Transitions During Storytime

Sometimes during a storytime, I need to take the children from a noisy, active song and then sit down for a book.  To do this successfully, I use short transition rhymes or songs.  These rhymes or songs require the children to be seated to complete.  They usually involve some easy finger and arm gestures.  They are said in a calm and even manner.  By the time I am done with the transition rhyme, the kiddos are ready to sit and listen to a book.  

The following rhymes and songs have worked well to transition my storytime kids from a boisterous activity to sitting for a book.  

-- 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 

-- Come A' Look A' 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)

-- Tommy & Tammy Thumb (fingerplay I adapted for this purpose)

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.

-- Two Little Blackbirds (traditional fingerplay)

Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill.
One named Jack and one named Jill.
Fly away Jack, flay away Jill.
Come back Jack, come back Jill.

Two little blackbirds flying in the sky.
One named Low and one named High...

Two little blackbirds sitting on a pole.
One named Fast and one named Slow...

Two little blackbirds sitting on a gate...
One named Early and one named Late...

Some of My Favorite Action Songs and Rhymes (Part 2)

I have no problem singing in key or off key during storytime.  I am even known to make up words to my own songs.  But sometimes it can be fun to sing and dance to a song found on a cd from the library's collection.  These favorites never fail to get my storytime kids moving.  

"Clap Your Hands" action song from Toddler Action Songs by Cedarmont Kids

"If You're Happy and You Know It" from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music 

"Shakin' Like a Leafy Tree" action song from Racing to the Rainbow by The Wiggles

"I'm a Little Teapot" from This Little Piggy by Jane Yolen, Adam Stemple, et al.

"Jumping and Counting" from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem and More Salutes to Nonsense by Jim Gill

"We Are the Dinosaurs" from Whaddaya Think of That? by Laurie Berkner

"Baby Bumblebee" from Toddler Action Songs by Cedarmont Kids