“Bears” 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 – Old Bear by Kevin Henkes

Bears
(Sung to “Mary Had A Little Lamb”)
Grizzly bears are big and brown,
Big and brown, big and brown,
Grizzly bears are big and brown,
And live in the woods.
Polar bears are soft and white,
Soft and white, soft and white,
Polar bears are soft and white,
And live where it’s cold.
Teddy bears are just my size,
Just my size, just my size,
Teddy bears are just my size,
To cuddle with at night.
Source: So Tomorrow 

The Bear Went Over the Mountain
The bear went over the mountain,
The bear went over the mountain,
The bear went over the mountain,
To see what he could see.
And all that he could see,
And all that he could see,
Was the other side of the mountain,
The other side of the mountain,
The other side of the mountain,
Was all that he could see.
Source: Traditional

 Where is Bear?
Where is bear? Where is bear?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you this winter?
Very tired, thank you.
Go to sleep. Go to sleep
(shouting) Wake up bears!
Source: Storytime Katie

Book – Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See? by Bill Martin Jr.

 Ten in the Bed felt board
There were ten in the bed
And the little one said roll over, roll over.
So they all rolled over and one fell out. Count down

At the last bear:
One bear in the bed, and do you know what he said?
Tune: He’s Got the Whole World in his Hands
 I’ve got the whole bed to myself
I’ve got the whole bed to myself
I’ve got the whole bed to myself
I’ve got the whole bed to myself
Source: Traditional/ King County Library System

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Teddy bear, teddy bear, sway around,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, reach up high,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the sky,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, bend down low,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch your toes,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, go to bed,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, rest your head,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn out the lights,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say “good night”.
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: Sensory Activities: Provide opportunities for clean “messy” play!

• Bathtub blocks in tubs of water
• Piles of shredded paper with farm animals
• Outdoor painting with water
• Tubs of water with measuring cups and spoons
• Bathing baby dolls
• Rubber ducks in tubs of water
• Lots of little pieces of masking tape

Source: University of Missouri 

Other books that could work for this theme:
There’s a Bear in Your Book – Tom Fletcher

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“Thanksgiving” preschool storytime

*EDIT 
I no longer do a Thanksgiving storytime, and I would never read the Hennessey title anymore as I am trying to grow and be more socially just. During Thanksgiving week, I do a gratitude theme instead.

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 – Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson

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

Felt Board – Three Nervous Turkeys
 “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”
Three turkeys was getting quite nervous.
Thanksgiving Day soon would be back.
So one turkey put on a duck suit,
And now he goes “Gobble, quack-quack.”
Chorus:
Turkey, turkey, (hook thumbs together, fingers stretched out for the turkey feathers)
Turkey goes “Gobble, quack-quack, quack-quack.” (flap elbows/wings like a duck)
Turkey, turkey, (feathers)
Turkey goes “Gobble, quack-quack.”  (wings)

Now no little turkey is nervous.
It’s finally feeling it’s luck.
But you, my poor dears, might get hungry …
… unless, of course, you like duck!

Walk like a Turkey
Walk like a turkey,
Woddle, woddle, woddle.
Talk like a turkey,
Gobble, gobble, gobble.
Run like a turkey
‘Round and ‘round.
But when it’s Thanksgiving
Don’t make a sound!
Source: Rolling Reads

Mr. Turkey and Mr. Duck
Mr. Turkey went out one day
In the bright sunshiny weather
He met Mr. Duck along the way
And they stopped to talk together.
Gobble, gobble, gobble Quack, quack, quack. Gobble, gobble, gobble
Quack, quack, quack.
Gobble, gobble, gobble Quack, quack, quack.
And then they both went back. (Quack)
Source: King County Library System

Book – One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B. G. Hennessey

This is the Way
This is the way we shuck our corn,
Shuck our corn, shuck our corn.
This is the way we shuck our corn,
For Thanksgiving Day.
This is the way we hunt for food
This is the way we catch some fish
This is the way we knead our bread
Source: Adapted traditional 

Form the Corn
First you form the corn
Form, form the corn
Then you husk the corn
Husk, husk the corn
Then you pop the corn
Pop, pop the corn
Form, slice, mash potatoes
Form, peel, squeeze the orange
Form, pick, squish the squash
Form, dice the onion, cry
Form, peel, go bananas
Source: Go Noodle

Book – I’m a Turkey by Jim Arnosky 

Song – The Learning Groove’s “When the Saints Go Marching In”
(for our Thanksgiving Day parade)

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: Read with fun in your voice.Read to your child with humor and expression.Use different voices. Ham it up! (Or, more appropriately for Thanksgiving, be a turkey!)

Other books
Cold Turkey – Corey Rosen Schwartz
Be Thankful for Water by Harriet Ziefert and Brian Fitzgerald

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“Gratitude/ Thanksgiving” 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 

Warm Up
Song – Kidding Around Yoga – “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

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 – There was an Old Woman who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson
pie – seated wide angle, legs like a “V”
cider – vrksasana/tree pose for apple tree
roll – seated with knees to chest, roll backwards
squash – paripurna navasana/boat pose
salad – sukhasana/easy seated pose/ criss cross apple sauce, legs are the salad bowl
turkey – malasana/ yogic squat with lots of gobbling
pot – happy baby/ ananda balasana
cake – candle pose/ shoulder stand
I used the OMazing Kids idea of saying, “Perhaps she’ll sigh” to add more breathwork in.

 Song: Kira Willey- “Making Pie”
I didn’t use the yoga track in class, but I wanted to link to it here so you can hear what poses are being done. The original song is here.

Breathing ball

Savasana
This was a guided savasana. We imagined we were a seed in the ground. We could feel the warm, soft dirt all around us. We felt safe and secure. We wanted to grow, and one day we burst through the dirt as a small stem. We could feel the sun. It gave us food and light and warmth. We could feel ourselves growing stronger and longer into vines and tendrils, and one day, we sprouted a pumpkin. We could feel ourselves growing rounder and rounder into the biggest, best pumpkin we could be. (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

Craft: Gratitude Pumpkins

Namaste!

 

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“Thanksgiving” toddler storytime

*EDIT 
I no longer do a Thanksgiving storytime, and I would never read the Hennessey title anymore as I am trying to grow and be more socially just. During Thanksgiving week, I do a gratitude theme instead.

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 – Thankful Book by Todd Parr

Pumpkin, Pumpkin
Pumpkin, pumpkin,
Sitting on a wall. (make a fist with one hand and put it on top of the other arm)
Pumpkin, pumpkin,
Tip and fall. (rock fist back and forth, make your fist fall off arm)
Pumpkin, pumpkin,
Rolling down the street. (roll one fist over the other)
Pumpkin, pumpkin,
Mmm, let’s eat! (throw arms up in the air, and shout)
Source: King County Library System

Peek a Boo
“Scarf Toss”
1,2,3, wee!
1,2,3, wee!

To the tune “The Farmer in the Dell”,
My scarf goes up.
My scarf goes down.
My scarf goes round and round and round And round and round and round.
My scarf goes in.
My scarf comes out.
My scarf flies about, about, about.
Source: Oakland Schools

Book – 1 Little, 2 Little, 3 Little Pilgrims by B. G. Hennessy

Pumpkin, Pumpkin on the Ground
Pumpkin, pumpkin on the ground
How’d you get so big and round?
Once you were a seed so small
Now you are a great big ball!
Pumpkin, pumpkin on the ground
How’d you get so big and round?
Source: Jbrary

Turkey Fat (London Bridge)
Let’s all be a turkey fat
turkey fat, turkey fat.   (flap arms)
Let’s all be a turkey fat
For Thanksgiving day FREEZE!
Let’s all be a jello mold
jello mold, jello mold   (wiggle all over)
Let’s all be a jello mold
For Thanksgiving Day. FREEZE!
Let’s all be a dinner roll,
Dinner roll, dinner roll.  (rock)
Let’s all be a dinner roll
For Thanksgiving day FREEZE!
Let’s all be a pumpkin pie,
Pumpkin pie, pumpkin pie.
(Circle face with cheeks puffed out)
Let’s all be a pumpkin pie
For Thanksgiving Day. FREEZE!
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:  Allow your child to help measure ingredients when cooking. This encourages self-confidence and develops pre-math skills!

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“The Letter G” 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 an “G” 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 – Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard

Song – Laurie Berkner “The Goldfish”

Book – The Short Giraffe by Neil Flory

Here is a Giant
Here is a giant who is tall, tall, tall.
And here is a leprechaun
Who is small, small small.
The leprechaun who is small
Will try, try, try
To reach the giant who is high, high, high
Source: King County Library System

Two Fine Gentleman
Two fine gentlemen met in the lane,
Bowed most politely and bowed again,
“How do you do?” and “How do you do?” and “How do you do again?”
Two fine ladies, two fine babies…
Source: King County Library System

Song – “The Dance Along Gong Song” by Jim Gill

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

Green Means Go
Green means “GO!” Go! Go! Go!
(march in place)
Yellow means “Slow.” Slow… slow… slow. (march in slow motion)
Red means “STOP!” (stop suddenly)
Go! Go! Go! (move fast!)
Slow… slow… slow. (move slowly)
Stop!
Source: King County Library System

Song – “Stick to the Glue” by Jim Gill

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 games that promote focusing skills like Simon Says, Mother May I, and Red Light, Green Light.

Additional books:
The Starry Giraffe by Andy Bergmann
Giraffe is Too Tall for This Book  – DK Ryland

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“Talking” ECRR2 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 – Moo! by David LaRochelle

Felt Board – Who Said Moo
I went to a farm when I was two,
nd 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 such 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!!!

Mr. Turkey and Mr. Duck
Mr. Turkey went out one day
(one hand is turkey, and comes out to front)
In bright sunshiny weather
He met Mr Duck along the way

(other hand is duck, and comes out )
They stopped to talk together
Gobble, gobble, gobble, quack, quack, quack
Gobble, gobble, gobble, quack, quack, quack
And then they both went back
(hands go back behind back)
Quack!
Source: King County Library System

Book – Which is Round? Which is Bigger? by Mineko Mamada

Song – Preschool of Rock “Growing Bigger”

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

Felt Board – It Looked like Split Milk
based on the book by Charles g. Shaw 

Let’s Get the Rhythm
Let’s get the rhythm of our knees (x3)
If you please
Let’s get the rhythm of our knees
Let’s get the rhythm of our shoulders…
Big boulders..
Let’s get the rhythm of our heads…
Oh dread..
Let’s get the rhythm of our feet…
How neat…
Source: Jbrary

Book – Where’s Walrus? by Stephen Savage

Mmm-Ahh went the Little Green Frog
Mmm ahh went the little green frog one day.
Mmm ahh went the little green frog.
Mmm ahh went the little green frog one day.
And they all went mmm, mmm, ahh.
But… We know frogs go (clap) shanananana.
(clap) shanananana. (clap) shanananana.
We know frogs go (clap) shanananana.
They don’t go mmm, mmm, ahh.
Bloop, bloop went the little blue fish one day.
But… we know fish go (kiss) kissy, kissy kiss.
Source: Traditional and 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:  Talk to your kids as often as possible, using as many words as possible. Don’t be afraid to use “big words;” just use those moments to teach new vocabulary. The more words a child knows, the easier learning to read is!

 

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“Shoes and Feet” 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 – Dancing Feet! by Lindsay Craig

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

Peek a Boo
“Scarf Toss”
1,2,3, wee!
1,2,3, wee!

To the tune “The Farmer in the Dell”,
My scarf goes up.
My scarf goes down.
My scarf goes round and round and round And round and round and round.
My scarf goes in.
My scarf comes out.
My scarf flies about, about, about.
Source: Oakland Schools

Two Little Feet go Tap, Tap, Tap.
Two little feet go tap, tap, tap.
Two little hands go clap, clap, clap.
A quick jump up from my chair,
Two little arms reach high in the air.

Two little feet go jump, jump, jump.
Two little hands go thump, thump, thump.
One little body sways round and round.
And everyone sits quietly back down.
Source: Monroe Public Library

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

Cobbler, Cobbler, Mend my Shoe
Cobbler, cobbler, mend my shoe
Have it done by half past two;
Stitch it up, and stitch it down (tickle up and down baby’s foot)
Make it the very best in town!
Source: Traditional

Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
Source: Traditional

Put your Finger on your Shoes
(tune: If You’re Happy and You Know It)
Put your finger on your shoes, on your shoes.
Put your finger on your shoes, on your shoes.
Put your finger on your shoes, put your finger on your shoes,
Put your finger on your shoes, on your shoes.
Put your finger on your pants…
Put your finger on your shirt…
Put your finger on your head…
Source: Adapted from Woody Guthrie

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: Between 6 and 12 months, your baby may especially like books that “do” things. Some good choices are books that:

Are rubber or plastic and can be taken in the bath;
Have tabs to pull or lift;
Have textures to touch or holes to poke a finger through;
Have pieces to lift to see a picture underneath.

This shows how your child’s growing physical skills (especially having more control over her fingers and hands) helps build her literacy skills.
Source: Zero to Three

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“Responsibility” kindergarten storytime

Opening
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

Open the Book, Close the 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.

I asked them what responsibility meant. We discussed it for awhile, and then I read them Moo! so we could see if the cow was responsible or not.
Book – Moo! by David LaRochelle

Sometimes responsibility involves listening to what you are told.
Song – Ziggy Marley “Ziggy Says”

Put Your Hands in the Air
Put your hands in the air,
And touch the ground.
Put your finger on your nose,
And your tongue all around.
Put your hands on your shoulders,
And your elbows on your knees.
Put your chin in your hands, & say,
“Read me a story please.”
Source: King County Library System

We then talked about libraries and what librarians do. How are librarians responsible citizens?
Book – Biblioburro by Jeannette Winters

We talked about librarians work really hard.
Hello, My Name is Joe
Hello, my name is Joe
I have a house and a dog and family
I work in a button factory
One day, my boss came up to me and said,
“Hey, Joe, are you busy?”
I said no.
Press the button with your right hand.
Repeat with left hand, right and left feet, head
Source: Childhood

Read your Books (Row your Boat)
Read, read, read your books,
Read them every day.
Books are fun (jazz hands!)
And make us smart (point to your amazing brain)
In every kind of way (swoop arms around!)
Source: King County Library System

Book – A Perfectly Messed Up Story by Patrick McDonnell

Just one more silly song before I go.
Form the Corn
First you form the corn
Form, form the corn
Then you husk the corn
Husk, husk the corn
Then you pop the corn
Pop, pop the corn
Form, peel, mash potatoes
Form, peel, squeeze the orange
Form, pick, squish the squash
Form, dice the onion, cry
Form, peel, go bananas
Source: GoNoodle

Good-bye
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: In order for children to learn responsibility, they must be given a little bit of freedom to make mistakes and to fix them themselves.

 

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“The Letter F” 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 an “F” 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 – Fire Engine no. 9 by Mike Austin

Hurry, hurry! Drive the fire truck!
Hurry, hurry! Drive the fire truck!
Hurry, hurry! Drive the fire truck!
Hurry, hurry! Drive the fire truck!
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!
Hurry, hurry! Climb the ladder…
Hurry, hurry! Squirt the water…
Slowly, slowly, go to sleep…
Source: King County Library System

A Fly is on my Toe
A fly is on my toe,
A fly is on my toe,
Hi-ho, just watch me blow
A fly is on my toe
Repeat with other body parts, such as nose, elbow, knee, belly, etc.
Source: King County Library System

Song – Jim Gill’s “Beethoven’s Five Finger Play”

Book –Frog on a Log by Kes Gray

Two Little Frogs
One little froggy goes- HOP!
Along comes another and they just can’t stop,
So… Two little froggies go-HOP! HOP!
Along comes another and they just can’t stop,
So… (continue until 5)
Five little froggies go-HOP HOP HOP HOP DROP! (fall to floor) STOP!
Source: King County Library System

Face Fingers Feet and Toes
Face fingers feet and toes, feet and toes
Face fingers feet and toes, feet and toes
Ankles, knees, elbows and nose
(knock elbows together  gently)
Face fingers feet and toes, feet and toes.
Source: King County Library System

Fingers
All my fingers go to sleep,
Go to sleep, go to sleep
All my fingers go to sleep
Now wake up!
Source: King County Library System

Book – Forever Friends by Carin Berger

Song – Laurie Berkner “The Airplane Song”

Fee Fi Fo Fum
Fee, fi, fo fum (uncurl fingers 1 by 1)
See my fingers, see my thumb!
(wiggle fingers, then thumb)
Fee, fi, fo, fum (curl up fingers 1 by 1)
Bye-bye fingers, bye-bye thumb!
(curl up thumb)
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: F is for fun! Make reading fun by adding voices or using stuffed animals to act out the action.

 

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“Boxes” 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 – Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

Do You Know the Rectangle?
Do You Know the Muffin Man?
Do you know the rectangle,
The rectangle, the rectangle?
Do you know the rectangle?
It has four sides like this.

Two are long and two are short,
Two are short, two are short.
Two are long and two are short.
It has four sides like this.
Source: Preschool Express

I’m a Shape that has 4 Sides
Mary had a Little Lamb
I’m a shape that has four sides,
Has four sides, has four sides.
I’m a shape that has four sides,
And they are all the same.

Count my points, I have four too,
Have four too, have four too.
Count my points, I have four too.
And Square is my name.
Source: Preschool Express

Little Ball
A little ball, (make circle with fingers)
A bigger ball, (make circle with hands)
A great big ball I see.(make circle with arms)
Are you ready to count them?
One, (make circle with fingers)
Two,(make circle with hands)
Three!(make circle with arms)
Source: King County Library System

Book – Sitting in my Box by Dee Lillegard

Scarf Play
Peek a Boo

“Scarf Toss”
1,2,3, wee!
1,2,3, wee!

Insects on Me!
To the tune “The Farmer in the Dell”,
A fly is on my face
A fly is on my face
Heigh-ho just watch me go
A fly is on my face.
Other verses:
A gnat is on my nose,
A hornet is on my head
A bee is on my back
Source: King County Library System

Hickory Dickory Docket
Hickory Dickory Docket
The mouse ran into the pocket!
But my hand went in
The mouse ran out
Hickory Dickory Docket!

Hickory Dickory Docket
The bird flew into the pocket!
But my hand went in
The bird flew out
Hickory Dickory Docket!
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: Hello, Good-Bye. Make a tunnel from a large cardboard box by opening both ends. Place the child at one end of the tunnel. You sit at the opposite end. Peek your face in the tunnel and say, “Hi!” Then lean away from the tunnel (so the child can’t see you) and say, “Bye!” Does the child try to communicate with you by crawling to find you, or by making sounds to copy your “hi” and “bye”?
Source: Zero to Three

Other books that could work for this theme
Gift & Box written by Ellen Mayer and illustrated by Brizida Magro (more for preschool age)