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 

 

 

 

 

Fishing Wishing Scarf Song

 I learned this fun scarf song from a PCLS Sharing Music with Young Children STARS class.  The caregivers at storytime really enjoyed acting it out with the children.  

I'm going fishing, fishing, fishing;
And I'm wishing, wishing, wishing;
For some jumpy fish!
(toss scarves into the air)

I'm going fishing, fishing, fishing;
And I'm wishing, wishing, wishing;
For some spinny fish!
(spin scarves in a large circle)

I'm going fishing, fishing, fishing;
And I'm wishing, wishing, wishing;
For some hiding fish!
(hide scarf in your hand behind your back)

Silly Wriggles - 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: “The Ants Go Marching” (traditional children’s counting song)

The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching one by one,
The little one stops to suck his thumb
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching two by two,
The little one stops to tie his shoe
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching three by three,
The little one stops to climb a tree
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching four by four, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching four by four, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching four by four,
The little one stops to shut the door
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

  

  

 

Book #1: Silly Sally by Audrey Wood 

Theme activity #1: “Jumping and Counting” action song from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem by Jim Gill

Theme activity #2: I Can Dance My Hands (action song to the tune of "The Farmer In the Dell" written by Carol Hopkins)

I can dance my hands, I can dance my hands, 

Dance them high, dance them low,

I can dance my hands.

I can wiggle my hands, I can wiggle my hands,

Wiggle them out, wiggle them in,

I can wiggle my hands.

 

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: Predictable books help children learn about patterns in spoken and written language.  

Book #2: I am Wriggly by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Robert Starling 

Book #3: Duck & Goose: Let's Dance! by Tad Hills (board book) 

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

        

 

Art activity:  Paper plate ribbon dancers

Cut a handle in a paper plate.  Decorate the plate with crayons.  Glue ribbons to the paper plate.  

Optional other books:
Roll, Roll Little Pea by Cécile Bergame, illustrated by Magali Attiogbé, translated by Angus Yuen-Killick
The Croaky Pokey! by Ethan Long

 

 

 

 

Dancing Feet - Baby Toddler Storytime

A Wednesday 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: Dancing Feet! by Lindsey Craig, illustrated by Marc Brown

Themed activity #1:  "The Night I Had a Dream" action song from Whaddaya Think of That? by Laurie Berkner 

Themed activity #2: I Have Ten Little Fingers (traditional fingerplay)

I have 10 little fingers;
They all belong to me!
I can make them do things;
Would you like to see?
I can close them up tight.
I can open them up wide.
I can riase them up high.
I can put them at my side.
I can wave them to and fro;
And I can fold them - just like so...

...Before I tickle you on your little tum!

  

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: A Hippopotamus Got on a City Bus (lap bounce rhyme I found at Jbrary at https://youtu.be/OZOq5Wiiox8?si=guAfW8ip2WPwZAtq)

A sheep, a sheep, a sheep got on a city bus;
And all, and all, and all the people said,
"Baaaack up!"

A cow, a cow, a cow got on a bus;
And all, and all, and all the people said,
"Mooooove over!"

A hip, a hip, a hippopotamus got on, got on, got on a city bus;
And all, and all, and all the people said,
"You're squishing us!"
(hug baby)

 

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: “D” is for dancing  

 

 

Flannelboard: Five Little Dancers (counting down rhyme I adapted from a ballet dancer rhyme I found at https://jeninthelibrary.com/tag/dance/) 

Five little dancers
Prancing on their toes
They twirl and spin and jump
Then off the stage one goes.

4 little dancers…
3 little dancers…
2 little dancers…

One little dancer
Prancing on their toes
S/He twirls and spins and jumps
Then off the stage s/he goes.

No more dancers!
The performance is over.
And what do we do at the end of a performance?
We applaud!  (clap)

 

Closing song with scarves: "Nelly Go Cross the Ocean" from More Tickles & Tunes by Kathy Reid-Naiman 

 

 

 

 

Sing-a-Song Storytime: Turkeys Eating Cheese Fondue

 Last year, a coworker and I created this video storytime to celebrate Thanksgiving while in-person events were still on hiatus.  We created this one with the desire to get young children moving around and singing.  It is filled with lots of favorite storytime songs and rhymes.  Instead of a book we brought in puppets and a flannelboard story.  I really wanted the grown-ups watching along with the kiddos to learn the songs, so I used a split screen technique on the videos to display the words to the songs/rhymes while I am singing and acting them out.  

Opening song – When Animals Get Up in the Morning (adaptation of a traditional song)

When pigs get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
When pigs get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
They say, "Oink!, Oink!, Oink!, Oink!,"
that is what they say.
They say, "Oink!, Oink!, Oink!, Oink!,"
that is what they say.

When pigs get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
When pigs get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
They say, "Grunt!, Grunt!, Grunt!, Grunt!,"
that is what they say.
They say, "Grunt!, Grunt!, Grunt!, Grunt!,"
that is what they say.

   

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

  

Action song – Turkey Lurkey (to the tune of "Handy Spandy" performed with a ball)

Turkey Lurkey fine and dandy.
(ball on head)
Loves pumpkin pie and sugar candy.
(put down ball and sign language for "candy")
Bought it from a baker's shop,
(bounce ball)
And away did hop, hop, hop!
(toss ball into the air)

Action song – Where Is the Turkey? (action song to the tune of “Oh My Darling Clementine” found in a Mailbox Preschool magazine, Nov/Dec 2016, page 34)

 

Action song – The Turkeys Come Marching (adaptation of the "Ants Go Marching" song)

The turkeys come marching one by one
Hoorah!  Hoorah!
The turkeys come marching one by one
Hoorah!  Hoorah!
The turkeys come marching one by one.
The little one stops to suck their thumb.
And they all go marching,
Down,
Around
The farm,
Boom!  Boom!  Boom!  

The turkeys come marching two by two...
The little one stops to tie its shoe...

The turkeys come marching three by three...
The little one stops to gobble at me...

The turkeys come marching four by four...
The little one's feather was stuck in the door...

 

Closing song - Skinnamarink (https://youtu.be/95JkQfANW9M) 

Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!

Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!

I love you in the morning,
And in the afternoon
I love you in the evening,
Underneath the moon…

Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!

***The video for this storytime can be found on my library's YouTube channel.

Sing-a-Song Storytime: Autumn Leaves

 

Last fall, despite the library reopening to the public, the world-wide pandemic kept large gatherings such as storytimes unable to operate. Therefore, I continued my offerings of virtual storytimes.  I created this video storytime series along with a coworker, who is a talented musician, to get young children moving around and singing.  It is filled with lots of favorite storytime songs and rhymes.  I really wanted the grown-ups watching along with the kiddos to learn the songs, so I used a split screen technique on the videos to display the words to the songs/rhymes while I sang and acted them out.  

Opening song – When Animals Get Up in the Morning (adaptation of a traditional song)

When pigs get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
When pigs get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
They say, "Oink!, Oink!, Oink!, Oink!,"
that is what they say.
They say, "Oink!, Oink!, Oink!, Oink!,"
that is what they say.

When pigs get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
When pigs get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
They say, "Grunt!, Grunt!, Grunt!, Grunt!,"
that is what they say.
They say, "Grunt!, Grunt!, Grunt!, Grunt!,"
that is what they say. 

   

 

Flannelboard activity – Four Little Leaves (counting down color rhyme I found in a Preschool Mailbox magazine, October/November 2005, page 33) 

Stand-up Activity – Falling Leaves (scarf song to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" I found at My Storytime Corner blog)

Leaves, leaves, leaves will fall
(stand up and sway) 

Gently all around

Falling left falling right
(arms move left and right with fluttering fingers)

Fluttering to the ground.
(fall to the ground)

Action song - Dancing Leaves (action rhyme I did with a scarf that I found in a Mailbox Preschool magazine, October/November 2008, page 33)

 

Action rhyme – Autumn Leaves Are Falling Down (scarf song to the tune of "London Bridges" that I found at the Yogi Librarian blog)

Autumn leaves are falling down,
Falling down, falling down,
Autumn leaves are falling down,
On this sunny day!

The wind will blow them round and round,
Round and round, round and round,
The wind will blow them round and round,
On this sunny day!

Take the rake and rake them up,
Rake them up, rake them up,
Take the rake and rake them up,
On this sunny day!

Now let's jump into the pile,
Into the pile, into the pile,
Now let's jump into the pile,
On this sunny day!

 

Closing song - Skinnamarink (https://youtu.be/95JkQfANW9M) 

Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!

Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!

I love you in the morning,
And in the afternoon
I love you in the evening,
Underneath the moon…

Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!