Garden Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo), Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – Mrs. McNosh and the Great Big Squash by Sarah Weeks, pictures by Nadine Bernard Westcott
• Stand-up Activity - A Little Plant (action rhyme I found in 52 Programs for Preschoolers by Diane Briggs)
• Bridge - Open Shut Them (fingerplay)

Open, shut them
(open and close hands)
Open, shut them
Give a little clap (clap)
Open, shut them
Open, shut them
Put them in your lap
(put hands in lap)

Creep them, creep them
Under your chin
(creep fingers up chest)
Open your mouth, but don't put them in
(do as words say)

Open, shut them
Open, shut them
Give a little clap
Open shut them
Open shut them
Put them in your lap

• Flannelboard/Math Activity - Four Little Flowers (this is actually a fingerplay written by Jean Warren that I found on a website, not sure which one)

Four little flowers I did see.
I picked one, there there were three.

Three little flowers pretty and new.
I picked another, then there were two.

Two little flowers out in the sun.
I picked one more, there there was one.

One little flower left in the sun.
I picked it too, then there were none!

• Sit-down Activity -Ten Little Flowers (fingerplay written by Carol Hopkins)

(show and count your ten fingers)
Ten little flowers standing in the sun
(stretch and spread out fingers)
Ten thirsty flowers begin to droop
(bow down fingers)
Along come the clouds
(point to the sky)
And the rain begins to fall
(flutter hands down)
Ten little flowers lift their head to the sun again.
(lift fingers up from the bow)

• Book #2 - Jasper's Beanstalk by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen
• Activity – I'm a Little Sunflower (action song to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot" I found in a Mailbox magazine)
• Closing - Goin' On a Bear Hunt (rhythm stick song from Kids In Action by Greg & Steve)
• Craft – Paper and yarn beanstalk