Showing posts with label Dragons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dragons. Show all posts

Sunday, July 12, 2026

Favorite Toddler Stuff - 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: I Went Walking by Sue Williams, illustrated by Julie Vivas 

Themed activity #1:  "If You're Happy And You Know It" traditional action song from Songs for Wiggleworms 

Themed activity #2: Alligator Pie  (an action rhyme I found many years ago that I have seen on many websites)

Alligator, alligator, alligator pie, 
(Open and close arms like the jaws of an alligator)

If I don't get some, I think I'm gonna cry.
(Rub eyes like you are crying)

You can take away the grass,
(Point to the ground)

You can take away the sky,
(Point to the sky above)

But don't take away my alligator pie!
(Open and close arms like an alligator)  

 

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.

   

***Literacy tip: Stories often explore themes of emotions, realtionships, and dilemmas, helping children understand and navigate their own feelings and social interactions.  

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: “W” is for walking

 

 

Flannelboard: Five Green Dragons (counting down rhyme I found at EverythingPreschool.com)

Five green dragons making such a roar.
One danced away and then there were four.
Four green dragons dancing around a tree.
One danced away and then there were three.
Three green dragons dancing around you.
One danced away and then there were two.
Two green dragons dancing in the sun.
One danced away and then there was one.
One green dragon having lots of fun
She danced away and then there were none.

 

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




 

 

 

 

Monday, July 6, 2026

Magical Creature Books - 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: Baby Dragons Playing with Letters (flannelboard song to the tune of "Do You Know the Muffin Man" written by Carol Hopkins)

I was inspired by a flannelboard rhyme I found at Storytime In the Stacks to write my own dragon flannelboard rhyme.  I passed out one baby dragon to each child.  The dragons have one of 5 letters on them.  The children bring their dragon up to the board when I say their letter.  

Now we have baby dragons, baby dragons, baby dragons, 
Now we have baby dragons, 
Trying to blow bubbles.
(Bubbles starts with the letter "B")

Now we have baby dragons, baby dragons, baby dragons, 
Now we have baby dragons, 
Blowing kisses to their mom.
(Kiss starts with the letter "K")

...Flapping their tiny wings.
(Wings starts with the letter "W")

...Jumping with a rope.
(Rope starts with the letter "R")

...Trying to breathe fire.
(Fire starts with the letter "F")

Now we have loud dragons, loud dragons, loud dragons,
Now we have loud dragons,
Giving out a roar!
(Everyone roars)


 

 

Book #1: There's a Unicorn In Your Book by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Greg Abbott 

Theme activity #1: "If You're Happy And You Know It" traditional action song from WeeSing 

Theme activity #2: Magic Finger (fingerplay I found at the Storytime with Ms. Emily Library blog at https://msemilylibrary.com/2021/03/29/preschool-storytime-magic/

  

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: Stories often explore themes of emotions, relationships, and dilemmas, helping children understand and navigate their own feelings and social interactions.  

Book #2: The Magic Rabbit by Richard Jesse Watson 

Book #3: How to Spot a Mermaid by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Sally Deng 

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

  

 

 

Art activity:  Create magical door charms by painting watercolor paints on doorknob hangers

Optional other books:
If I Had a Gryphon by Vikki VanSickle 
Waking Dragons by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Derek Anderson 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Playing with Magical Creatures - 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: Baby Dragons Playing with Letters (flannelboard song to the tune of "Do You Know the Muffin Man" written by Carol Hopkins)

I was inspired by a flannelboard rhyme I found at Storytime In the Stacks to write my own dragon flannelboard rhyme.  I passed out one baby dragon to each child.  The dragons have one of 5 letters on them.  The children bring their dragon up to the board when I say their letter.  

Now we have baby dragons, baby dragons, baby dragons, 
Now we have baby dragons, 
Trying to blow bubbles.
(Bubbles starts with the letter "B")

Now we have baby dragons, baby dragons, baby dragons, 
Now we have baby dragons, 
Blowing kisses to their mom.
(Kiss starts with the letter "K")

...Flapping their tiny wings.
(Wings starts with the letter "W")

...Jumping with a rope.
(Rope starts with the letter "R")

...Trying to breathe fire.
(Fire starts with the letter "F")

Now we have loud dragons, loud dragons, loud dragons,
Now we have loud dragons,
Giving out a roar!
(Everyone roars)

   

  

 

Book #1: There's a Dragon In Your Book by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Greg Abbott

Theme activity #1: Can You Do What These Pets Do?  (action chant adapted by Carol Hopkins)

Can you stretch your neck like a gryphon with wings flapping on your back?
Can you hop like a frog?
Can you bark like a dog?
Can you slither like a snake?
Can you fly like a parrot?
Can you wiggle your nose like a rabbit?
Can you swim like a fish?
Can you stretch like a cat?
Can you sit like a kid at storytime?  

  

Theme activity #2: Stretching Dragon (action chant written by Carol Hopkins)

Here comes a waking, stretching dragon.
(show ASL for "dragon")
Their mouth goes "Chomp! Chomp!";
Their eyes go blink, blink;
And their head moves from side to side.  
First they stretch out one foot.
Then they stretch out one wing.
And finally they fly out of sight with a fiery, "Roar!" 


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 

  

***Parent literacy tip: Acting out parts of a story (like movements or sound effects) enhances comprehension and makes the story more memorable.  

Book #2: The Magic Hat by Mem Fox, illustrated by Tricia Tusa 

Book #3: Can I Give You a Squish? by Emily Neilson 

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

  

 

 

Art activity:  Create and decorate paper plate spiral dragons.  Beforehand, I drew a spiral pattern on the paper plates.  The children cur with scissors on these lines.  Then they added a dragon head I found online and decorated the dragon with color pens and glued on crepe paper square scales.

Optional other books:
Duncan the Story Dragon by Amanda Driscoll 
If I Had a Gryphon by Vikki Vansickle, illustrated by Cale Atkinson 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Unicorns and Dragons Today - 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: Today I'll Be a Unicorn by Dana Simpson (board book) 

Themed activity #1:  "If You're Happy And You Know It" traditional action song from Songs for Wiggleworms 

Themed activity #2: “I’m a Little Teapot” traditional action song from the book recording of This Little Piggy by Adam Stemple, et al.

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: “U” is for Unicorn  

 

 

Flannelboard: Five Green Dragons (counting down rhyme I found at EverythingPreschool.com)

Five green dragons making such a roar.
One danced away and then there were four.
Four green dragons dancing around a tree.
One danced away and then there were three.
Three green dragons dancing around you.
One danced away and then there were two.
Two green dragons dancing in the sun.
One danced away and then there was one.
One green dragon having lots of fun
She danced away and then there were none.

  

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