Birds - Toddlers

Whew! I had a large group (20 kids) but it went well. Helps to do it 3 times before today. (4 this week!)

Books:
Hooray for Birds by Cousins
Birds by Henke

Songs:
The more we get together
Shake your sillies out
Jumping and Counting
Do the Bird
Three little birds on uke - I put the words on the board so the adults could sing. They did!
Rockin' Robin with instruments
What a miracle

Puppets:
Flip Flap Fly by Root

This is all of birds for a while and I am off the next 3 weeks so see you in 2018!

Birds - Headstart and Early headstart

A little confusion today but all worked out. I went to headstart at 930 am like I was supposed to but they were in the middle of a snack so they asked me to come back later. So, I went to the store and the post office and wasted a good 15 minutes. Then I came back to see if I could do Early Headstart a little early. (They are in the same building) They were fine with that and I got started right away.

Early headstart is babies and toddlers so I did mostly a baby storytime with a couple of books.

Here's what I did:

Birds by Henkes
Hurray for Birds by Cousins

The More We get together with signs
Three Little Birds on uke
May there always be sunshine on uke
Rocking Robin with shakers
Bird hokey pokey
If you're happy and you know it
Head shoulder's knees and toes

Flip Flap Fly with puppets

So after that I went over to Headstart and they let me do my storytime.

The kids are 3-4 years old so I did the same as yesterday.

Birds - preschool outreach

I will be doing this theme 3 times this week.
This was my first. This group is a private preschool and the kids are very good and advanced. So I figured I would do some experimenting. I tried teaching them Three Little Birds. They learned it fine but I messed up a bunch. I am not sure if I can teach the toddlers so I might just play the song and do scarves.

I haven't done birds for a while so this was fun!

Books;
I'm Not Cute by Allen - they liked this one
Oliver's Wood by Hendra
Hello My Name is Ruby by Stead - not a favorite
Pigeon Found a Hotdog by Willems - ok

Songs:
The more we get together with signs
Three Little Birds with uke
May there always be sunshine with uke
Old MacDonald with uke (their request)
Do the Bird - dancing
Rockin Robin with shakers
Jumping and Counting

Went pretty well. One boy asked for puppets because I brought them last time, maybe next month.

Shoes and Socks - Toddlers

Something was off today but I'm not sure what. Went okay but just odd. I spoke a little more to the parents and they laughed at my jokes. This is highly unusual.

Books:
Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes by Litwin
Shoe Baby by Dunbar
Duck Sock Hop by Kohuth

Songs:
The more we get together
Jumping and Counting
Everybody knows I love my toes (from Jbrary)
B-O-O-T-S by Berkner with instruments
This What My feet can do
What a Miracle

Flannel
Busy Little Cobbler

Nursery Rhyme
1-2 Buckle my shoe

They were quiet after the instruments so I did a 3rd book. Had to cut it short but did a little bit (Shoe Baby).

Toddler storytime - Pigs

I did pigs today.

Songs:
Piggy Pokey
The tale of the pigs go round and round
The more we get together
Perfect Piggies with shakers
What a Miracle
Shake your Sillies out

Books:
If you give a pig a pancake by Numeroff
Zoiink by Most

Flannel
8 piggies in a row

Fingerplay
This little piggy

Puppets
The pig went moo

Today went pretty well. It was a little short but that's okay. I am getting the hang of this group now. Only 2 books, lots of songs, puppets, flannel, fingerplay, and shakers made them pay attention more than before.

Thanksgiving Storytime

I had a good group today. Mostly toddlers but I aimed a little higher today.

Books:
I'm a Turkey by Arnosky
Little Kids Table by Riehel
I know an old lady who swallowed a pie by Johnson
One is a feast for mouse by Cox

Songs:
If you're a turkey and you know it
All the pretty little horses with scarves
Open shut them
She'll be coming round the mountain with instruments

Craft: Turkey hat

This one has been on the back burner for 2 years because last year the library closed on the Wed. before Thanksgiving-which was when I planned to do it. Did Tuesday this year just in case.

It was good, not great, because I have a cold and singing was not going to happen. I sang If you're a turkey and you know it but it was difficult.

Preschool Outreach - Books

I have a very good repore with the head teacher at the preschool I went to today so I always enjoy it. She always likes starting with Books as a theme. She also is very disappointed when I don't bring by uke. Unfortunately, I had a sore throat so it was a difficult day.

Books:
No Pirates Allowed! by Greene
-The kids liked this but it might have been a bit long for them.

Book! Book! Book! by Brauss
Fall is not easy by Kelley
-flannel
I took my Frog to the Library by Kimmel
-puppets

Game:
Where is the blue bird?
- good one

Songs:
Books! Books! by Emily Arrow
 - with motions, good hello song
I know a chicken by Berkner
-with shakers
If you're happy and you know it
May there always be sunshine
-with uke
Wheels on the bus
-with uke
Spaghetti legs by Gill
-they loved this one

It was interesting how some of the kids don't quite have sitting still down yet. But the end of the year, they will be sitting and asking for more books. :-)

There was one parent/helper that bought a uke because of me and was disappointed I only did 2 songs. But, I have a sore throat so I don't mind.

Toddlers - Food

I did food today.

Books
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Carle - Flannel Board
Lunch by Fleming
If you give a Moose a Muffin by Numeroff

Songs
Jumping and Counting
The more we get together
I know a Chicken with shakers
What a Miracle

Activity
Stretchy Band
-not the best...need smaller group to learn what to do. I tried just doing row row row your boat and that was good but then I didn't really know what to do. I put on a song and we marched in a circle-kind of - not as good as I had hoped.

This was a very large group. They were quieter than last week, maybe because the roof men weren't working right over our heads. The kids started throwing shakers...not sure what to do about that. I just said I would take them away and they stopped.

Head Start and Early Head Start - Dogs

I did my dog program for both Head Star and Early Head Start.
It went well.
I added "Dog's Colorful Day" by Dodd as a flannel for HS.

For EHS I did more music, I did shakers with I know a chicken. I didn't do the puppet show.

It went pretty well. There were fewer kids and that helped the noise level.

For the second month, the HS people didn't know I was coming and  the teacher said it was her first day. They must have a lot of turnover!

Toddler storytime - Dogs

I knew the kids would be wound up because it rained all day yesterday. What I didn't expect was the grownups being wound up as well and having my largest Toddlers ever!

The kids were much louder than usual and I had trouble speaking over them. I might try a microphone next time.

Books:
Oh No George! by Haughton
One Pup's Up by Chall

Songs:
The more we get together
Shake your sillies out
If you're a dog and you know it
Bingo
There's a dog in school
Shaking everywhere
What a miricle

Well, it went pretty well but I need to set a few more ground rules. The loudest ones came in late however so it might not have mattered.

Fall Theme Toddlers

A nice group. The listened pretty well so I did 3 books. I was going to do a game (where is bluebird) but they weren't feeling the flannel board so I skipped it.

Books:
Full of Fall by Sayre - a book of photos and rhymes. Maybe a little long but they liked it.
Old Bear by Henkes - This one really is a winter story but it has leaves on the cover. Should do it for winter theme instead.
Mouse's First Fall by Thompson - Mouse is always a fav.

Flannel - Fall is not Easy based on a book by Kelley

Songs:
Jumping and Counting  by Gill
If you're happy and you know it
California Dreamin' by the Mamas and the Papas
Grey Squirrel, Grey Squirrel from Where's Thumpkin CD

Babies go Boo!

Okay! I had 8 babies and 8 adults! Amazing! Almost all were dressed up!

I did 2 books, I wouldn't ever recommend doing this but since it was a special day I did it anyway.

Halloween Colors! by McGrath
Pumpkin Party by Powell-Tuck

Songs:
Witches Brew by Palmer with shakers
Five little pumpkins by Raffi with glove flannels
May there always be sunshine (on uke)
The more we get together (with signs)
Little ghost (on uke)

Rhymes
I saw a little ghost
Pumpkin pumpkin
Itsy Bitsy spider

Bounce
Roll roll sugar babies

Bubbles and balls to Raffi (I forgot my bubble music but this worked fine)

Toddler storytime - Halloween

The kids didn't really want to listen to stories today just music. Might be because I started with a longish book. Here's what I did:

Books:
Click Clack Boo! by Cronin (this one might be a little long)
Can you Make a Scary Face? by Thomas (always a favorite)
The Chocolate Chip Ghost by               (with stick puppets)

Songs:
5 little pumpkins (with glove) first I said it then played Raffi's version. The kids stopped and listened to Raffi, not so much to me.
Jumping and Counting by Gill - a new favorite but they wouldn't sit down when it was over
If you're happy and you know it
Witches Brew by Palmer
What a Miracle by Palmer

Fingerplay:
I'm a little pumpkin

Wow! the kids were running round and loud! I think I lost my voice! Oh well, I think they had fun!

Toddler storytime - Cake

Opening - The more we get together with signs

Books :
The Red Hen by Embeley
Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes by Dean

Songs:
Jump and Count by Gill - I added this one and they really liked it. Very simple but good!
If you're happy and you know it
Cupcakes by Battersby Duo with shakers
What a Miracle by Palmer

Flannel:
5 little cupcakes

Fingerplay:
Pat a cake (twice)

The kids were pretty good. They couldn't sit for 2 stories really. Maybe next time do one shorter. Both of these were pretty long.

Would have done Oh No George! if they could have sat more.

Toddler Storytime - Colors

Wow! The kids were so wound up today!
Made for a very lively storytime, but whew!

Books:
Freight Train by Crews
One by Otoshi - I always choke up at the end! Some parents did too!

Flannels:
Dogs Colorful Day by Dodd
5 little crayons

Songs:
What are you wearing? (forgot my colorful vest)
Shake your sillies
If you're happy and you know it
Open shut them
Rainbow Connection (by the Dixie Chicks) with scarves
What a Miricle

I realized about 3/4 through I forgot to do sign language but by that point...
Parents didn't remove their kids when they came up to the flannel board...need to explain?


Not the best but not the worst. They did listen to the first story for a while and the second too! Had to add songs because the noise level was horrible and I couldn't do any louder.

Early Head Start and Head Start Outreach - Library/Books

I did library since this is my first visit this year.

Headstart was first and when I walked in the teachers were very surprised. Seems no one told them I was coming. They told me they had just started this week! It took a while to get the kids at the storytime circle but once they were there it was okay. I had asked for a CD player and the lady in charge said she would make sure there would be one there but none was in sight. I know 2 years ago, they started using the computers for their music so I guess I will have to bring my own.

Books:
Book, Book book by Bruss
Read it, Don't Eat It by Schoenherr - this one got their attention
No Pirates Allowed Said Library Lou by  Greene (too long for this group)
I took my Frog to the Library by Kimmel with puppets

Songs:
If you're happy and you know it
The more we get together
May there always be sunsine
The wheels on the bus

I realized No Pirate Allowed was too long about 2 pages in. I skipped a bunch and finished anyway. They like my ukulele.

Early Headstart was different than last year because there are only 4 toddlers so we went into the baby room where there were 8 babies! So instead of a toddler time, I did babies. I will plan on that from now on.

Toddler storytime - Cats

I had a good time with the Toddlers today. Since I did Cats for preschool last week, this was a no brainer.

Books:
Feathers for Lunch by Ehlert
Pete the Cat and his 4 Groovy Buttons by Litwin
Where will the Fat Cat Sit? by Thomas

Songs:
Open shut them
Little Cat with ukulele and signs
Shake your Sillies out
If you're happy and you know it
Kitty Cat by Laura Doherty with puppets
The Cat Came Back with shakers
What a Miracle

I didn't do Cat's Purr again because it is pretty long and it was a good call.

Preschool Storytime - Cats

Books:
Lost by Mader
Pete the Cat, I Love My White Shoes by Litwin
Drat That Fat Cat by Patton
Cat's Purr by Bryan (with puppets)

Songs:
Jump Up by Jim Gill
Beanbag Rock by Stewart (with beanbags)
If you're happy and you know it
The More we get together
Soft Kitty on the uke

Cat - pete the cat - like this without eyes, nose, and whiskers - they had to draw them




I had a good group today. They really liked my puppet story and Pete the Cat. Some recited with me. This was my last regular preschool storytime for a while. Going back to Toddlers but doing outreach for 3-5s 2 times a month.

Toddler Storytime - Mice

Large crowd today (for us). 33 people!

Books:
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Wood
Cat and Mouse by Schroenherr
Squeak-a-lot by Waddell (with puppets)

Songs:
The More we Get Together with signs
Open Shut them
Shake your sillies out
If you're happy and you know it
Bean Bag Rock
What a Miracle

Finger plays
5 little mice
one little mouse

Note to self, don't do bean bags with toddlers. One started throwing them and then more did. Not good. I didn't think to tell them not to. Went a little short, should have done a flannel.

Puppets went over better than yesterday. All enjoyed.

Preschool Storytime - Mice

Opening song:
The More We Get together with signs

Books:
The Big Hungry Bear by Wood (big book)
If you give a mouse a cookie by Numeroff
Cat and Mouse by Schoenherr
Squeak-A-lot by Waddell with puppets

Songs:
Silly Dance Contest by Gill
One from the left by Gill
House at the top of the tree by They Might Be Giants with instruments

Fingerplay
5 merry mice

Goodbye song: It's time to say good bye with some signs (not all)

I had 6 kids this time so more energetic than last time. I enjoyed it. The mouse craft might have been a little too involved but there was enough parents it worked out okay.

Baby Storytime - Farm

I have done better but it was okay.
Only 2 families today and both had lap babies. This kept it to bounces and singing.

I was a little tired as well.

Songs:
The more we get together
Roll Roll Sugar Babies (Bounce)
The animals get up in the morning (bounce)
Old MacDonald with puppets
Baby face with scarves
Head on down to the barn with shakers
Bathtime with bubbles
May there always be sunshine

Book:
Old MacDonald

Toddler Storytime - Things that Go

Since I did these back to back I figured I could do some repeats:

Hello song:
The more we get together (with signs) - went better than I expected. Parents did it mostly. Did the 2nd verse this time.


1st book - Red Car, Red Bus by Steggall
A little simple, might have been better as a 2nd book but they liked guessing what was next.

Shake your Sillies
If your'e Happy and You Know It

Second Book - A Bus for Us by Bloom
Also a good one for guessing what was next. Definitely enjoyed by all.

Action song: Drive My Car by Berkner

Wheels on the Bus by Willis
3rd  Book - The Wheels on the Bus to the zoo.
This one they were all over the place. I thought because it was an extension on the song it would work but no dice.

Shaker song: Trucks by Berkner

Goodbye song:
What a Miracle by Palmer
-I haven't used this a lot lately because I am a bit tired of it. I will get another signing one hopefully.

The kids were a little antsy, not used to sitting still after the summer. But they were pretty quiet except for the 3rd book. Going back to 2 will be for the best. Another back to back next week then only one more Preschool. Back to Toddler in October.

Preschool Storytime - Transportation

I only had 2 kids today but we still had fun. Since this is the first storytime since July I am not surprised.
Here is what I did:

Books:
Go Go Gorrillas by Durango
The Seals on the Bus by Hort
Don't Squish the Sasquatch by Redeker
Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Willems

Songs:
The more we get together with signs
Wheels on the bus and extension to book The Seals on the Bus
Drive my Car by Berkner
Trucks by Berkner with shakers
What a Miracle by Palmer

Craft: Bus

How it went:
I can do more songs and books with only 2 kids so I did! I also gave them more choices...I asked, do you want to do this book? Do you want to dance? etc. They always said yes but it makes it more fun.

Preschool - Feelings

This one was great!

Books:
Grumpy Bird by Tamkard
Can you Make A Scary Face by Thomas
One by Otoshi
Pete the Cat and his Magic Sunglasses by Dean

Songs:
Happy by Pharrell Williams with instruments
If You're Happy and You Know it
One from the Left by Gill
Hands are for Clapping by Gill

Flannel:
Guess the Feeling game -uses emogies

The one went well. Everyone liked the stories and songs. I wish I had done more movement songs because they were pretty passive. All in all a good one!

This is my last one until September...it will be nice to have a break!

Toddlers - Farm

Well, it was a surprise storytime for me because a co-worker was sick. It was easy to do farm again with different books.

Here is what I did:

Songs:
Open Shut them
Old MacDonald with puppets
One from the left
Shake your sillies out
If you're happy and you know it
I know a Chicken with shakers

Books:
Z-z-z-oink! by Most
 - went over well.
Hurry Hurry by Bunting
-not as well but okay

Flannel-
Baa Baa Black Sheep

Went pretty well. Kids were all over by the end. I like doing One from the left at the end.

Preschool - Farm

As always one of my favs!

Books:
Click Clack Moo Cows that Type by Cronin
Book Book Book by Bruss
Sheep Can't Sleep by Beaumont with puppets
Mrs. Wish Washy's Farm by Cowley

Songs
Old MacDonald with puppets
I know a chicken with shakers
If you're happy and you know it
Hello and good bye songs (farmer in the dell tune)
One from the left by Gill
Mrs. Wishy Washy by The Learning station

I had a couple of older kids because school is out which was good because The Learning Station song is pretty difficult. I like it a lot so I did it anyway. The puppet shows went well. The books were okay. The kids didn't get the joke at the end of Book Book Book but the parents liked it.

Craft was paper corn cobs with gluing on popcorn (unpopped).

Preschool - Balloons

We are switching for the month of July so I have 3 PSSTs to do this month. I started with balloons!

This was a small group when I started only 3 kids so I opted for a long first book:

Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm by Nolen. I have loved this book since my kids were little but it is very long and you can't skip very well so I tried it. It went pretty well. The 3 I started with were attentive and like it. The younger ones that came in late not so much. Of  course, they came in during the middle of it, so that would be part of it. Since I did such a long story first I did 2 short ones after that. Perfectly Percy by Schmid and It's Tough to Lose your Balloon by Krosckza.

Songs:
Up Up and Away by the 5th dimension with scarves -
- They liked this one very much and danced with the scarves the whole song.

List of Dances - I need to find the original disc mine is skipping.

Finger Play - One from the left by Jim Gill
  - This is a new cd for Gill called Vote for Jim Gill. I like it and the kids did too.

Action song -
If you're happy and you know it

Flannel -
 Pete the Clown and his 5 balloons

Craft - hot air balloon out of a paper plate

This was  a great storytime! Nice one to start with. Next week Farms!

Dogs - Toddlers

Today I had a good group but a little subdued. That is why I was able to do 3 books.

Books:
Oh No George! by Haughton
The Doghouse by Thomas
Hop is Up! by Dempsey

Songs:
Open Shut Them
BINGO with Flannels
If your happy and you know it (with if you are a dog and you know it)
Shake your Sillies out
Bean Bag Rock with beanbags

Forgot to bring my goodbye song so I made one up on the spot
 -something like It's time to say good bye...It's time to say good bye....It's time to say good bye to storytime today (to farmer in the dell)

Thoughts
This one was so subdued compared to my last few that I wasn't mentally prepared. I should have done more but I finished early instead. No big deal.

Toddlers...Food

Today I did food as my theme.

Here is the plan I did:

Open Shut Them

Chips and Salsa by Reynolds
 - this one seemed a little long but they were pretty attentive. I made it a bit interactive by shouting OLE!

Head Shoulders Knees and Toes
If you're Happy and You know it (ending with If you want to hear a story sit right down)

Pigs Love Potatoes by Anika Denise

Song on Uke - I am hungry (from Jbrary)

fingerplay
5 Little Hotdogs - Jbrary

Draw and sing
Aiken Drum - I forgot the tune at first but I got it eventually

Shaker song
I know a Chicken - by Laurie Berkner
 - they love this one so much I am thinking about making it an every week thing

What a miracle  by Hap Palmer

My early literacy tip today was on play.

Gardens for preschool

I almost forgot to tell you about this one. I went to my favorite preschool for the last outreach visit of the school year.

I did a song I really like called Curious Garden by Ellen Arrow. The kids really liked it and the hand motions are a little tough. Here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqAv8Aw2J7c

It is based on the book Curious Garden by Peter Brown so I read the book first and then did the song.

Also read:
Carrot Soup by Segal
Who's Garden is It? by Hobberman

Also sang
Can you plant a bean? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCKEdDEr82k
May there always be sunshine


It was a great storytime to end the week. (and the school year) :-)

Bugs for toddlers

A small group, so I was able to do 3 books. The little boy from last week that was very disruptive was there again. I waited until I had the caregiver's attention and then said the rules (they were late last week). I specifically said, stay out of my stuff. (but a little nicer) It didn't help. The caregiver (maybe a grandmother) just watched as he tried to get into my stuff. I didn't let him but she did. If it continues I might have to speak to her.

Here's what I did:

Books:

Tiny Little Fly by Rosen

Can you make a scary face? by Thomas
 - not as big a hit as usual most likely due to the small group

In the Tall Tall Grass by Fleming

Songs:

Itsy Bitsy Spider with puppets
 - I had a bunch of insect puppets so I sent them all up the spout and back down. They liked it.
Ants go marching with instruments

All in all this wasn't bad. I think compared to last week, which was total chaos, it was pretty good.

Beach Day!

In honor of Memorial Day I did Beach as my theme today.

I had a larger crowd that usual and many came in late. I need to figure out how to make sure the latecomers know the rules. I could wait until after the first song to do the rules.

Books I used:
To the Beach by Ashman
Fun dog Sun Dog by Heiligman

Songs:
Open Shut them
Shake your sillies out
If you're happy and you know it
Bubbles to Beach, Beach Sandy Beach by the Wiggles

Flannel
3 little jelly fish
Sharks in the sea

I got a little flustered and just had to quit. I tried to read my factual book about the seashore after the bubbles but no one was listening. I just took the coloring sheets to the tables.

The one little boy (late comer) that went into my closet (he opened the door I am pretty sure) was a big pain so I will have to block it off next time. Ugh!

Gardens for early head start

Same as toddler time but with the song Curious Garden by Emily Arrow. Awesome song!

Gardens for toddlers

I have a couple of families that come in late so for one that started out small and ended up pretty big, it went well.

Books:
Dig In! by Jenson-Elliot
and Then It's Spring by Fogliano

Songs:
In the Garden - Raffi with motions
Itsy bitsy spider
Garden Song - with shakers
Can you Plant a Bean - here (I messed this up big time, oh well)
Open shut them
Shake your sillies
If you're happy and you know it
What a miracle

Puppet poem
There's Something in my garden here

Finger play
10 little peas

Flannel
5 little flowers

It went okay. When I only had 5 to start I was going to do another book but when the ranks swelled to 14 I couldn't get to it. They were pretty tired by the end and I was too. So that equals a success in my book!

Mother's day - Toddler Storytime

Songs:
Open Shut Them
Shake your Sillies out
If you're happy and you know it
I love my Mommy by Lewin (with shakers)
MOMMY (to bingo)
What a Miracle

Fingerplay
5 little monkeys

Puppet Show
Mother Mother I want Another by Robbins

Books:
I Love Mommy by Braun
Piglet and Mama by Wild

The kids today were pretty wild. It didn't help that a couple of the parents were having social time and thought it was cute how their kids were running around everywhere. The best attended was my puppet show. My voice is pretty shot and I am exhausted. I am afraid my microfrowns might have been a little more macro today but at least I got through it.

Boxes - Toddlers

This was a really enjoyable storytime. Timing was great and the kids pretty under control.

Here is the run down:

Opening song -  Open, Shut Them

Books:
Thank you Bear by Foley
Spots in a Box by Ward
Not a Box by Portis

Action songs:
Shake your sillies out
If you're happy and you know it
What a Miracle

Finger plays:

Jack in the Box
Jack in the box, you sit so still,
(make a fist with thumb inside)
Won't you come out?
Yes, I will!
(Pop out thumb)

Little Turtle
I had a little turtle (make fist with thumb sticking out)
Who lived in a box (cup hands together)
He swam in a puddle and climbed on the rocks (with hands swim and climb)
He snapped at a mosquito (clap)
He snapped at a flea (clap)
He snapped at a minnow (clap)
And he snapped at me! (clap)
He caught the mosquito (cup hands) he caught the flea (cup hands) he caught the minnow (cup hands)
But he didn't catch me! (wag finger)

Song cube
I took at square (empty) tissue box and put clip art pictures on each side representing songs. Each child rolled the cube and we sang the song.

The songs are:
Wheels on the bus
Row, row row your boat
Baa baa black sheep
I'm a little teapot
If you're happy and you know it.

I just did 1 verse or for wheels on the bus I did 3 each time the song came up. Wheels on the bus was the most popular.

Bean bag rock by Stewart

Lost and Found with toddlers

I did a new theme today. There are many books about Lost and Found and I did a few for the toddlers today. The kids were a little stir crazy because of a few days of rain.

Books:
Knuffle Bunny by Willems
What's the matter Bunny Blue? by Smee
Little Lost Owl by Haughton

I don't usually do 3 books but they took a little break from running around the room and listened a bit.

Songs
Open shut them
Shake your sillies out
If you'er happy and you know it
I thought I lost you from Bolt with instruments'
What a miracle

Song:
Hug my bunny (tune: Found a Peanut)
Hug my bunny, hug my bunny, hug my bunny just now,
Just now I hug my bunny, hug my bunny, just now.

Load the laundry
Play outside
Lost my bunny
Can't stop crying
Check the washer
Found my bunny

Flannel Rhymes
Little Bo Peep
Little Boy Blue

With a new theme, I usually bomb the first time but this one went pretty well. It was a little short.  I might do a puppet story next time - Runaway Bunny - since I had done a puppet story last week I decided not to do it this week.

Worms with toddlers

I did my worm program again. It went well but it was a little short. I think I could have done another action song but I was out of ideas by the end.

Books:
Ned's New Home by Tseng
-Love this one for Toddlers
Inch by Inch by Lionni
-I remember this one from when I was young. Works pretty well for the toddlers as long as read with drama.

Flannel:
A Very Hungry Caterpillar by Carle
-this one went well.

Puppets:
Big Fat Worm by Van Laan
-One toddler insisted on standing at my knees. I tried to ignore but it was tough.

Action Rhyme with scarves:

WIGGLE WORMS

Wiggle your worms up, then wiggle them down.
Wiggle your worms around and around.

Wiggle them high, wiggle them low.
Wiggle them fast, wiggle them slow.

Wiggle them over, the tops of your toes.
Wiggle them under the tip of your nose.

Wiggle them up your arm to the top
Wiggle them down to your fingers and stop.

Wiggle your worm ‘cross the top of your head,
Then put your worm back in his own little bed.  (either put back in bag or cover up in hands.)

Songs:
Open Shut Them
Shake Your Sillies Out by Raffi
If you're happy and you know it
Walter the Waltzing Worm by Palmer with scarves
What a Miracle by Palmer

Early Head Start - Worms

I did my worms toddler storytime for Early Head Start.
It went okay. The kids had some fun. Because it is spring break there was an older sibling there and she liked to answer all the questions. Of course none of the little ones said a word.

Books
Inch by Inch by Lionni
Worms for Lunch by Gore
Bob and Otto by Bruel

Songs
Itsy bitsy Spider
The More we Get Together
Shake your Sillies out
If you're happy and you know it
May there always be sunshine
The Littlest Worm with shakers

Game
Where's Little Worm

Puppet show
Big Fat Worm by Van Laan

The game and puppet show weren't very successful. The kids didn't understand the game (the 5 year old loved it) and they were only mildly interested in the puppet story. The adults seemed to appreciate them.

Preschool Outreach - Cats

There was a very small group today but it went well.

Books:
Feathers for Lunch! by Ehlart
Lost Cat by Mader
Pete the Cat and his Magic Sunglasses by Dean
Drat that Cat! by Patton

Puppet show:
Cat's Drum (based on folk tale Cat's Meow)

Songs:
Open shut them
Little Cat (see below)
May there always be sunshine
List of Dances

It was all good!!!!

Cats - Toddlers

The kids were very wound up this time.

I did theses books:

Pete the Cat and His 4 Groovy Buttons by Litwin

Where is Tippy Toes by Lewin

Songs:
Little Cat by Nancy Stewart on uke with signs

Little Cat by Nancy Stewart
        C    G7            C          G7
Little cat (meow), little cat (meow)
           C                 F        G7           C
There’s a little cat walking all around
              G7           C    G7
Little cat (meow), little cat (meow)
            C               F              G7       C
There’s a little cat walking all around.

Mouse, duck, dog




Open Shut Them
Shake your Sillies out
Kitty Hokie Pokie
I know a chicken with shakers (I was going to do the Cat came Back but it is too long)

Finger play:
5 little kittens jumping on the bed
Flannel:
5 little kittens

The kids were a little crazy today. By the end there were about 3 or 4 of them running round the room. I haven't had that for a while. One had a breakdown just as we were ending.

There was at least one little boy who was turned off by the craziness. Not sure what to do about that. I ask nicely to get them to sit but I have given up anything else.

socks and shoes - toddler

I had a big group today. Only did 2 books, many songs, and one game. The game didn't go as well as I had hoped. They got a little out of control. Perhaps I should have used our large standing flannel board rather than the small portable one.

Books:
Pete the Cat: I love my white shoes by Litwin
Duck Sock Hop by Kohuth

Songs:
Everybody Knows I Love My Toes from jbrary
Head Shoulders knees and toes
Shake your Sillies out
If you're Happy and You Know It
Boots by Laurie Berkner with instruments
What a Miracle
Open Shut Them

Rhyme:
1,2 Buckle my Shoe

Shoes – finger play start with hands close together and move out with each addition

Baby shoes

Child shoes

Mother shoes

Father shoes

Clown Shoes

Giant Shoes

Game:

Socks (like this)

Things that Go! Toddler Storytime

I had a small group because the schools are opening late but I wasn't surprised. I was little surprised that the kids did not want to participate much. They all seemed very tired. I guess they played in the slush/snow yesterday.

Open Shut them

Digger and Tom by Braun

Shake your Sillies out

Bumping up and down in my little red wagon with uke

Hello Airplane by Cotter

Wheels on the bus

Flannel story - Freight Train by Crews

Row Row Row your boat

Action Rhyme: The Airplane

The airplane has great big wings (arms outstretched)

Its propeller spins around and sings “WWWW!” (make one arm go round)

The airplay goes up (lift arms)

The airplane goes down (lower arms)

The airplane flies high (arms outstretched, turn body around)

Over the town! (fly around)

The bus for us by Bloom

Drive my Car by Laurie Berkner with cushions for steering wheels

What a Miracle

Because there were only 4 kids, and they were sleepy, I got through all the books I had plus an extra. So different from my normal toddlers.

Pigs! for toddler storytime

This was a fun and excellent storytime! I had a few more kids than I usually do and that helped but also, I think cutting back to 2 books was a great idea!

Books:
Zoink by Most
If you give a Pig a Pancake by Numeroff

Songs:
"Pig on her Head" with uke and puppets.
I put the puppet on a kids head and sang the song.
Very popular! Of course, now I have to remember their names.:-(

Piggy pokey
Shake your sillies out
If you're Happy and You know it
I know a chicken with shakers
What a miracle

The Tail of the pig (to wheels on the bus) from here

Flannel
Piggy piggy let me see from here

Fingerplay
This little piggy with to the market (with hands)

Pig with pancakes for coloring sheet from here

Rain - toddlers

Songs:
Open Shut them
Shake your sillies
If you're happy and you know it
It's Got to rain if you want a Rainbow by Harmonica Pocket with scarves
If all the Raindrops on uke
What a Miracle

Fingerplays/flannel:
Itsy Bitsy Spider
5 little rain drops
Big raindrops

Books:
Wow! Said the Owl by Hopgood
Itsy Bitsy Spider by Trapani

The toddlers were good for the first book! After that it was a bit crazy. I gave the adults the words to the fingerplays which worked well. I should have practiced my Uke song more.

I didn't do Mudpuddles by Caspar Babypants. I was going to put out the cushions and use them as puddles but I had visions of them falling all over the place so I didn't use them.

Bathtime - toddlers

Success!

I took it back a step and did a combo babies storytime and toddler and it worked out great!

I only did 2 stories and many many songs.
I gave the adults a page with words on it and that kept everyone on the same page.

Here is what I did:

Books:
Get Out Of My Bath! by Teckentrump
 - a nice interactive book to start out with
Scrubba Dub by Van Laan
 - a book in rhyme, they started to lose interest by the end

Songs:
Take me out of the bathtub with uke
Row, row, row your boat
This is the way we wash our face with scarves
Shake your sillies out
If you're Happy and you know it
Open shut them
What a miracle
Bathtime by Raffi with bubbles

Flannels:
Colored bubbles
5 elephants in the tub

I have a plan and I can execute it until they get a little older. I am happy!

Dance - Preschool

I filled in for a sick colleague and did the one from last Friday.

Only difference was I added this book:

Daisy the Dancing Cow by Woodworth

It went very well.

Preschool outreach - Dance

This was the same as toddlers with different books.

Catty Jane Likes to Dance by Gorbechev
Hilda Must Be Dancing by Wilson
Duck Sock Hop by Kohuth

It went very well but could have had another story. The other stories I had with me were very similar to these so I decided just to dance. 😊

Dance - Toddler storytime

Well, after last week's problems with kids not paying attention, I decided to do my dance theme since that would get them up and moving. I used books that can include movement. The weird thing was that while they paid attention to the books some, they were up and moving around constantly. When I put in the Mexican Hat Dance and threw a hat on the floor they were sitting quietly on their parents lap. Then I did one more book and they were up and moving again.

Weird...I think I will try doing a more babish program next time and see if that works.

Books:

The Croaky Pokey by Long
Wiggle by Cronin
Hilda Must Be Dancing by Wilson

Songs:
List of Dances by Gill
Hokey Pokey on uke
Shake your sillies out on uke
Happy and you know it
Shake Shake by Litwin with shakers
Mexican Hat Dance

Early Head Start - Hugs and Kisses

As usual I had just a few kids but I had very enthusiastic adults because the teachers were being observed today. They asked me to wash my hands which they have never done before.

I did a valentiny program.

Books:

A kiss like this by Murphy
How do dinosaurs say I love you by Yolan
How do you hug a porcupine by Isop
I am going to give you a bear hug by Cooney

Songs:
Alabama Mississippi
Skidamarink
Shaking Everywhere (with shakers)
Shake your Sillies out on uke
Hokey pokey on uke
If you're happy and you know it
May there always be sunshine on uke

Fingerplay
5 little valentines

It was pretty good. By the end I only had 3 (our of 7) listening to the books but I felt the pressure to do an entire 30 minutes so I did an extra story.

Valentines - hugs and kisses

Books
How do you hug a Porcupine by Isop
Hug a Bug by Spinelli
A Kiss Like This by Murphy

Songs
Skidamarink
There's a little wheel a turnin' in my heart (Berkner) with instruments
You're my Rainbow on uke
plus the usual

Fingerplay
Little Heart

Flannel
5 little hearts

I had some trouble keeping their attention. I am catching a cold so I was not quite as peppy as usual.

There was one screamer/taker. She wanted my uke so I had to stop her. Made the whole thing better when she left but I couldn't get their attention. Sad...

Dragon Toddler Storytime

I have done dragons before but have had some difficulty finding toddler level books. I found a couple so I decided to give it a go.

Songs:

Open Shut them

Shake your Sillies out/If you’re happy and you know it

Do the Dragon Dance by Ronno

Puff the Magic Dragon with scarves

What a Miracle by Palmer

Books:

The Best Pet of All by LaRochelle

-this was a hit

Oh No Little Dragon by Averbeck

-cute!

Hush Little Dragon by Ashburn

 - this one had a little too much eating of people in it but they weren't really paying much attention so I shortened it

Puppet Show/Book

Not Your Typical Dragon by Bar-El http://storytimewithmisstara.blogspot.com/2013/09/dragons.html

- I have done this as a puppet show with preschoolers but not toddlers. It was a bit long for this age so I shortened it quite a bit.

Finger Play

5 Green Dragons

Five green dragons making such a roar.
One danced away and then there were four.
Four green dragons dancing around a tree.
One danced away and then there were three.
Three green dragons dancing around you.
One danced away and then there were two.
Two green dragons dancing in the sun.
One danced away and then there was one.
One green dragon having lots of fun
She danced away and then there were none.

A pretty lively group but with some criers. After the first book they got tired, I think.

Outreach to preschool - Farm

I love going to this preschool. It is a small group - 9 kids and the adults are so welcoming it really sets the moon.

I did my farm storytime but substituted longer books since this group is 4s and 5s.

Books:
Down by the barn by Hillenbrand
Book Book book by Bruss
I Spy on the Farm by Gibbs - with puppets not book
Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type by Cronin - not sure the understood what a typewritter is but they liked it anyway.
Farmyard Beat by Craig with puppets - I wasn't going to do this one but I have it memorized and I had some extra time so I did it anyway. A hit as usual!

I did I Spy like a game where they guessed what animal it was by seeing one small part. Very popular.

Songs:
Old MacDonald - with puppets
The Tractor on the Farm - with uke
If your happy and you know it - with uke
May there always be sunshine - with uke
Jump up, turn around by Gill
I know a chicken by Berkner with shakers

It was a very full storytime and I had a great time!

Toddler storytime - Farm

An old favorite. I changed the books to the following:

I Spy on the Farm with puppets.
This would be better with preschoolers. The only kids who were getting it were older siblings.

Cock a Doodle Quack Quack by Baddiel
This was a good one to start with, longer but not too long.

Chicken, Chicken, Duck by Krilanovich
Not a favorite. Only the last page got some interest.

Farm Yard Beat  by Craig
I often do this one as a puppet story but I had 2 other puppet things so I opted to read it.

Everything else was the same as this one 

Toddler Storytime - Colors

Yes, I am being a bit redundant but why not use it more than once? I will be doing Babies on Saturday with colors too but each age and group is different. I will just list what I did differently today:

I did the same books and songs but I did these flannels:

Rainbow Stew

Baaa Baa Black Sheep (blue, yellow, green, purple, red, and rainbow)

Early Head Start Outreach - Colors

This toddler group was small but seemed to enjoy themselves.

Books:
Where is the Green Sheep? by Fox

Maisy's Rainbow Dream by Cousins

Meeow and the Blue Table by Braun

Pete the Cat: I love My White Shoes by Litwin

Songs:
If you're Happy and you know it
Head Shoulder Knees and Toes
Rainbow Connection (with scarves)
Color Song (with shakers)

Flannel
Butterfly Colors
https://storytimekatie.com/2014/05/16/flannel-friday-butterflies/

Count Down to Noon

On the 31st, I had a program for all ages where we celebrated the New Year.

It was a lot of fun! 55 people came and I was not prepared!

I read 3 books and we talked about them.

Danced the Hokey Pokey and YMCA.

Had them write down their resolutions.

Made party hats.

Handed out noise makers, balls, balloons, and bubbles.

Went crazy at 12 noon with a count down and confetti.

Sang Auld Lang Syne.

It was exhausting and I am not sure if people were satisfied but now it is done.


For the future: have everything ready if need more stuff. Make sure everyone is ready to make more craft things. Tell everyone the rules of glitter before leaving the room. Find a book for older kids. sing more songs.