Cookie Shapes - Baby Toddler Storytime

A Tuesday morning storytime for ages 0-2 years old.  

Opening #1: Skinnamarink (action song from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck from Kimbo)

Opening #2: Sticky, Sticky Bubblegum (fingerplay)

Sticky, sticky bubblegum, bubblegum, bubblegum; 
Sticky, sticky bubblegum;
Stuck to your __________.
1, 2, 3, PULL!

(Repeat with more body parts)

 

 

Book: Maisy Makes Gingerbread by Lucy Cousins  

Themed activity #1: “I’m a Little Teapot” traditional action song from the book recording of This Little Piggy by Adam Stemple, et al.

Themed activity #2: Alligator Pie (an action rhyme I found many years ago that I have seen on many websites)

Alligator, alligator, alligator pie, 
(Open and close arms like the jaws of an alligator)

If I don't get some, I think I'm gonna cry.
(Rub eyes like you are crying)

You can take away the grass,
(Point to the ground)

You can take away the sky,
(Point to the sky above)

But don't take away my alligator pie!
(Open and close arms like an alligator)  

 

Lap rhyme #1: Tick Tock (lap bounce)

(bounce baby from leg to leg)

Tick tock, tick tock, I’m a little cuckoo clock.
Tick, tock, tick tock, now it is one o’clock… Cuckoo!
(raise baby up for each cuckoo)

(repeat for other times of day)
Now it is two o’clock… Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

Now it is three o’clock… Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

 

Lap rhyme #2: Counting Bubbles (counting rhyme I learned during a BrainDance workshop)

One bubble, two bubbles, three bubbles, top.
(pat legs with hands for each number chanted, then place hands on top of head)

Three bubbles, four bubbles, five bubbles, drop.
(pat legs with hands for each number chanted, then drop hands to lap)

Six bubbles, seven bubbles, nine bubbles, pop.
(pat legs with hands for each number chanted, then clap hands loudly in front of body)

Ten little bubbles floating down!
(twinkle hands down to floor)

Now let’s blow _____ bubbles.
(This is a breath exercise.  Pick a number and pretend to blow that number of bubbles through hand.  Don’t forget to pop the bubbles with a loud clap after blowing it up.  I count the bubble while I do the clap.) 

 

Lap rhyme #3: Gregory Griggs (lap bounce rhyme I first saw as a Jbrary video at https://youtu.be/ntrcaKL_esA?si=twwqYr0wAanW2hrJ)

Gregory Griggs, Gregory Griggs,
Had 27 different wigs. 
He wore them up. (lift baby up)
He wore them down. (bring baby back down)
To please the people of the town.
He wore them east. (tip baby to one side)
He wore them west. (tip baby to the other side)
But which one did he love the best?
This one! (hug or tickle baby)

 

Lap rhyme #4: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (traditional body parts action song)

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes,
Knees and toes.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
And eyes and, ears and, mouth and nose.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.

   

***Literacy tip: By using their muscles to act out the motions in a song or rhyme, children develop both their gross motor skills and body self-awareness.      

Transition: 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 

 

Letter of the day: "C” is for cookie

 

 

Flannelboard: Ten Little Cookies (I found this one at my system’s office) 

Ten little cookies lying on a plate.
Mom takes two, and then there are eight.

When dad comes home, slamming the door,
He eats two cookies, then there are six.

Brother comes home, stomping on the floor,
He eats two cookies, then there are four.

When sister comes home, there are still a few.
She eats a couple, then there are two.

Baby wakes up. His nap is done.
He eats a cookie, then there is one.

The cat jumps on the table and eats the last one.
The poor dog is too late, he only gets a crumb.

 

Closing song with scarves: “Alabama, Mississippi” from Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song & Other Contagious Songs by Jim Gill  

 

 

 

 

Cookie Love - Family Storytime

A Tuesday morning storytime for ages 0-6 years old.  

Opening #1: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music

Opening #2: Roly Poly Oh So Fast (hand rolling body part chant adapted by Carol Hopkins)

Roly poly, roly poly, oh so fast!
Roly poly, roly poly, oh so slowly.
Roly poly, roly poly, up.
Roly poly, roly poly, down.
Roly poly, roly poly, hands on your head.
Roly poly, roly poly, hand on your feet.

(Repeat with other body parts)

Roly poly, roly poly, hands in your lap.

 

 

Literacy activity flannelboard: Runaway Cookies (flannelboard story I adapted from another story that I found)

The cookie jar people hopped out one night,
When the cookie jar lid was not on tight.

The frosted bunny twinkled his nose,
And danced around on his cookie toes.

The cinnamon bear could only grunt,
For he was too fat to do a stunt.

The gingerbread man opened his eyes,
And looked about in great surprise.

The sugary duck began to quack,
And shake the sugar off his back.

The coconut lamb jumped up so high,
That his little white tail flew toward the sky.

They were all so happy/thankful to be at play,
That they danced and danced and danced away.

They danced away so very far,
That they were so very thankful,
Not to be eaten from the cookie jar. 

 

  

Book #1: The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Marcellus Hall

Stand-up activity: "Milkshake Song” from Songs for Wiggleworms 

Activity: Alligator Pie (an action rhyme I found many years ago that I have seen on many websites)

Alligator, alligator, alligator pie, 
(Open and close arms like the jaws of an alligator)

If I don't get some, I think I'm gonna cry.
(Rub eyes like you are crying)

You can take away the grass,
(Point to the ground)

You can take away the sky,
(Point to the sky above)

But don't take away my alligator pie!
(Open and close arms like an alligator)  

 

Transition: 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 

  

***Parent literacy tip:  By using their muscles to act out the motions in a song or rhyme, children develop both their gross motor skills and body self-awareness.         

Book #2: Who Took the Cookie from theCookie Jar? by David A. Carter (pop-up)   

Book #3: Cookie Count: A Tasty Pop-Up by Robert Sabuda (pop-up)  

Closing music with scarves: “Flitter Flutter” from The Second Line by Johnette Downing    

Art activity: Paper plate cookie with bingo dabber pens and glitter glue

Optional other books:
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond (BIG BOOK) 
Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar? by George Shannon, illustrated by Julie Paschkis

 

 

 

 

 

Thankful Hearts and Caterpillars - Baby Toddler Storytime

A Tuesday morning storytime for ages 0-2 years old.  

Opening #1: Skinnamarink (action song from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck from Kimbo)

Opening #2: Sticky, Sticky Bubblegum (fingerplay)

Sticky, sticky bubblegum, bubblegum, bubblegum; 
Sticky, sticky bubblegum;
Stuck to your __________.
1, 2, 3, PULL!

(Repeat with more body parts)

 

 

Book: Thanks from the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Themed activity #1: “If You’re Happy And You Know It” traditional action song from Songs for Wiggleworms

Themed activity #2: I Have a Little Heart (action chant I picked up someplace, I have seen different adaptations of it in many places)

I have a little heart
(hand over heart)
And it goes thump, thump, thump
(pat chest with fingers)
It keeps right on beating when I jump, jump, jump
(jump)
I get a special felling when I look at you
(point to children)
It makes me want to blow a kiss or two
(blow kisses)

 

Lap rhyme #1: Tick Tock (lap bounce)

(bounce baby from leg to leg)

Tick tock, tick tock, I’m a little cuckoo clock.
Tick, tock, tick tock, now it is one o’clock… Cuckoo!
(raise baby up for each cuckoo)

(repeat for other times of day)
Now it is two o’clock… Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

Now it is three o’clock… Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

 

Lap rhyme #2: Counting Bubbles (counting rhyme I learned during a BrainDance workshop)

One bubble, two bubbles, three bubbles, top.
(pat legs with hands for each number chanted, then place hands on top of head)

Three bubbles, four bubbles, five bubbles, drop.
(pat legs with hands for each number chanted, then drop hands to lap)

Six bubbles, seven bubbles, nine bubbles, pop.
(pat legs with hands for each number chanted, then clap hands loudly in front of body)

Ten little bubbles floating down!
(twinkle hands down to floor)

Now let’s blow _____ bubbles.
(This is a breath exercise.  Pick a number and pretend to blow that number of bubbles through hand.  Don’t forget to pop the bubbles with a loud clap after blowing it up.  I count the bubble while I do the clap.) 

 

Lap rhyme #3: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (traditional body parts action song)

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes,
Knees and toes.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
And eyes and, ears and, mouth and nose.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.

   

Transition: 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 

 

Letter of the day: "T” is for thankful

 

 

Flannelboard: Turkeys Eating Cheese Fondue (a counting rhyme found in Artsy Toddler Storytimes by Carol Garnett Hopkins) 

Closing song with scarves: “Alabama, Mississippi” from Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song & Other Contagious Songs by Jim Gill  

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Treats - Family Storytime

A Tuesday morning storytime for ages 0-6 years old.  

Opening #1: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music

Opening #2: Roly Poly Oh So Fast (hand rolling body part chant adapted by Carol Hopkins)

Roly poly, roly poly, oh so fast!
Roly poly, roly poly, oh so slowly.
Roly poly, roly poly, up.
Roly poly, roly poly, down.
Roly poly, roly poly, hands on your head.
Roly poly, roly poly, hand on your feet.

(Repeat with other body parts)

Roly poly, roly poly, hands in your lap.

 

 

Literacy activity flannelboard: Thanksgiving Day Treats (adapted from a flannelboard rhyme I found in my library’s central office) 

Where are the turkeys?  See their tail feathers spread. 
Where are the apples?  So juicy in colors of yellow, green, and red.
Where are the pumpkins?  They are nice and round. 
Where are the leaves?  They like to fall to the ground. 
Hip, hip, hooray!
We give thanks for these fun treats on Thanksgiving Day. 

 

  

Book #1: Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman

Stand-up activity: “I’m a Little Teapot” traditional action song from This Little Piggy by Adam Stemple, et al. 

 Activity: Ten Fat Turkeys (not sure where I picked up this fingerplay)

(Count fingers)
Ten fat turkeys standing in a row.
They spread their wings and tails just so.
They look to the left,
They look to the right,
When they strut their stuff, they're quite a sight!
But you won't see them on Thanksgiving Day,
'Cause one by one they'll run away.   

 

Transition: 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 

  

Book #2: Happy Thanksgiving, Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Pat Schories (lift-flap)

Book #3: Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes, illustrated by Doris Barrette  

Closing music with scarves: “Flitter Flutter” from The Second Line: Scarf Activity Songs by Johnette Downing

  

Art activity: Paint turkey outlines with pine cones and feathers

Optional other books:
Thank You, Earth by April Pulley Sayre
Thank You Bees by Toni Yuly

 

 

 

 

 

Passive Craft Table: Flamboyant Snails

What do you do when a coworker finds a large stack of old writable CDs in the storage closet?  You create a craft table to use them up! 

For this passive program, I created a craft project to set up on a no school day.  I set out the CDs along with tons of other craft supplies.  Not a lot of people showed up for this all day craft table, but the resulting snails looked fabulous!          

Supplies:

-         CDs to recycle

-         White glue

-         Scissors

-         Scotch tape

-         Yarn

-         Pipe cleaners

-         Ribbon

-         Googly eyes

-         Stickers

-         Fun and colorful paper

-         Tablecloth

Storytime at Summer Day Camp, Week 8

  My weekly storytime at a local summer camp for 5- and 6-year-olds.  It is a short storytime with a simple art project, but sometimes when it is hot outside that is about all the children need.  

 

 

 

Books:

More Bears by Kenn Nesbitt, illustrated by Troy Cummings 

Not that Pet! by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw 

   

Craft activity:

The children decorated and assembled a "Bear Went Over the Mountain" cut & color sheet.  

 

Parade of Music - Family Storytime

A Tuesday morning storytime for ages 0-6 years old.  

Opening #1: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music

Opening #2: Roly Poly Oh So Fast (hand rolling body part chant adapted by Carol Hopkins)

Roly poly, roly poly, oh so fast!
Roly poly, roly poly, oh so slowly.
Roly poly, roly poly, up.
Roly poly, roly poly, down.
Roly poly, roly poly, hands on your head.
Roly poly, roly poly, hand on your feet.

(Repeat with other body parts)

Roly poly, roly poly, hands in your lap.

   

 

Literacy activity flannelboard: Band on the Bus (musical instrument flannelboard I found at https://pasadena-library.net/kids/2017/music-toddler-storytime/ to the tune of “Wheels On the Bus”)

The guitar on the bus goes strum, strum, strum 
Strum, strum, strum
Strum, strum, strum
The guitar on the bus goes strum, strum, strum
All through the town!

Other verses:

The trumpet on the bus goes toot, toot, toot… 
The drum on the bus goes bang, bang, bang… 
The bell on the bus goes ring, ring, ring… 

 

  

Book #1: Parade by Donald Crews

Stand-up activity: “The Goldfish” action song from Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner

Activity: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (traditional body parts action song)

Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
And eyes and, ears and, mouth and nose.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.

 

Transition: Come 'A' Look And See (fingerplay song I first picked up at a workshop conducted by Jane Cobb but can also be found on the music CD The Baby Record by Bob McGrath)

Come a' look a' see, here's my mama, 
(point to thumb)
Come a' look a' see, here's my papa, 
(point to index finger)
Come a' look a' see, my brother tall, 
(point to tall finger)
Sister, baby, 
(point to ring, then baby finger) 
I love them all. 
(Kiss the fingertips of your finger family) 

  

***Parent literacy tip:  Teachers like to say rhymers are readers, because rhymers have an easier time hearing word patterns.  Read lots of rhyming books with your child.                

Book #2: Everything a Drum by Sarah Warren, illustrated by Camila Carrossine

Book #3: Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean  

Closing music with bells: “The Tempo Marches On” from Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi on His Toe Leg Knee by Jim Gill      

  

Art activity: Create jingle sticks!  Color a large craft stick.  Then string three jingle bells onto a pipe cleaner.  Wrap the pipe cleaner around the decorated craft stick. 

Optional other books:
Pearl Love to Sing! By Olivier Dunrea
Plinka Plinka Shake Shake by Emma Garcia