Colors at Toddler Storytime

I have been sick most of a week so I was not prepared for today.

When in doubt, do somethng easy.

Colors is the one I have done the longest.

I am still not able to sing but reading went better today.

Books:

Dog's Colorful Day by Dodd
Brown Bear Brown Bear by Carle with flannel
Wow! Said the Owl by Hopgood

Songs:
The more we get together
Jumping and Counting
What are you wearing
Gotta Rain if you want a rainbow with scarves
I know a chicken with shakers
what a miracle

It went pretty well. Note to self, don't use the purple flannel board for brown bear.

Beach with toddlers

I wasn't doing too well because my allergies are acting up. Managed to read one book but no singing for me. Worked out pretty well for this small group. 2 toddlers collided when running around during a song and crying ensued. Maybe the parents will slow them down next time. ;-)

Books:
Beach by Cooper - big mistake. I just picked up the wrong one. Too long and pics too small.
Uh-Oh by Crum - Since I couldn't really talk, I had them say the only word in the book, Uh-oh

Music - did alot since I couldn't do much else

The more we get together - Did the Raffi version. Went over well
Jumping and Counting
Yellow Submarine with shakers
The Goldfish by Berkner - love love love this one
What a miracle

That's about it. Just not able to talk very well. Hopefully, next week will be better.

Not a storytme but fun! - Calming bottle program

I inherited this one from colleague who left but her replacement knew all about them from her time as a preschool teacher.

We prepared for 20 kids and got 11. That was a perfect number because they didn't have to wait to get to the stations and they could spend as much time as they liked at each station.

M. wants to do it again - It was fun but I might let her do it alone. Or at least have her be the head of it.

Neat though. Here is a sample of what we did.

Farm with Toddlers

An old standby and a good one!

Books:
Barnyard Boogie by McCanna - new book, really like it!
Farmyard Beat by Craig with puppets
Hurry Hurry by Bunting


Songs:
Old MacDonald with puppets

Rhyme (with flannel)
Baa Baa Black Sheep

The usual opening, closing, and wiggle songs.

Early Head Start and Head Start Outreach-hats

Well, first of all, last month the early head start lady said the parents wanted to dress their kids up to match my theme for the last library visit. I wasn't planning to do a theme, just my favorites, but we agreed on "Hats". I wasn't really happy to do hats because it is more of a winter program but I prepped it anyway. Then when I arrived...there were no hats on the kids. Sigh. I could have done what I wanted to do. I really don't like it when they ask for something and they don't follow through. Anyway, it was the usual craziness with the babies starting to play on the toys about 1/2 way through the first book. It really doesn't work to do it in their play space but they still seem to enjoy it.

Then at Headstart...they were on the their way onto the playground when I got there for EHS and then they came in about 1030. I forgot to bring my cd player and the one they have didn't work, so I played Garden Song for them to do shakers and sang the Mexican Hat dance. They were kicking the hat so I stopped midway through.

Books:
EHS
A Hat for Minerva Louise by Stoeke
Where's Mary's Hat? by

HS
Cap for Sale by
-a bit long for them
Old Hat by
-the boys were not listening at all.

Songs:
EHS
The more we get together
If you're happy and you know it
Head, Shoulders, knees and toes
Mexican Hat Dance
I know a chicken with shakers
May there always be sunshine

HS
The more we get together
If you're happy and you know it
The garden song (on uke) with shakers
Mexican hat dance
May there always be sunshine

There was one boy in Headstart who started with I don't like the library, I don't like books, I don't like songs. etc etc. and that made it difficult for me and the kids that wanted to be there. There were at least 3 boys who were in hot water the whole time. Also, when they came in from the playground, the teacher noisily put away balls etc. Uhg. Glad it is over for the year.

Preschool Outreach...No Theme!

I just did my favorites today.

Songs:
Books Books! by Emily Arrow
The more we get together with signs
Garden song on uke with shakers
Bean Bag Rock with bean bags
If you're happy and you know it
One from the left by Jim Gill
I am a pizza with uke
May there always be sunshine on uke

Books:
No Pirates Allowed! Said Library Lou by Greene (a little long for 4 year olds)
The Nuts: Sing and Dance in your Polka Dot Pants by Litwin
Can you Make a Scary Face? by Thomas
Farmyard Beat by Craig with puppets
Hi Pizza Man! by Walter

It was the last one for the school year for this group so I went a little long and I skipped the flannel board I had with me. When very well!

Mother's Day with Toddlers

Had a decent sized crowd today.

Books:
Is your mama a llama? by Kellogg
This one might be a little long but it is a big book so I read it slow.

Mama's Little Bears by Tarfuri
A new one for me, I like it. Lost some of the kids at this point.

Songs:
The more we get together - with signs
Shake your Sillies out
Jumping and Counting
I love my mother - with shakers
What a Miracle

Fingerplay
5 little monkeys

Puppet story
Mother, mother I want another
- had some trouble with kids wanting to grab the puppets

I forgot I was going to show them the sign for mother. Oh well!

Frogs with toddlers

I had a small group today. Of course, I planned to use the parachute but the grownups were game so we did it anyway. I was also able to do 3 books.

Songs:
The more we get together (with signs)
Jumping and Counting
Jump up
Twist and Shout (with parachute)

Books:
Toad on the Road: Mama and Me by Shaskan - brand new book, worked great!
One Frog Sang by Parenteau - a little long so i cut it short
The Wide Mouthed Frog by Faulkner (pop - up book)

Puppet show:
Jump, Frog Jump! by Kalan
-went great. Kids wanted to see into the bag, using the black cart for used ones worked well (has a lid).

Parachute:
Practicing
Row Row Row your boat
If you're happy and you know it
All around the cobbler's bench
Wheels on the bus
Twist and Shout (CD) with balls

This one was pretty good. Only 5 kids and 4 parents but they were happy to be there for the most part.