” Be Wild, Little One” 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)

Warm-up Song: “The Shimmy” – Kira Willey

Are you Ready for Yoga? 
Are you ready for yoga?
If you’re ready, then stomp your feet
Stomp your feet and make some noise.
Let’s stomp our feet and make some noise
And do it really fast
Then stop. Stretch your feet up, up, up
And down.
Repeat with arms then both. 
Source: Next Generation Yoga at the National Kids Yoga Conference

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 

Book –Be Wild, Little One by Olivia Hope and illustrated by Daniel Egnéus
make you fly – butterfly/baddha konasana
stomp and clap – stomp and clap!
cross the ocean – warrior III/virabhadrasana III
climb up trees – tree/vrksasana
dive down deep – standing forward fold/ uttasana
dig in sands – turtle pose
chase tornadoes – spin in circles
run with wolves – mountain climbers and then upward facing dog with howl
dance with fireflies – dancer pose/natarajasana
wish on star – five pointed star pose


Song – Kidding Around Yoga’s “Yogi Shake“

Bee Breath

Savasana 

Song – Kidding Around Yoga’s “This Little Light of Mine”

Candle Breath

Savasana 

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

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” The Shortest Day” 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)

Warm-up Song: “Wobbly Man” Koo Koo Kanga Roo

Are you Ready for Yoga? 
Are you ready for yoga?
If you’re ready, then stomp your feet
Stomp your feet and make some noise.
Let’s stomp our feet and make some noise
And do it really fast
Then stop. Stretch your feet up, up, up
And down.
Repeat with arms then both. 
Source: Next Generation Yoga at the National Kids Yoga Conference

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 

Book –The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper and illustrated by Carson Ellis
mountain hunter/gatherer illustration –

Book –The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper and illustrated by Carson Ellis
mountain hunter/gatherer illustration – mountain/tadasana
gathering sticks – standing forward fold/ uttasana
shortest day came – eka pada tadasana walks home
year died – child’s pose/balasana
came people dancing – dancer pose/natarajasana
candles in trees – tree/vrksasana
burned fires – lion’s breath
stars – yoga squat/malasana jumping to five pointed star pose like the sun coming up
noodles – baddha konasana with fold, like holding and eating bowl of noodles

Song – Bari Koral’s “ Happiness Runs” with these hand motions

Candle Breath

Savasana 

child’s pose/balasana
daisy – flower pose
dog – downward facing dog/adho mukha svanasana
feeling down – anahatasana/ puppy pose
playground swings – rock n roll pose
stick – mountain/tadasana
noodles – baddha konasana with fold, like holding and eating bowl of noodles
thank you, book – chair/utkatasana
stars – five pointed star pose


Song – Kidding Around Yoga’s “This Little Light of Mine”

Candle Breath

Savasana 

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

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” Thank You for the Little Things” 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)

Are you Ready for Yoga? 
Are you ready for yoga?
If you’re ready, then stomp your feet
Stomp your feet and make some noise.
Let’s stomp our feet and make some noise
And do it really fast
Then stop. Stretch your feet up, up, up
And down.
Repeat with arms then both. 
Source: Next Generation Yoga at the National Kids Yoga Conference

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 used these sun salutations from Yoga Games for Children as posted by Breathe. Flow. Grow. Yoga. 

Book –Thank You for the Little Things by Caryl Hart and illustrated by Emily Hamilton
ladybug – child’s pose/balasana
daisy – flower pose
dog – downward facing dog/adho mukha svanasana
feeling down – anahatasana/ puppy pose
playground swings – rock n roll pose
stick – mountain/tadasana
noodles – baddha konasana with fold, like holding and eating bowl of noodles
thank you, book – chair/utkatasana
stars – five pointed star pose


Song – Bari Koral’s “ Happiness Runs” with these hand motions

Candle Breath

Savasana 

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

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Native American Heritage Month 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 – Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer

Song: “Listen and Move” by Greg and Steve

Walking Walking (Frere Jacques)
Walking, walking, walking walking
Hop, hop, hop! Hop, hop, hop!
Running, running, running
Running, running, running
Now we STOP. Now we STOP.
Source: Super Simple Learning

Book – We All Play (kimêtawânaw) by Julie Flett

Song: “Clap It!” by Bari Koral

Book –Nibi is Water (nibi aawon nbiish) by Joanne Robertson, translated by Shirley Williams and Isadore Toulouse

Song: “Itsy Bitsy Spider” by Miss Nina

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

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:
See the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s anti-bias goals.

Other books that could work for this theme:
Forever Our Home by Tonya Simpson and illustrated by Carla Joseph
In the Sky at Nighttime by Laura Deal and illustrated by Tamara Campeau

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” What’s Sweeter” 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)

Are you Ready for Yoga? 
Are you ready for yoga?
If you’re ready, then stomp your feet
Stomp your feet and make some noise.
Let’s stomp our feet and make some noise
And do it really fast
Then stop. Stretch your feet up, up, up
And down.
Repeat with arms then both. 
Source: Next Generation Yoga at the National Kids Yoga Conference

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 

Halloween sun salutations
Hello, bats. Flap, flap, flap
Hello, worms. Squirm, squirm, squirm.
Place your hands on the floor. 1,2
And step back. 3,4
Lower your belly to the leaves on the floor.
Aoooo. howl at the moon so pale
Lift up to shake your werewolf tail
Bend your knees. Jump your feet up please.
Take a deep breath in
And feel the magic deep within.
Source: KidPowerment Yoga

Book –After the Moonrise by Rich Lo
moonlight pierces – standing side bends
skunk climbs – anahatasana/ puppy pose
bats under bridge – setu bandha sarvangasana/ bridge
coyote howls – upward facing dog -urdhva mukha sarvangasana
wooden gate – gate pose/parighasna
cornfield – tree pose/vrksasana
sweet kernels – rock n roll pose like rolling corn on the cob
dog – downward facing dog/adho mukha svanasana
ladybug – child’s pose/balasana
race out of the cornfield – mountain climbers
hiding behind wood pile – turtle pose/kurmasana
part ways – warrior I/virabhadrasana I like the deer in the background
turns to look – standing twists
letter from friend – sphinx pose/salamba bhujangasana

pictures from one of my outreach forest school’s storytime while they were in turtle pose

Song – Kidding Around Yoga’s “This Little Light“


Candle Breath

Savasana 

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

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

” Beginning” 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)

Are you Ready for Yoga? 
Are you ready for yoga?
If you’re ready, then stomp your feet
Stomp your feet and make some noise.
Let’s stomp our feet and make some noise
And do it really fast
Then stop. Stretch your feet up, up, up
And down.
Repeat with arms then both. 
Source: Next Generation Yoga at the National Kids Yoga Conference

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 Sargent Salutations from Kidding Around Yoga. 

Book – Beginning by Shelley Moore Thomas and illustrated by Melissa Castrillon
flower – flower pose
egg – malasana/garland pose and then hatch from “egg”
butterfly – butterfly or baddha konasana
peach tree- tree pose/vrksasana
pancakes – chair/utkatasana like you’re sitting down to breakfast
plaground – rock n roll pose like you’re on the snail
beginning of together – downward facing dog/adho mukha svanasana
sea – navasana/boat pose
gloomiest of days – downward facing dog/adho mukha svanasana
path – virasana/hero’s pose
starlight – tipping (shooting) star pose

Song – The Seedy Seeds – “My Roots Go Down“
Stomping for roots
Tree – vrksasana
Flower pose

Belly Breaths

Savasana 

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

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Community Helpers event, Loveland style

I held an event I called People in Your Neighborhood. Traditionally, community helper units include jobs like police, fire, teachers, doctors, etc. Of course these jobs are important, but so are many others. For this event, I wanted to make sure we placed value on other types of jobs as well.

We were mechanics.

We were meteorologists. I told the kids they could be other TV stars also, but this was still surprisingly the least popular of the stations.

We worked in construction.

The dads got really into this activity.

Of course, I had to throw librarian in the mix.

We decided that barista is the most important job of all because the construction workers, librarians, and mechanics all needed their coffee.

And then, of course, someone had to clean up the mess!

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“Moonlight” 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)

Are you Ready for Yoga? 
Are you ready for yoga?
If you’re ready, then stomp your feet
Stomp your feet and make some noise.
Let’s stomp our feet and make some noise
And do it really fast
Then stop. Stretch your feet up, up, up
And down.
Repeat with arms then both. 
Source: Next Generation Yoga at the National Kids Yoga Conference

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 Sargent Salutations from Kidding Around Yoga. 

Book – Moonlight by Stephen Savage
swinging through the trees – tree/vrkshasana
streaks through forest – warrior I/ virabhadrasana I
swirling down a river – crocodile/makarasana
washing out to sea – navasana/boat
drifting in a wake – dolphin/ ardha pinchamayurasana
hides behind a cloud – twist from side to side holding “binoculars”
plane – warrior III/ virabhadrasana III
mountaintop – tadasana/mountain pose
silvery tracks – rock and roll pose
rests in bedroom – cat/cow
moonlight – half moon/ ardha chandrasana use a wall for more stability

Song: Kidding Around Yoga’s “Head Shoulders Yoga Pose”

Belly Breaths

Savasana 

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

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All Bodies are Good Bodies 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 – Just. Like. You by Meredith Steiner and illustrated by Avneet Sandhu

Song: “Mi Cuerpo Hace Musica” by The Learning Groove

Laugh a Little
Laugh a little, laugh a little, ha, ha, ha.
Sing a little, sing a little, la, la, la.
Clap a little, clap a little, clap, clap, clap.
Dance a little, dance a little, tap, tap, tap.
Spin a little, spin a little, round and round.
Rest a little, rest a little, all fall down
Source: Preschool Express

Book – Hands and Hearts by Donna Jo Napoli and illustrated by Amy Bates

The More We Get Together with ASL

Song: “Clap It!” by Bari Koral

Book – What Do You Love About You? by Karen Lechelt
I really wanted to promote NAEYC’s anti-bias goals 1 and 2 of identity and diversity where we learn to describe ourselves and others in positive language.

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
I have ten little fingers
and ten little toes
Two little arms and one little nose
One little mouth and two little ears
Two little eyes for smiles & tears.
One little head and two little feet.
One little chin, that’s me, complete!
Source: Everything Preschool

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:
See the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s anti-bias goals.

Other books that would work for this topic
Lovely by Jess Hong
Big – Vashti Harrison

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Summer of Love

The Summer Learning Program theme this year is All Together Now so of course, I have been singing the Beatles song since May. One idea was to have a hippie-inspired event, and that resonated with me so we tuned in, turned on, and dropped out for this event.

We made “tie-dye” like this post from Busy Kids Happy Mom.

We made friendship bracelets like this post from Crafty Homeschool Mom.

Some kiddos compared which straws were taller or shorter.

We made suncatchers out of the discounter flowers from the local grocery store like this post from Messy Little Monster. (P.S. The contact paper sticks to itself best so spread it over the entire plate, not just the hole.) Flower power!

But making telescopes and megaphones from the contact paper is fun too.

This little friend has quite the brain for patterning. She made this all on her own!