Boats on the Waves Toddler Storytime

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 #1 – Boats on the Bay by Jeanne Walker Harvey, illustrated by Grady McFerrin

Stand-up activity – The Waves Around the Boat (action song adapted by Carol Hopkins to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus”)

The waves around the boat go up and down,
Up and down, Up and down,
Up and down, Up and down,
The waves around the boat go up and down,
All day long.

The oars on the boat go rowing now,
Rowing now, rowing now,
Rowing now, rowing now,
The oars on the boat go rowing now,
All day long.

The person on the boat goes look around,
Look around,
Look around,
The person on the boat goes look around,
All day long.

The fish around the boat go jump, jump, jump,
Jump, jump, jump,
Jump, jump, jump,
The fish around the boat go jump, jump, jump,
All day long. 

Transition #1 - 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 – This Little Boat Went (ordinal number chant I found at Anne’s Library Life blog)

Literacy Tip – Talk about putting toys in ordinal number order (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, etc.) like we did in this flannelboard to expand your child’s vocabulary and knowledge about numbers.   

Letter of the day - "B” is for boat

Transition #2 – 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 – Row, Row, Row Your Boat, Dinosaurs All Love to Float by Joe Fitzpatrick, illustrated by John Joseph (board book)

Closing – “Goin’ On a Bear Hunt” action song from Kids In Action by Greg & Steve 

 

 

Weather Fun Toddler Storytime

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 #1 – Red Rubber Boot Day by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Lauren Stringer

Stand-up activity – “Eensy Weensy Spider” fingerplay song from Toddler Tunes by Cedarmont Kids

Transition #1 - 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 – Four Umbrellas (a counting rhyme I found at an old GeoCities storytime site that is no longer around)

Four umbrellas stood by the back door,
The RED one went outside, then there were three.
Three umbrellas pretty as can be,
The BLUE one went outside, then there were two.
Two umbrellas with nothing to do,
The GREEN one went outside, then there was one.
Just one umbrellas alone in the hall,
The PURPLE one went outside, and that was all!

Letter of the day - "U" is for umbrella

Transition #2 – 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 – What Can You Do in the Wind? by Anna Grossnickle Hines, illustrated by Thea Kliras (board book)

Closing – “Goin’ On a Bear Hunt” action song from Kids inAction by Greg & Steve 

 

 

Exploring Adventure Toddler Storytime

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 #1 – Silly Sally by Audrey Wood (BIG BOOK)

Stand-up activity – “Tempo Marches On” from Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi On His Toe Leg Knee by Jim Gill

Transition #1 - 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 – Cuckoo Bird Shapes

Instructions: Create a selection of felt shapes as well as one shape of a small bird.  Hide the bird behind a shape.  Let the children guess which shape the cuckoo bird is hiding behind while saying this rhyme.

Cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird,
Where are you? 
Cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird, 
Peek-a-boo!

(Look under a shape)

Literacy Tip – Learning about shapes is also a great opportunity to point out how many things in our world have similar features, yet are still different. 

Letter of the day - "S" is for silly and Sally

Transition #2 – 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 – Maisy’s Nature Walk by Lucy Cousins (pop-up)

Closing – “Goin’ On a Bear Hunt” action song from Kids In Action by Greg & Steve 

 

 

Bathtub Fun Toddler Storytime

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 – King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Don Wood (BIG BOOK)

Stand-up activity – Bubbles All Around (action rhyme I found in a Mailbox magazine)

Transition #1 - 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 – Ten Rubber Duckies (counting chant I found in a book years ago)

Literacy Tip – Counting objects is a good way to learn one-to-one correspondence.  You can count anything: Fingers, toys, food, so many things!  

Letter of the day - "B” is for bubbles or bath

Transition #2 - 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)

Book #2 – Maisy Takes a Bath by Lucy Cousins

Closing - Jumping and Counting (action song from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem & More Salutes to Nonsense by Jim Gill) 

 

Garden Flowers Toddler Storytime

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 #1 – My Garden by Kevin Henkes

Stand-up activity – "Baby Bumblebee" action song from Toddler Action Songs by Cedarmont Kids

Transition #1 - 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 – 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)

Literacy Tip – Naming the parts of flowers, parts of anything, is helpful in building vocabulary which will help kids when they learn to read. 

Letter of the day - "g" is for garden

Transition #2 - 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)

Book #2 – Maisy Grows a Garden by Lucy Cousins (pop-up)

Closing - Jumping and Counting (action song from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem & More Salutes to Nonsense by Jim Gill) 

 

Magical Creatures Around Us Toddler Storytime

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 – If I Had a Gryphon by Vikki Vansickle, illustrated by Cale Atkinson

Stand-up activity – “Around and Around” (action song from Welcome from Miss Carole by Carole Peterson)

Transition #1 - 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 – Five Magic Rabbits (a counting down rhyme I found on the Harris County Public Library Story Time website)

Letter of the day - "M" is for magic

Transition #2 - 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)

Book #2 – Today I’ll be a Unicorn by Dana Simpson (board book)

Literacy Tip - Board books are sturdy books that toddler can enjoy using. We have a large assortment of board books available for check out.  

Closing - Jumping and Counting (action song from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem & More Salutes to Nonsense by Jim Gill) 

 

Families Do It Toddler Storytime

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)

Transition #1 - 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 – I Can Do It Too! By Karen Baicker, illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max (board book)

Stand-up activity – Do It for Your Family (action song to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat")

Roll, roll, roll your hands
As fast as fast can be
Do it now let me see
Do it for your family

Clap, clap, clap your hands
As fast as fast can be
Do it now let me see
Do it for your family

(use other body motions such as stomp your feet, jump your legs, etc.)

Activity - "If You're Happy and You Know It" (action song from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music) 

Letter of the day - "F" is for family

Transition #2 - 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)

Flannelboard – Daddy Mouse House (rhyme written by Carol Hopkins)

(On the flannelboard put out 5-8 houses of different colors.  Make sure the little baby mouse is under one house. Say the rhyme with the children and peek under the house color the children request until you find the baby mouse.)

Daddy mouse, daddy mouse where is your baby?
Daddy mouse, daddy mouse look for your baby under the _________ house.

Closing - Jumping and Counting (action song from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem & More Salutes to Nonsense by Jim Gill)