same time. They can make houses with Duplo blocks, fly paper airplanes, and race rocks down ramps. Use words like “arc” and “angle” to introduce vocabulary.

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“The Letter B” 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

Alphabet Monster (with puppet)
I’m the Alphabet Monster
And nothing tastes better
To the Alphabet Monster
Than eating a letter.
Today I will eat a “B” if I may
With the million more letters
I munch every day.
I’m hungry now. What shall I do?
I think I’ll eat a “y” an “o” and a “u” . . . . . . That means YOU!
Source: Storyblocks (adapted)

Book – Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson

Song – “Stompy the Bear” Caspar Babypants (with felt board of different color bears)

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

Book – Baby Danced the Polka by Karen Beaumont

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 (I like the extra verses in this version.)

Song – Preschool of Rock’s “Growing Bigger”

Book – Bark, George! by Jules Feiffer

Boing! Boing! Squeak!
Boing! Boing! Squeak!
Boing! Boing! Squeak!
A bouncing mouse is in my house
He’s been here for a week.
He bounces in the kitchen, (lean to one side)
He bounces in the den, (lean to the other side)
He bounces in the living room,
Look! There he goes again!
Boing! Boing! Squeak!
Boing! Boing! Squeak!
A bouncing mouse is in my house,
He’s been here for a week.
Source: King County Library System

Here is the Beehive
Here is the beehive
But where are the bees?
Hidden away where nobody sees.
Soon they’ll come creeping out of the hive.
One! Two! Three! Four! Five!
BZZZZZZ!!!!!
Back in the hive bees!
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: Field trips provide an opportunity for kids to relate what they see and hear about in books to real life. Take a nature walk or a trip to the zoo to provide kids a more enriching learning experience.

Other books:
Did You Take the B from my _ook? – Beck and Matt Stanton
There’s a Bison Bouncing on the Bed – Paul Bright
Don’t Blink – Amy Krause Rosenthal
A Bear, A Bee, and a Honey Tree – Daniel Bernstrom

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“Getting Silly” 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

Laughter Meditation
We lied on our backs and pedaled like we were riding a bicycle. As we rode along, I asked the kids what they saw. To start them off, I said I see a plate of spaghetti riding through the sky. Then I saw Grandma doing cartwheels. The kids then took over and said they saw hot air balloons, dinosaurs, etc. After each silly thing we saw, we laughed. Laughter meditation incorporates a “fake it till you make it” attitude. When you are feeling down, force yourself to laugh. The good feelings will follow. (I also think lying on your back so the blood rushes to your head helps.)

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 – Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett
Orange: happy baby
Pear: Squat/ horse
Apple: Tree
Bear: 5 pointed star

Song: Kidding Around Yoga “Head Shoulders Yoga Pose”

Pass the ball with your foot
Sit in a circle and pass a small ball around to each person using only your feet.

Song – Kidding Around Yoga’s Stinky Feet (with lavender essential oil)

Breathing ball

Savasana
This was a guided savasana. We imagined we were back on our bikes. I asked the kids to look at the sky and feel the warmth of the sun. I asked them to feel the wind on their faces. I then asked them to remember the silly things we had imagined earlier and to now come up with three more silly things but keep them silently to themselves. It was so joyous to see them lying on the mats giggling quietly. (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

Mandala coloring

Namaste!

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“Nursery Rhymes” toddler storytime, take 2

Yes, AGAIN. Nursery rhymes are that important.

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- Old Mother Hubbard illustrated by Jane Cabrera

Jack Be Nimble
Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack jump over the candle stick.
Source: Traditional
The Wheels on the Bus
The wheels on the bus go
Round and round,
Round and round, round and round,
The wheels on the bus go
Round and round,
All through the town.
The people on the bus go up and down…
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish…
The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep…
The babies on the bus go wah, wah, wah…
The driver on the bus says move on back…
Source: Traditional

Rub-a-Dub-Dub
Rub-a-dub-dub,
Three men in a tub.
And who do you think they be?
The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker
And out they jumped, all three!
Source: Traditional

Book – The Little Dog Laughed and Other Nursery Rhymes from Mother Goose illustrated by Lucy Cousins

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

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

The Grand Old Duke of York
The grand old Duke of York
He had 10 thousand men
He marched them up to the top of the hill
Then he marched them down again
And when they were up, they were up
And when they were down, they were down
And when they were only half-way up
They were neither up nor down
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

Play Time!

Early literacy tip: Nursery rhymes are short and rhythmic, which makes them easy for children to learn and memorize. As children hear, sing or read nursery rhymes, they develop “phonemic awareness” or the ability to detect the individual sounds that make up words, a crucial first step in learning to read. Nursery rhymes, especially Mother Goose rhymes, also introduce children to new vocabulary which increases comprehension and benefits learning in all subjects.
Source: Mother Goose Club

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“Cows” toddler storytime

Book – There’s a Cow in the Cabbage Patch by Clare Beaton

Who said Moo?
I went to a farm when I was two,
And on that farm, I heard a moo!
Who said moo? Horse, did you?
No way! Horse said, neigh!
Who said, moo? Lamb, did you?
No ha-ha! Lamb said,baa!
Who said, moo? Cat, did you?
He didn’t know how. Cat said, meow!
Who said, moo? Dog, did you?
That would be tough. Dog said, ruff!
Who said, moo? Hen, did you?
No suck luck. Hen said, cluck!
I was feeling so sad, I wanted to cry,
When a black and white cow, Came walking by.
Do you know what she said? I think you do.
Let’s say it together: The cow said: MOOOOOO!!!
Source: King County Library System

Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Old MacDonald had a farm,
Ee i ee i oh!
And on his farm he had some cows,
Ee i ee i oh!
With a moo moo here,
And a moo moo there
Here a moo, there a moo,
Everywhere a moo moo
Old MacDonald had a farm
Ee i ee i oh!
Hens…cluck
Pigs…oink
Sheep…baa
Source: Traditional

Can You Shake Your Egg with Me (with shaker eggs)
(tune: London Bridge)
Can you shake your egg with me,
Egg with me, egg with me
Can you shake your egg with me
It’s as easy as can be
Now put it on your knee!
(Repeat with head, tummy, etc.)
Source: King County Library System

Book – Wow, It’s a Cow! by Trudy and Jay Harris

This Little Cow
This little cow eats grass (wiggle thumb)
And this little cow eats hay (index finger)
This little cow drinks water (wiggle tall)
And this little cow runs away (wiggle ring finger)
But this little cow does nothing (wiggle pinkie)
But just lies down all day. (tap pinkie)
We’ll chase him and chase him (tickle child)
And chase him away.
Source: King County Library System

When Cows Get Up in the Morning
When cows get up in the morning, they always say good day.
When cows get up in the morning, they always say good day.
They say moo moo moo moo, that is what they say.
They say moo moo moo moo, that is what they say.
Source: Washington County Cooperative Library Services

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

Play Time!

Early literacy tip: Talk to your baby, even though she doesn’t understand you yet. Have conversations throughout the day–during feeding, diapering and bathing, on errands, and during other daily routines. When you talk, use words to tell your baby the names of objects, to point out and describe what is happening, and to explain what will happen next. By talking, you explore the world together, teach your baby the sounds, rhythm, and purpose of language, and make a loving connection
Source: PBS

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“The Letter A” preschool storytime

Alphabet Monster (with puppet)
I’m the Alphabet Monster
And nothing tastes better
To the Alphabet Monster
Than eating a letter.
Today I will eat an “A” if I may
With the million more letters
I munch every day.
I’m hungry now. What shall I do?
I think I’ll eat a “y” an “o” and a “u” . . . . . . That means YOU!
Source: Storyblocks (adapted)

Book – There Once was a Cowpoke who Swallowed an Ant by Helen Ketteman

Felt Board – Five Hungry Ants
Five hungry ants
were marching in a line.
They came upon 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-achoo!!
Four hungry ants…

Laurie Berkner – “The Airplane Song”

Alligator, Alligator
Alligator, alligator, long and green
Alligator, alligator, teeth so mean
Snapping at a fly, snapping at a bee
Snapping at a frog, but you can’t catch me
Source: King County Library System

Book – Snip Snap What’s That? by Mara Bergman

Alligator Elevator
An alligator went for an elevator ride
Said the elevator operator, “Step inside”
First floor, second floor, up and down
It’s the only alligator elevator in town!
Source: King County Library System

A is for Alligator, Chomp, Chomp, Chomp
A is for alligator, chomp, chomp, chomp!
B is for bouncing, hop, hop, hop!
C is for circle, round and round.
D is for dizzy, all sit down!
Source: King County Library System

Book – When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang

If You’re Angry and You Know It
If you’re angry and you know it, stomp your feet
If you’re angry and you know it, stomp your feet
If you’re angry and you know it,
And you really want to show it
If you’re angry and you know it, stomp your feet
If you’re crying and you know it, wipe your tears
If you’re happy and you know it, shout “Hurray!”
Source: Adapted traditional

Arms Up High
Arms up high above your head
Arms down low beside you
Arms up high above your head
Smile and wave your hand.
Repeat, ending with…
Smile and clap your hands.
Smile and brush your nose.
Smile and touch your toes.
Smile and tickle somebody.
Source: King County Library System

Early literacy tip: On a day when someone is not feeling well, it can be fun to play that you are sick. One person is the patient, and one is the caregiver. This allows for lots of chances to talk about how medicine, doctors, nurses, and simple TLC make us feel better.

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“Bath Time” toddler storytime

Book: Bubble Bath Pirates by Jarrett J. Krosoczak

If You Want to be a Pirate
(If You’re Happy and You Know It)
If you’re a pirate, and you know it
Swab the deck
If you’re a pirate, and you know it
Swab the deck
If you’re a pirate, and you know it
If you’re a pirate, and you know it
If you’re a pirate, and you know it
Swab the deck
Other verses: wear an eye patch
Walk the plank
Shout, “Ahoy!”
Source: Adapted Traditional

Rub-a-Dub-Dub
Rub-a-dub-dub,
Three men in a tub.
And who do you think they be?
The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker
And out they jumped, all three!
Source: Traditional

After a Bath
After a bath I try, try, try
To wipe myself ‘til I’m dry, dry, dry
Hands to wipe and fingers and toes
Two wet legs and shiny nose.
Just think how much less time it would take
If I were a dog and could shake, shake, shake!
Source: King County Library System

Book: Ella’s Bath by Peter Bently

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
So the itsy bitsy spider
Went up the spout again
Teeny weeny spider
Big humongous spider
Source: adapted traditional

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

Early Literacy tip: Bath time is a wonderful opportunity to encourage play and imagination! You can be pirates or sea turtles, or you can use bubbles to practice fine motor skills and finger dexterity.

Update: When I moved to the Loveland Public Library, they pass out multiple copies of a book in their toddler/baby storytimes. I updated this storytime to be called “Bath and Body Works.” We kept the pirate book and used Where is Baby’s Belly Button by Karen Katz to pass around to each group.

Other books that could work for this theme
How Do You Take a Bath? by Kate McMullan and illustrated by Sydney Hanson

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“Back to School” preschool storytime

Book – David Goes to School by David Shannon

Felt Board-Five Cupcakes in a Bakery Shop
Five cupcakes in a bakery shop
Five cupcakes with the sugar on the top
Along came a boy with a dollar to pay
He took one cupcake and ran away.
Four cupcakes in a bakery shop…
Three cupcakes in a bakery shop…
Two cupcakes in a bakery shop…
One cupcakes in a bakery shop…
No cupcakes in a bakery shop
No cupcakes with the sugar on the top
Along came a girl with a dollar to pay
She took one look and she ran away.
Source: King County Library System

Diez Amigos (Ten Little Indians)
Un amigo, dos amigos, tres amigos
Cuatro amigos, cinco amigos, seis amigos
Siete amigos, ocho amigos, nueve amigos
Diez amigos son, son, son
Source: King County Library System

Sometimes My Hands are at My Side
Sometimes my hands are at my side
Then behind my back they hide
Sometimes I wiggle my fingers so
Shake them fast, shake them slow
Sometimes my hands go clap, clap, clap
Then I rest them in my lap
Now they’re quiet as can be
Because it’s listening time, you see.
Source: Preschool Rainbow

Book – Tyrannosaurus Wrecks by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

Song – “Dinos in Cars” – Nancy Stewart

Reach for the Ceiling
Reach for the ceiling, touch the floor,
Stand up again, let’s do some more.
Touch your head, then your knee,
Up to your shoulders, like this, you see.
Reach for the ceiling, touch the floor,
That’s all now, but I’ve got one book more.
Source: King County Library System

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

A is for Alligator
A is for alligator
Chomp, chomp, chomp
B is for ball
Bounce, bounce, bounce
C is for circle
Turn ’round and ’round
& D is for dizzy
Let’s all sit down!
Source: King County Library System

Song: Jim Gill’s “Can’t Wait to Celebrate”

Early Literacy Tip: Sharing nursery rhymes, poems, and finger plays is a great way to foster early literacy skills. The easy-to-remember, rhythmic verses of poems and rhymes will be requested over and over by your preschooler. You’ll be amazed at how much a young child can pick up from a favorite rhyme. Check out or buy a nursery rhyme book and a book of children’s poetry. You’ll be reading from these books for years to come.
Source: Bright Hub Education

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“Getting Silly with It” toddler storytime

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 – Press Here by Herve Tullet

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

Boing! Boing! Squeak!
Boing! Boing! Squeak!
Boing! Boing! Squeak!
A bouncing mouse is in my house
He’s been here for a week.
He bounces in the kitchen,
(lean to one side)
He bounces in the den,
(lean to the other side)
He bounces in the living room,
Look! There he goes again!
Boing! Boing! Squeak!
Boing! Boing! Squeak!
A bouncing mouse is in my house,
He’s been here for a week.
Source: King County Library System

Book – The Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort

Acka Backa Soda Cracker
Acka backa, soda cracker
acka backa boo!
(lean forward on “boo”)
Acka backa, soda cracker
up goes you!
Acka backa, soda cracker
Acka backa, boo!
Acka backa, soda cracker
I love you!
Source: Storyblocks

Hey Diddle Diddle
Hey diddle diddle. The cat and the fiddle.
The cow jumped over the moon.
The little dog laughed to see such sport.
And the dish ran away with the spoon.
Source: Traditional

Tony Chestnut
Tony Chestnut knows I love you
(toe, knee, chest, head, nose, eye, heart, point)
Tony knows
Tony knows
Tony Chestnut knows I love you
That’s what Tony knows
Source: King County Library System

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

Play Time!

Early literacy tip: Take a familiar song and change the words. Insert your child’s name or favorite toy as it fits. For example, a Mother Goose nursery rhyme such as “London Bridge is Falling Down” could be “Terry’s Teddy is falling down.” The tune of “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush” is great for revising as you do your daily activities. “This is the way we brush our teeth” or “this is the way we pick up toys” can change a dull routine into a fun game.

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