Each Preschool Storytime includes activities that support all or most 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).
Reading:
Railroad Hank by Lisa Moser, illustrated by Benji Davies
~ As I mentioned to those attending Storytime this week, I take liberties when reading "All Aboard to Work - Choo-Choo!" I have found, when reading the repeated response ("All aboard to work, choo-choo! Chug-a-chug-a-choo-choo-choo!"), that it seems to flow better if I say "All aboard to work - choo-choo! Chug-a-chug-a, chug-a-chug-a, choo-choo-choo!" I hope this helps parents feel comfortable making changes as needed to the stories they read to their children. And, don't worry! The Verbatim Police will not come knocking on your door if you fail to read everything word-for-word! The important thing is to breathe life into the words and have fun with the story!
Singing:
Hello, Friends!
(tune: "Goodnight Ladies")
Hello friends.
Hello friends.
Hello friends.
We're glad you came today!
Everybody Say Hello!
(tune: "London Bridge")
Everybody say hello, say hello, say hello,
Everybody say hello, hello Wesley!
(Wesley is my turtle puppet who pops out of my apron pocket whenever we sing this song. Then he sits quietly on his rock and listens to the stories and sings along with us. At the end of storytime he says goodbye to the children, gives them high fives, eats pretend food from their hands, blows kisses, and plays hide and seek!)
The Wheels on the Train
(tune: "The Wheels on the Bus")
The wheels on the train go clickety-clack, clickety-clack, clickety-clack.
The wheels on the train go clickety-clack,
All along the track.
The whistle on the train goes, "Whoo! Whoo!"...
The conductor on the train says, "All Aboard!"...
The people on the train go bumpety-bump...
Goodbye, Friends!
(tune: "Goodnight Ladies")
Goodbye friends.
Goodbye friends.
Goodbye friends.
We're glad you came today!
(tune: "Goodnight Ladies")
Goodbye friends.
Goodbye friends.
Goodbye friends.
We're glad you came today!
What's in the Green Box?
(tune: "Sally Wore a Red Dress")
What's in the green box,
The green box, the green box?
What's in the green box
For us to play?
Name Trains!
Construction paper, markers, glue, and cotton balls were used to make these fun name trains:
Activities such as this Color-by-Number picture make learning fun! While your child is strengthening the muscles used to hold crayons and markers, she can also improve her number recognition and color recognition.
Here is a cute (and delicious!) activity to enjoy with your little one. This would lend itself to loads of substitutions: instead of Nilla Wafers, use banana or kiwi slices; use vanilla pudding or whipped topping for the smoke; add raisins instead of coated candies, etc.
Construction paper, markers, glue, and cotton balls were used to make these fun name trains:
Activities such as this Color-by-Number picture make learning fun! While your child is strengthening the muscles used to hold crayons and markers, she can also improve her number recognition and color recognition.
Here is a cute (and delicious!) activity to enjoy with your little one. This would lend itself to loads of substitutions: instead of Nilla Wafers, use banana or kiwi slices; use vanilla pudding or whipped topping for the smoke; add raisins instead of coated candies, etc.
Every Child Ready to Read® @ your library®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission.
