Color Dance Day - Family Storytime

A Wednesday 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:  Dog’s Colorful Day (a flannelboard adaptation of the picture book by Emma Dodd)

 

  

 

Book #1: Color Dance by Ann Jonas 

Theme activity #1: "The Grand Old Duke of York" action song from Where Is Thumbkin?: Action Songs for Every Month by Kimbo 

Theme activity #2: Colored Shoes (action chant written by Carol Hopkins) 

Walking in my red shoes, red shoes, red shoes
Walking in my red shoes, here at storytime.

Running in my blue shoes, blue shoes, blue shoes,

Running in my blue shoes, here at storytime.

Sliding in my green shoes, green shoes, green shoes,

Sliding in my green shoes, here at storytime.

Twirling in my pink shoes, pink shoes, pink shoes,

Twirling in my pink shoes, here at storytime.

Sitting in my white shoes, white shoes, white shoes,

Sitting in my white shoes, here at storytime.

 

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: Talk about putting toys in ordinal number order (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) to expand your child's vocabulary and knowledge about numbers.  This can be done in any lnaguage!  

Book #2: One Red Sock by Jennifer Sattler 

Book #3: Press Here by Hervé Tullet 

Closing music with scarves: “Silly Dance Contest” from Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song & Other Contagious Tunes by Jim Gill    

  

 

 

Art activity:  Cut, color, and glue traffic lights 

Optional other books:
Cat's Colors by Jane Cabrera 
Pete the Cat, I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean 

 

 

 

 

Ready for Bed Clothing - 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: Maisy Goes to Bed by Lucy Cousins (lift-flap, moving pieces) 

Themed activity #1:  During the Night (action chant written by Carol Hopkins)

During the night I know that... 
Stars twinkle in the sky 
Bats fly and swoop through the air 
Owls flap their wings before saying, "Who-Who" 
Cats jump from place to place 
Opossums climb up trees 
Raccoons run across the grass 
Wolves howl at the moon 
And I lie in my bed to sleep

  

Themed activity #2: This Is the Way We Wash (action song to the tune of "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush" that I adapted)

This is the way we wash our hands,
Wash our hands, wash our hands,
This is the way we wash our hands,
When we get all dirty.

This is the way we scrub our face...
This is the way we rub our ears...
This is the way we rinse our hair...
This is the way we sponge our tummies...

 

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: Dance Your Fingers (fingerplay adaption from a video I saw from New York Public Library)

Dance your fingers up;
(put fingers high in the air)

Dance your fingers down;
(touch the ground)

Dance your fingers from side to side;
(move hands from left to right side of body and back again, several times)

And dance them all around.
(hands move in a large wiggly circle in the air in front of your body)

Dance them on your shoulders;
(fingers wiggle on your shoulders)

Dance them on your head;
(fingers wiggle on top of your head)

Dance them on your tummy;
(fingers wiggle on top of your tummy)

And put them all to bed.
(fold hands in lap or tuck under armpits)

 

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: 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: “P” is for pajamas   

 

 

Flannelboard: Teddy Wore His Red Shirt (color song sung to the tune "Mary Wore Her Red Dress" found in Mother Goose's Playhouse by Judy Sierra) 

Teddy wore his red shirt, red shirt, red shirt;
Teddy wore his red shirt all day long.

Teddy wore his blue pants, blue pants, blue pants;
Teddy wore his blue pants all day long.

Teddy wore his purple hat, purple hat, purple hat;
Teddy wore his purple hat all day long.

Teddy wore his orange socks, orange socks, orange socks;
Teddy wore his orange socks all day long.

 

Closing song with scarves: “Milkshake Song” from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music    

 

 

 

 

Grumpy and Happy Clothing - 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: Colorful Clothespins

I strung up a length of yarn between a chair and a table in my storytime room.  I then handed the children colored plastic clothespins. Then I had the children come clip their clothespins to the line when I called out their color.  

  

  

 

Book #1: Grumpy Pants by Claire Messer 

Theme activity #1: “Boots” action song from Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner

Theme activity #2: Silly Hat (action song to the tune of “This Old Man” that I found at https://veronastorytime.com/clothes-story-time-sensory-friendly/)

On my {_head_}, I wear my hat
It is such a silly hat
That my {_head_} wiggle waggles to and fro
Where else can my silly hat go?

Sing additional verses with hat on other body parts like knees, hands, etc.) 

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: Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing by Judy Barrett, illustrated by Ron Barrett 

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

Closing music with rhythm sticks: “Goin’ On a Bear Hunt” from Kids In Action by Greg & Steve       

  

 

Art activity:  Decorating slap bracelets with metallic pens and stickers

Optional other books:
One Shoe Two Shoes by Caryl Hart, illustrated by Edward Underwood 
Very Good Hats by Emma Straub, illustrated by Blanca Gómez

 

 

 

 

 

Hang Up Your Clothes - 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: Colorful Clothespins

I strung up a length of yarn between a chair and a table in my storytime room.  I then handed the children colored plastic clothespins. Then I had the children come clip their clothespins to the line when I called out their color.  

  

 

Book #1: Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash by Sarah Weeks, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott  

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

Sit-down activity: Washing Machine  (an action rhyme that I found somewhere many years ago)

Washing in the washing machine,
Going round and round. 
Washing in the washing machine, 
Moving up and down. 
Round and round and up and down, 
It makes a noisy sound. 
Faster, faster, faster, 
Round and round and round. 
Then stop!

 

***Parent literacy tip:  Name everything!  Help build your child’s vocabulary by pointing out the names of objects, animals, and other things in books, in stores, anywhere you go, in any language.      

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: Max’s New Suit by Rosemary Wells (board book)

Closing music with jingle bells: “Fruit Salad Salsa” from Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner

   

Art activity: Alphabet stickers and color pens on white slap bracelets. 

Optional books:
One Mitten by Kristine O’Connell George
Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean

 

 

 

Socks and Clothing - 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: One Red Sock by Jennifer Sattler  

Stand-up activity:  “If You’re Happy and You Know It” from Songs for Wiggleworms

 Sit-down activity: Silly Hat (action song to the tune of “This Old Man” that I found at https://veronastorytime.com/clothes-story-time-sensory-friendly/)

On my {_head_}, I wear my hat
It is such a silly hat
That my {_head_} wiggle waggles to and fro
Where else can my silly hat go?

Sing additional verses with hat on other body parts like knees, hands, etc.) 

 

***Literacy tip: Name everything! Help build your child’s vocabulary by pointing out the names of objects, animals, and other things in books, in stores, anywhere you go, in any language.    

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: Roly Poly (hand rolling opposites action rhyme)

Roly poly, roly poly, up, up, up.
Roly poly, roly poly, down, down, down.
Roly poly, roly poly, out, out, out.
Roly poly, roly poly, in, in, in.
Roly poly, roly poly, clap, clap, clap.
Roly poly, roly poly, tap, tap, tap.
Roly poly, roly poly, fast, fast, fast.
Roly poly, roly poly, slow, slow, slow.
Roly poly, roly poly, I love you!

 

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: 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 clothing

 

 

Flannelboard: Scaredy Cat

Directions: Hide the cat under one of the colored hats.  Say the rhyme and look for the cat, looking under one hat at a time. 

Scaredy cat, scaredy cat, are you under the {_yellow_} hat? 

 

Closing song with bells and egg shakers: “Ring Them On the Floor” from I Love to Hear the Sounds by Kathy Reid-Naiman

Optional book:
Zoe’s Hats: A Book of Colors and Patterns by Sharon Lane Holm