Toddler Storytime - I Like Blue!

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Thursday, January 24, 2013.

Books:

Dog Blue by Polly Dunbar







Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea by Jan Peck, illustrated by Valeria Petrone



Songs:

If You Like the Color Blue
(tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It")

If you like the color blue, clap your hands!
If you like the color blue, clap your hands!
If you like the color blue, and you really want to show it,
If you like the color blue, clap your hands!

Help your child think of other things you can do, such as stomp your feet, wiggle your fingers, blink your eyes, etc.)


Storytime Has Ended
(tune: "Did You Ever See a Lassie?")

Storytime has ended, has ended, has ended.
Storytime has ended 'til we meet again.

(Children wave to each other as we continue)
'Til we meet, 'til we meet, 'til we meet, 'til we meet.
Storytime has ended 'til we meet again.


Activities:

Our Hands Say Hello!

Our hands say hello with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say hello with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
Turn around and take a bow.
Sit right down. It's Storytime now!


Ten Little Fingers

I have ten little fingers (show 10 fingers)
And they all belong to me. (place hands on chest to indicate ownership)
I can make them do things. (let fingers dance in front of you)
Would you like to see?

I can put them up high, (reach up high)
I can put them down low. (bend down low)
I can make them hide, (hide hands behind back, in pockets, etc.)
And I can fold them so. (fold hands in front of you)

(Once you know this rhyme, try saying it again - a little faster...and even faster! How fast can you go??!)


Each Toddler Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).  One of the most important things we can do with our children is PLAY with them!  Every Child Ready to Read® encourages playtime, as it addresses a child's need for love and nurturing.  Creative play also encourages children to use their conversation skills as well as develop their imagination and vocabulary.  One of our stories (Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea) might spark some fun, creative play at home.  The cadence of this story could be mimicked as you and your child list the creatures found in the deep blue sea (your child's bath!):      
      Way down deep in the deep blue sea,
      I spy a rubber ducky swimming toward me.
      Hello, ducky.
      Follow along, ducky.
      See you later, ducky.
      Swim away!

I would love to hear from you if you use this activity with your child, or if you have other creative play activities you share with your child!

Reminder: Our theme for next week, January 31, is "Being Sick and Getting Well".  My daughter Monica, who is a nurse, will visit Storytime and talk about germs and staying well.  She'll even help us listen to our own heartbeat!