Count Downdown to Noon!

This was extremely successful! I had over 30 kids (and some babies) and 25 adults!

We stared at 11 with the Hello New Year Goodbye old song.

Then the book:

Shante Keys and the Black Eyed Peas by Piernas-Davenport - then we talked about what kind of traditions we have at our house.

Next we did "Can't wait to Celebrate" by Jim Gill.

Then I did New Years is marching round the bend EIEIO with puppets

Then we practiced counting down

Then I read First Night by

We then went to do some crafts:

Spin drum
2019 head band
coloring sheets

I put on some dancing music when some kids were finished. We did the hokey pokey.

At 5 til noon I called them all together and we grabbed a handful of confetti and counted down and threw.

I had bought some kisses but I forgot about them until after. Whew!
When I was picking up the confetti a few kids came and helped me pick it up. It was awesome!

Holiday Storytime for Toddlers

I wanted to do a combination of all the December holidays but ended up just doing 3.

Books:
Rory the Dinosaur Needs a Christmas Tree by Climo
How do Dinosaurs say Happy Chanukah by Yolan

Songs:
The More we get together
Let's All Do a Little Clapping
Jumping and Clapping
7 candles of Kwanza (flannel)
Jingle Bells (with bells)
Sleigh Ride (with bells)

I had a nice crowd and they were very attentive. I would have to guess they are trying to get on the "Nice" list. Our craft was a candle (gluing) because all the holidays have them.

Toddlers - dogs

Dogs is one of my favorite themes and it showed.

The books I read:

Oh No George! by Haughton
If you give a dog a doughnut by Numeroff

Songs:
Bingo - with flannel on the uke
There's a dog in school on the uke
The more we get together with signs
Digga Dog Dig by Harmonica Pocket

Then we did the stretchy band and it went okay.

We did row row row your boat
The wheels on the bus

Then I turned around to put in a song and everyone was gone when I got back.

Ha - learned my lesson!

Toddler Halloween Fun!

Everyone dressed up for our Halloween Toddlers.

Songs:
The more we get together with signs
If you're a monster and you know it
Jumping and Counting
Witches Brew by Hap Palmer with instruments

Books:
Pug and Pig Trick or Treat by Wan
 - the parents loved this one
Pete the Cat: 5 little pumpkins by Dean

Puppet/flannel
5 little ghosties based on the Chocolate Chip Ghost by Peifer

We went out into the library for our halloween parade. It went very well and we did a real craft with gluing paper onto pumpkin coloring sheets. They liked it so much I might do them once a month.

toddlers - Body Parts

Books:
From Head to Toe by Carle
Wiggle by Cronin
Spunky Monkey by Martin

Dance - Shake your body down

Songs
Rub a dub dub - with scarves
Head Shoulders knees and toes
hands are for clapping
If you're happy and you know it
What a miracle
The more we get together

early head start - book and library

Books
Dinosaur vs. the library
Llama Llama love to read
Read it don't eat it

songs
Shake your sillies out
if youre happy and you know it
May there always be sunshine
The more we get together
Shake your shakers (uke) to twist and shout

Fingerplay
5 little books

Puppets
I took my frog to the library


Lots of eyes not much play.

Bugs - toddlers

Books:
Look Out Ladybug by Tickle
The Very Hungry Caterpiller by Carle (flannel board)
Can you Make a Scary Face? by Thomas

Songs:
A Fly on my Toe (to farmer's in the dell) with fly puppets
Jumping and Counting
Ants go Marching with instruments (marching!)
What a Miracle
The More we get together

I also did the signs for butterfly and bug.

This one when very well. I got the adults to participate more and  we all had fun.

Fall, leaves, Fall-toddlers

A good turn out today.
I got the adults up and moving for Jumping and counting!
Not much interest in my closing song but that's okay.

Books:
Mouse's First Fall by Thompson
Old Bear by Henkes

Songs:
The More we get together
Jumping and Counting
The leaves on the trees (to wheels on the bus)
Leaves are falling Rebecca Frezza with shakers and I threw little accucut leaves around the room - they loved this
What a Miracle

Flannels:
5 little leaves
Fall is not easy

toddlers - Rain

Not my best storytime just 7 kids but okay.

Books -
Rain by Usher
Itsy Bitsy Spider by Tarapani
It's Raining It's pouring by Eagle

Flannel -
5 little raindrops

Fingerplay - Itsy bitsy spider

Harmonica Pocket's - Gotta rain if you want a rainbow with scarves

What a miracle.

toddlers - Dinosaurs

I found a very cute book* on the new book shelf and thought it would work nicely for toddlers.

We Love Dinosaurs by Volpin *
Dinosaur Parade by Halpern
We are the Dinosaurs by Berkner with CD

Songs:
The more we get together
Jumping and Counting
Skinamadink
Dino-Pokey
Dinos in the swamp (to wheels on the bus)
Dino Ditty dum ditty do (not great)
Shopping with a Brontosaurus by Daddy Donut with shakers
I know a chicken with shakers

Fingerplay
5 little dinosaurs (not great)

When pretty well. Had a couple of older kids due to school being out.
Shopping with a brontosaurus didn't work very well so i did I know a Chicken to wrap up.
I wasn't going to do 3 books but they were pretty quiet and I didn't have a flannel. 3 boys left before the end.

County Fair with toddlers

Our county fair is this week so I did that as my theme. They had a coloring sheet in the fair catalog that I used for the coloring page.

Books:
Minerva Louise Goes to the Fair by Stoeke
I spy on the Farm by Gibbs

Songs:
The More we Get Together with signs
Jumping and County by Gill
County Fair by Lonestar with instruments
What a Miracle by Palmer

Felt board
Largest Watermelon Contest

puppets
On a Stick

Game:
I spy with puppets

The kids were pretty good today. I had a bunch come in late. (about 1/3)
2 parents in the back who came late and just chatted with their babies on their laps were not happy to hear country music.

Piggies! for toddlers

Books:
Who said Coo! by Ruddel
If you give a pig a pancake by Numeroff

Songs:
The more we get together with signs
Jumping and counting by Gill (tip: helps kids learn control)
Laurie's got a pig on her head - with uke
-when around with pig puppet putting it on their heads theuy told me their names
-PJ, John, Cassie, Joseph, Teague ugh!
the Piggies tail goes round and round to wheels on the bus
What a miracle

Kids were nuts! Some went into the cabinet by the sink. One went behind me under the table. Good energy for the pig on her head. I will do names again next week.

Went pretty well, considering there are many new young ones.

Ready for Kindergarten

We had a small group but it went well.

6 kindergarteners, some siblings, and moms.

Books: Tinyville Town: Time for school by Biggs
Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Willems
Pete the Cat and his school shoes by Litwin

Songs:
Follow directions Rap
Line up Song
The Goldfish song by Berkner
Wheels on the bus

I started by welcoming everyone and reading Tinyville. The kids seemed to like it but they needed to warm up a little. My colleague did the calendar and the follow directions rap. I read Pigeon then she read Pete. The kids went on the bus and they sang Wheels. I did not go on the bus. They did a backpack out of paper. Lots of cutting.

Outreach - Reading Camp of 1-4 graders

40 kids
15 Adults
5 teenagers

Total Chaos!

I read The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors by Drew Daywalt. I did it very dramatically and with voices. It went over very well. We played the game after. I also did Tooty Ta.

They loved it!

Then it was scavenger hunt and check out.

Next time we should either skip the scavenger hunt or give the prizes to the director.

Cats with Toddlers

Today I did one of my favorite themes, Cats!

Books:
Pete the Cat and his 4 Groovy Buttons by Litwin - Flannel
Kitten's first full moon by Henkes

Songs:
The more we get together with signs
Shake your Sillies out
If you're a kitty and you know it
Skinamarink
The Cat came back with instruments
What a miracle

Flannel
5 little kitty cats

This one went pretty well. I had a few bigger kids because it is summer and they were pretty bored. The Henkes book that I did first wasn't quite as successful as Pete but not bad. The coloring sheet had the extra fun of putting buttons on Pete.

Friends - toddler storytime

Today I wanted to do a happy storytime and with all the sad things in the news I just needed to. This is one I did from scratch so I have been planning it for a few weeks.

Opening - The More We Get Together with signs

Book #1 - A Splendid Friend Indeed by Bloom - This one is short but very sweet. I made sure I pointed out how the bear was feeling since the kids were pretty far away to see his eyes.

Action song - Jumping and Counting by Gill
-this one is good for teaching kids to wait. Self regulation.

Book #2 - Pepo and Lolo are Friends by Larrianigo
 - this one is also short but very good.

Fingerplay - Five good Friends - (five little ducks tune)
Five good friends, went out to play, It was a bright and sunny day.
One good friend said, I can't stay. Then there were 4 friends left to play. (4,3,2,1,no)

Action Song - Skinnamarink

- This one went over very well, they all knew it, so we did it twice. I might use this more.

Shaker song - Count on Me by Bruno Mars

 - I thought about playing this on my uke but I just don't think I know it well enough to play and sing and watch the kids at the same time.

You are my sunshine - since I have brought my uke I needed to use it at some point so we did a little more shaking. I did the first verse 2 time.

Closing song : Hands are for Clapping by Gill

 - I forgot my CD with my usual song so I did this one. It worked pretty well. The kids can't snap their fingers so I told them to click their tongue.

Dance - Toddler storytime

After 2 weeks off, I got quite a welcome back. I had 48 people today! (norm is about 20)

They were very loud and active so I am glad I did dance.

Books:
The Nuts Sing and Dance in Your Polka Dot Pants by Litwin

Doing the Animal Bop by Ormerod - this has a cd with it that reads the book and has music to dance to, good thing because I was having trouble talking over the crowd.

Songs-
The more we get together with signs - I added Dance
Silly Dance contest by Gill
Chicken Dance
Walter the Waltzing Worm with scarves
What a miracle

Whew! I am exhausted. So glad it is over. I think a local mom's group came that picks a different library each week. There were about 15 kids i didn't recognize.

Toddlers and Food

Well, I had a bigger group than I have had so I didn't get to half of what I had planned but here is what I did.

Songs
The more we get together (with signs)
I like to eat apples and bananas (with signs)
Hands are for Clapping
Spaghetti Legs
If you're happy and you know it
What a Miracle

Books
On top of spaghetti
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Carle with flannel board
 - this one I handed out the fruit and had the kids put them on the flannel board

I didn't even do musical instruments which I had planned because the flannel board activity took too long. They liked it but they were so crazy!

Father's day Toddler Storytime

There are quite a few Daddy books these days so since I did Mother's day it seemed fair to do Father's day too.

Books:
My Daddy is a Giant by Norac
Daddy Hugs by Tafuri

Songs:
The more we get together (with signs)
Shake your Sillies out
Jumping and Counting
Shake your Bootie - with shakers
Teach your Children (very short) - with shakers
DADDY (to Bingo)
5 ties for daddy - Flannel

Went pretty well. People trickled in as usual. Ended up with 9 kids.

Jungle Animals - Toddler

This one went pretty well. I found a new cd that I liked "Wild Child" that I just had to use.

Books:
Spunky Monkey by Won - this is a new book. The kids were a little clueless that they need to do the motions along with the book.
I'm the Scariest Thing in the Jungle by Derrick

Songs:
The more we get together
Jumping and Counting
The Lion Sleeps tonight - on uke with shakers
Sunrise in the Jungle by Grunsky with shakers
What a Miracle

Fingerplay
5 little monkeys

I cut it short a bit because by the end I was losing my voice.

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.

Gardens/Earth day with toddlers

Before everyone came I put on Books, Books by Emily Arrow. Then I did the hand motions when some came in early and they joined it. It ends with, "We'll start in one-two-three" so it worked great.

Books:
My Garden by Henkes
A Handful of Sunshine by Eclare
- this one is great, has very large photos

Songs:
The more we get together.
I know a chicken - with shakers
Shake your Sillies
If you love the earth clap your hands
What a miracle

Fingerplays
10 plump peas
Dig a little hole

Puppets
There's something in my garden

This one went very well. I usually do a flannel but I have been of vaca and just couldn't get it together. I did extra fingerplays instead and they liked that fine. Favorite was the puppets.

We did a handprint mural to hang in the library, they loved this too.

Bugs for Toddlers

Same theme as last week for outreach.

I did a different flannel, Pretty little ladybug  But I have a big ladybug that I draw on with a white board marker. Works great.

Books:
Tiny little fly by Roslen
One Little Blueberry by Salzano
Can you make a scary face? by Thomas
Showed Insects from book by Taylor

Songs:
Jump by Gill
If you're happy and you know it
Everybody wants to be a butterfly by Litwin
What a Miracle by Palmer

Small group, went pretty well.

Bugs for Preschool Outreach

Once again did my bugs program. It went very well. Same as Head Start with these additions:

My Busy Garden by Pierce
 - long and difficult to read but went over pretty well

The Butterfly Song on the Uke for scarves (forgot my CD)
Jim Gill's One from the left and Hands are for Clapping
May there always be sunshine on uke

I had our new LA with me and she just watched but she had some nice things to say.

Early Head Start and Head start - Bugs

Today was my first program for a while. I have been sick and before that I was at PLA.

Early Head Start:
There were more kids than I had ever had. Because I am still feeling a little under the weather, I didn't take my uke.

Books:
Tiny Little Fly by Rosen
 - went well, they paid attention
Itsy Bitsy Spider by Trapani
-started losing them
Can you Make a Scary Face by Thomas
-totally lost them but some came back by the end

Songs:
Hands are for Clapping
Everyone wants to be a butterfly by Litwin with scarves
-went well
Shake your Sillies out by Raffi
If you're happy and you know it

Flannel
5 little ladybugs

The little ones were all over the place. Some were in my stuff, some just playing, and one was taking books out of the bookshelf behind me. Very distracting. Had to finish in about 20 minutes.

Head Start:
They were outside when I got there. I wasn't sure if it would be crazy or good. Turns out it was good.

Books:
Tiny Little Fly
Can you make a scary face?
The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out by Cummings
-this one was a little long but okay

Game
Bug under the Rug
-they loved this one

Songs:
The more we get together
Everyone wants to be a butterfly with scarves
If you're Happy and you know it
Shoo Fly don't bother me with puppets.

Went pretty well. They liked the scarves and fly puppets.

Green - Toddlers

In honor of St. Pat's day, I did green. Mostly because there are so few St. Pat's day books that work for storytime and most are too long for this age.

Songs:
The more we get together (with signs)
If you're Irish and you know it
Jumping and Counting
Irish Jig (from Folk Dance Fun)
I know a Chicken (with shakers)
What a miracle

Flannel:
5 little shamrocks

Books:
Green by Seegar
Where is the Green Sheep by Mem Fox
Little Green by Keith Baker

This was a small group to start with, only 4 kids but some came late so it there were 10 by the end.
The books worked pretty well. Even Green worked. (I did it last)
The Jig was a little crazy because I got all out of breath but the kids can't do the moves at the age so it was mostly just jumping around.

Rain for Toddlers

We have a couple of leaks in our meeting room so I had to do toddlers on the floor. I picked the area between teens and audio books. Not the best place but there are few choices.

I forgot  my opening song and just dove into a book.

Wow Said Owl by Hopgood
They were not paying attention for the most part because I put down cushions and all they wanted to do was play with them. This always happens so I don't usually use them. Then after about 15 minutes someone threw one so I took them away.

Shake your Sillies out
If you're happy and you know it

Fingerplay
Itsy bitsy Spider

Book (tie in) - I sang it for the most part
Itsy Bitsy Spider by Trapani

It's Gotta Rain if you want a Rainbow by Pocket Harmonica
with scarves

Flannel:
5 little Raindrops

I wasn't going to do my flannels but I heard a parent say, sit down so you can hear a story. Didn't want to disappoint so I did.

Closing song:
What a Miracle

They were all over the place as usual but the parents didn't know what to do since there was very little room. Not ideal. But what can you do?

Passive preschool storytime

R was sick so I put books, craft from another day, and some music in the meeting room and the kids went to town. Seemed to work pretty well.

Dragons - toddler storytime

I have done dragons for toddlers on occasion but the books are not great for 18-36 months. I tried it anyway. It was okay, but a couple of the kids were not there to listen to the books and they got the others riled up. I came close to losing my voice.

Songs:
Open Shut Them
If you're Happy and you know it
Jumping and Clapping
Dragon Mountain with shakers
What a Miracle

Books:
The best pet of all by LaRochelle
Not Your Typical Dragon by Bar-el (couldn't even get them to settle down for a puppet story)
One Drowsy Dragon by Long    (they really didn't need 3 stories but I did it anyway, couldn't hurt)

Ten little dragons flannel

So not bad just not good.

Pizza for toddlers

Okay, well with this being my 3rd pizza storytime in a week, it went pretty well. The kids however were pretty loud and crazy.

Song:
The more we get together
Shake your sillies
If you happy and you know it (with additional verse - if you like pizza and you know it)
Pizza, Pizza, Pizza from Ratatouille (with instruments)
I am a pizza with uke
P-I-Z-Z-A (to bingo)

Books:
Hi Pizza Man by Walter
The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza  by Strurges (a little long for these kids but sometimes you just have to do one that is a little longer)

Flannel
5 Leftover Pizza slices

Not too bad, I was having to speak loud over one kid's voice and then we cut it a little short due to kids running around but it was fine.

Pizza for Preschool Storytime

I filled in for a co-worker today. I did my old standby Pizza like I did last Friday.

There were only 4 kids but it went well.

Songs:
The more we get together with signs
Shaking Song by Gill - I was going to do List of Dances but my CD started skipping.
If you're happy and you know it
I am a pizza - echo song on uke
P-I-Z-Z-A on uke
Pizza by Mr. Jon with instruments
I cut this short since I was the only one marching around the room. It is a little slow for that.
What a miracle

Books:
Pizza Day by Iwai - this is a new one and not bad but a little small
Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza
Hi Pizza Man!  - finally back in print!

Flannel
5 leftover pizza pieces

It went fine but not very energetic. What can you expect with 4 kids.

Pizza at Preschool Outreach

I did my pizza storytime. It was pretty good.

Books:
Strega Nona - a bit long for this bunch
The Little Red Hen makes a Pizza - good
Hi Pizza Man!

Songs:
Open shut them
Hands are for clapping
I am a pizza (on uke)
Bean Bag Rock
May there always be sunshine

Flannel
5 leftover pizza pieces

I will do it again on Tuesday so this was a good dry run.

Peek a boo! babies storytime

I covered for a colleague today during babies storytime.  I had 10 kids! That is alot for us, but I have done more at other branches so not a problem. I did have a problem that most of them were late and most are walking. There went my bounces!

It was fine.

Opening:

Songs:
Alabama, Mississippi
Shake everything with shakers
Can you wave your scarf at me? with scarves
Peek a book with scarves
Bathtime with bubbles

Fingerplay:
Itsy bitsy spider

Flannel:
Brown Bear Brown Bear

Book to pass out:
Peek a boo Baby

Closing:
Now it's time to say goodbye

I had some trouble with the CDs, I should have written down which cd the songs were on. I thought I would remember. Silly me!

Valentine Toddlers, Headstart, and Early Head Start

I had toddlers today and Headstart yesterday so I did Valentine's for both.

Books:
The Perfect Hug by Walsh (Toddlers)
How do Dinosaurs Say I love You? by Yolan (both T and HS)
A Kiss Like This by Murphy (EHS)
Please Baby Please by Lee (EHS)
How do you Hug a Porcupine by Isop (HS)

Songs
There's a little wheel turning in my heart (EHS and T)
Shake your Sillies out (T)
If you're happy and you know it
Skidamidink (EHS and T)
You are my Sunshine (T and HS)
You're my Rainbow on Uke (EHS)
Ring those Bells (T) with bells from H.U.M.

Fingerplay:
5 little valentines

This one went pretty well. All were a little short but that's because I skipped the flannel.
I just about lost my voice at Headstart so I only did CDs for toddlers. Tomorrow I do Babies. What a week!

Snow - toddlers

I did snow today even though it was raining and icy. I only had 5 kids because of school starting late.

Books:
Bear and Hare: Snow! by Gravett
The Snowy Day by Keats (big book) too long
Supertruck by Savage (a hit)

Songs:
The more we get together with signs
Shake your Sillies out
If you're Happy and you know it
It's not that Cold Outside (flannel)
What a Miracle
Snow day by Rebecca Frezza with shakers

Finger play
10 little mittens

Flannel
Building a Snowman

This was a pretty good group. They lost interest with The Snowy Day but like Supertruck.

Body Parts - Toddlers

Opening song: The more we get together

Sign language: Body

Book 1: Head to Toe by Carle

Songs:
Hands are for Clapping
Head Shoulders Knees and Toes
If your Happy and you Know it- this is where I lost some of them (they wanted to run around not listen to another story)

Book 2: My Octopus Arms by Baker - this lost a few more it was a bit long

Finger Play:
Where is my nose? got some back

Handed out Bean bags with rules - no throwing etc

Song: Bean Bag Rock

Song: Hokey Pokey

Coloring sheet

I didn't use my usual closing song because it was complete chaos. Had a few new kids today and they were not interested in being there. Made it hard to keep their interest. One of them started playing with a cart and I was afraid he would pinch his fingers. One came 15 minutes late and the door was closed do to a runner and I didn't see her. Luckily one of the other moms did.

Special Family program - Happy Unbirthday to everyone!

So I wasn't sure if I would get any people because we had a wildly popular program yesterday and got 35 kids. But I set up anyway because you never know. I might have decorated a bit more if I was a little surer but it was fine.

I had a 3 year old, a 4 year old, and a six year old in the beginning.  I told them about how Alice met Humpty Dumpty and he told her about Unbirthdays. I was going to read the chapter from Through the Looking Glass if I had older kids, but no need.

So I read 2 books.

A Birthday for Cow by Thomas (they liked this one)
Happy Birthday Cupcake by Border (not as successful)

Then we did the hokey pokey, musical hearts (like this), and pin the tail on the donkey.

Then another child came who was about 2.

So I went straight for the crafts. They needed quite a bit of help. They were preschool/kindergarten crafts. This and this (but it said Today is my Birthday)

Then I took out the musical instruments and put on music so if some were done they could play.

Next since most of them were done with their crafts, we had cake and lemonade. I cut the cake after we sang happy birthday. Since no one was singing I put on a CD with happy birthday on it.

I didn't have much else for them to do so I put on music and used my bubble gun. Then I said stay as long as you like and left for the desk.

Farm - toddlers

So I did my farm theme again. Toddler books and more music.

Books:
Cock-a-doodle Quack Quack by Baddiel
Farmyard Beat by Craig

Songs:
The more we get together - by Raffi
Shake your sillies out
If you're happy and you know it
Old MacDonald - with puppets
I love my rooster - with flannel
Down on the farm - with musical instruments
What a miracle

Farm - Outreach

I had 2 outreach so I did my farm theme.

I got a book from Interlibrary Loan called Old MacDonald Had a Dragon. It is a little grafic with the animals getting eaten but then the dragon burps and everyone lives happily ever after. The liked it but i wouldn't do it for much younger than 4.

Preschool at rec center
Books:
Old MacDonald had a dragon
Farmyard Beat
Book Book Book - they didn't get the joke but that is not new

Songs:
Old MacDonald - on uke - forgot puppets
I know a chicken with egg shakers
Jumping and Counting
May there always be sunshine on uke
Books, Books by Emily Arrow

Early head start
Books:
Cowlick
Hurry Hurry
Cock-a Doodle Quack Quack

Songs:
I know a chicken with shakers
Old Macdonald with puppets
The Pig on the bus goes... with puppets
Jumping and counting
Alabama Mississippi

Bathtime with toddlers

Books:
Bears in the Bath by Parenteau
Get Out of My Tub! by Techentrup
The Pigeon Needs a Bath by Willems

Songs:
The more we get together with signs
Jumping and Counting by Gill
Bathtime by Raffi with bubbles
What a Miracle by Palmer

Flannel
5 elephants in the tub
Colorful bubbles - This one didn't work very well. Too young.

I did 3 books just because I wanted to. Not a good idea since only one kid was paying attention. I stood up to read the books today so all the kids stood up too. Next time I will sit or kneel.

I got a new bubble gun at Target and it worked great!

Hats for Toddlers

I had a new staff member watching me today and I think it made me nervous. Also, not having done story time for 4 weeks.

Books:
Under my hood I have a hat by Kuskin
A Hat for Minerva Louise by Stoeke
Hooray for Hat! by Won

Songs:
The More we get together with signs
If you're happy and you know it
Cap, Mittens, shoes and socks
Mexican Hat dance
Give me my hat back by Bill Harley with shakers

Flannel:
H-A-T-S that spells hat

How it went:
The kids listened for the first one. I didn't do Jumping and Counting like I usually do. I also didn't do our closing. What happened with that? Anyway. I read the first 2 books did the first 2 songs and realized that it had only been 15 minutes. Fill, Fill, fill. I don't usually do 3 books and they really didn't listen to the third one but I didn't want to cut it short today since I had an observer. It was really manic and crazy but it is what it is.