Seeds and Flowers Up to My Knees - 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.

 

Opening #3: Fee Fi Fo Fum

Fee fi fo fum,
(clap for each syllable)

See my fingers,
(wiggle fingers)

See my thumbs.
(wiggle thumbs)

Fee fi fo fum,
(clap for each syllable)

Good bye fingers,
(hide one hand behind back)

Good bye thumbs.
(hide the other hand behind back)

(Repeat several times moving and saying the words faster and faster)

 

Literacy activity flannelboard: Pretty Flower Colors (color literacy flannelboard song to the tune of “Are You Sleeping” written by Carol Hopkins)

Pretty flowers;
Pretty flowers.
Is yours {_purple_}?
Is yours {_purple_}?
Bring it up right now;
Bring it up right now.
Let’s find some more;
Let’s find some more.

(Repeat with other color names)

  

  

Book #1: Seeds by Carme Lemniscates 

Theme activity #1: “My Ups and Downs” from Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi On His Toe Leg Knee by Jim Gill 

Theme activity #2: Plant a Little Seed (not sure where I found this action chant)

 I plant a little seed in the cold, cold ground

(bend down and pretend to plant a seed)

Out comes the yellow sun, big and round
(put arms above head like sun)

Down come the raindrops soft and slowly
(dancing fingers downward)

Up comes the flower grow, grow, grow
(jump as flower emerges)

 

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) 

  

Book #2: Up to My Knees! by Grace Lin (board book) 

Book #3: Hello, Daisy! by Mélanie Grenier (board book) 

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: Paint stamping flowers onto a tree outline with receipt roll cores.  I also added craft foam insects to glue onto the paper.  

Optional other books:
Goodnight, Veggies by Diana Murray and Zachariah OHora
A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portis 

 

 

 

 

 

Flowers in the Wild - 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 places to stick the gum)

 

 

Book: Wildflowers Grow by Amber Hendricks, illustrated by Gavin Scott (board book) 

Themed activity #1: “Baby Bumblebee” from Toddler Action Songs by Cedarmont Kids

Themed activity #2: Ten Little Flowers (fingerplay written by Carol Hopkins)

10 little flowers standing in the sun

10 thirsty flowers begin to droop
Along come the clouds
And the rain begins to fall
10 little flowers lift their heads to the sun again

 

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: We’re Making a Purple Stew (story time song I saw a in a video from New York Public Library)

We’re making a {_purple_} stew,
Whip-whip-, whip-whip.
(pretend to stir a big pot in front of your body)

We’re making a {_purple_} stew,
Scooby-dooby-doo.

With {_purple_} potatoes,
(use one hand to pretend to throw potatoes from your shoulder into the pretend pot)

And {_purple_} tomatoes,
(use your other hand to pretend to throw tomatoes from your shoulder into the pretend pot)

And even a {_purple_} you!
(tickle baby’s tummy)

**What other colors should we do?
(repeat the song with other colors)

 

Lap rhyme #4: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (traditional 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) 

 

Letter of the day: "F” is for Flower

 

 

Flannelboard: The Flower Song (a song to the tune of "The Farmer In the Dell" about the parts of a flower that I found at Everything Preschool)

The flower has some petals, the flower has some petals.
The flower calls the birds and bees, the flower has some petals.

The flower has some leaves, the flower has some leaves.
The leaves will catch the rain and sun, the flower has some leaves.

The flower has a stem, the flower has a stem.
The stem will make it stand up tall, the flower has a stem.

The flower has some roots, the flower has some roots.
The roots will carry food and drink, the flower has some roots.

The flower is so pretty, the flower is so pretty.
This pretty thing in my garden, makes me sing a ditty. 

 

Closing song with egg shakers: “Bublebee Buzz Buzz” from Buzz Buzz by Laurie Berkner   

 

 

 

 

Flowers All Around - 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.

 

 

Color literacy activity flannelboard: Pretty Flower Colors (color literacy flannelboard song to the tune of “Are You Sleeping” written by Carol Hopkins)

Pretty flowers;
Pretty flowers.
Is yours {_purple_}?
Is yours {_purple_}?
Bring it up right now;
Bring it up right now.
Let’s find some more;
Let’s find some more.

(Repeat with other color names)

  

 

Book #1: Up, Down, and Around by Katherine Ayers, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott (big book)

Stand-up activity: “My Ups and Downs” from Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi On His Toe Leg Knee by Jim Gill

Sit-down activity: Plant a Little Seed (not sure where I found this action chant)

I plant a little seed in the cold, cold ground
(bend down and pretend to plant a seed)

Out comes the yellow sun, big and round
(put arms above head like sun)

Down come the raindrops soft and slowly
(dancing fingers downward)

Up comes the flower grow, grow, grow
(jump as flower emerges)

 

***Parent literacy tip:  Naming the parts of plants or flowers or trees is helpful in building vocabulary, which will help children when they learn to read.            

Transition: Tommy & Tammy Thumb (fingerplay)

Tommy Thumb up, 
Tommy Thumb down,
Tommy Thumb dancing all around town.

Tammy Thumb out,
Tammy Thumb in,
Tammy Thumb dancing all in a spin.

Dancing, dancing, dancing,
Dance them on your knees,
Dance them on your head,
Dance them on your shoulders,
Then tuck them into bed.

  

Book #2: Max Loves Sunflowers by Ken Wilson-Max (lift-flap)

Closing music with stretchy-band: “Walk Along the River” from Rocketship Run by Laurie Berkner Band

Art activity: On a bare tree drawing, paint on green leaves with cotton balls inside a clothespin  

Optional other books:
The Surprise Garden by Zoe Hall, illustrated by Shari Halpern
A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portis
Seeds by Carme Lemniscates

 

 

 

  

Trees and Flowers - 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 Loves Trees by Lucy Cousins (board book)

Stand-up activity: “Baby Bumblebee” from Toddler Action Songs by Cedarmont Kids

Sit-down activity: Ten Little Flowers (fingerplay written by Carol Hopkins)

10 little flowers standing in the sun
10 thirsty flowers begin to droop
Along come the clouds
And the rain begins to fall
10 little flowers lift their heads to the sun again

 

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: Choo Choo (fingerplay that crosses the midline that I found at https://youtu.be/gr4gtVYSAEg?si=ceNiLrI-2BuUbGMC)

Choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo,
Up the railroad track.
Choo, choo, choo, chook, choo, choo, choo, choo,
Then we come right back. 

First, we go to grandma’s house,
Up the railroad track.
Then, we go to monkey’s house,
Then we come right back. 

Choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo,
Up the railroad track.
Choo, choo, choo, chook, choo, choo, choo, choo,
Then we come right back. 

 

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.

 

Transition: Tommy & Tammy Thumb (fingerplay)

Tommy Thumb up, 
Tommy Thumb down,
Tommy Thumb dancing all around town.

Tammy Thumb out,
Tammy Thumb in,
Tammy Thumb dancing all in a spin.

Dancing, dancing, dancing,
Dance them on your knees,
Dance them on your head,
Dance them on your shoulders,
Then tuck them into bed.

 

Letter of the day: "T” is for Tree

 

 

Flannelboard: The Flower Song (a song to the tune of "The Farmer In the Dell" about the parts of a flower that I found at Everything Preschool)

The flower has some petals, the flower has some petals.
The flower calls the birds and bees, the flower has some petals.

The flower has some leaves, the flower has some leaves.
The leaves will catch the rain and sun, the flower has some leaves.

The flower has a stem, the flower has a stem.
The stem will make it stand up tall, the flower has a stem.

The flower has some roots, the flower has some roots.
The roots will carry food and drink, the flower has some roots.

The flower is so pretty, the flower is so pretty.
This pretty thing in my garden, makes me sing a ditty.  

***Literacy tip: Naming the parts of plants or flowers or trees is helpful in building vocabulary, which will help children when they learn to read.   

Closing song with scarves: “Milkshake” from Songs for Wiggleworms