Colors! ~ Toddler Storytime

This Toddler Storytime was presented at Bellevue Public Library on April 8, 2015.

Books:

Edible Colors by Jennifer Vogel Bass

Magic Colors by PatrickGeorge

Songs:

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!)



If Your Clothes Have Any Red
(tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It")

If your clothes have any red, any red,
If your clothes have any red, any red,
If your clothes have any red,
put your finger on your head,
If your clothes have any red, any red.

If your clothes have any: 
...white...then please smile with all your might...
...yellow..smile just like a happy fellow...
...green...wave your hand so you are seen...
...black...put your finger on your back...
...blue...put your finger on your shoe...
...pink...give me just a little wink...




Playtime Activities:

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?

Foam Floor Puzzle

Bean Bags Toss

Teddy Bear Counters

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).

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission.

Colors!

This Toddler Storytime was presented at Bellevue Public Library on September 24, 2014.

Books:

What Color is Your Underwear? by Sam Lloyd

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr, illustrated by Eric Carle

Songs:

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!)


If Your Clothes Have Any Red
(tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It")

If your clothes have any red, any red,
If your clothes have any red, any red,
If your clothes have any red, 
Put your finger on your head,
If your clothes have any red, any red.

Additional verses:
If your clothes have any white...then please smile with all your might!
If your clothes have any blue...put your finger on your shoe!
If your clothes have any black...put your finger on your back!
If your clothes have any yellow...smile like a happy fellow!
If your clothes have any green...then please wave so you are seen!
If your clothes have any pink...give me just a little wink!


Rhymes: 

Can You...?

(a felt board activity!)

Can you swim like a goldfish?
Can you fly like a bluebird?
Can you run like a red dog?
Can you jump like a green frog?
Can you walk like a white duck?
Can you hop like a brown rabbit?

Open, Shut Them!

Open, shut them,

Open, shut them,
Give a little clap, clap, clap!

Open, shut them,

Open, shut them,

Lay them in your lap, lap, lap!

Waving, waving, waving, waving,

High up in the sky, sky, sky.

Wave to me...I'll wave to you.

Now let's all say goodbye, bye, bye.

We always say this rhyme at least twice, increasing the speed with each repetition!

Playtime Activities:

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?

Counting M&Ms Activity Cards



Alphabet Foam Puzzle Floor Mat

Chalk Drawing on black paper.  We used the hair spray to set the colors so that they are less likely to rub off.

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).

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission.

Shapes and Colors!

Presented to Miss Jenny's and Miss Amy's classes at Golden Hills Head Start on Monday, August 26, 2013.

Books:

Lunch by Denise Fleming

I showed the students this book, told them what a fun book it is, then put it back in my basket, saying, "Well, I'm not going to read it to you today."  Naturally I had some very confused and disappointed children - until I told them that instead of reading the book, I was going to tell them the story, with help from my puppet, Squeaky!

Here is a photo of Squeaky:

Yes, he's an athletic sock, (but don't tell him!) 

Here are photos of the fruits and vegetables that Squeaky eats in the story:

Red Apple

Pink Watermelon

Yellow Corn

Blue Blueberries

Purple Grapes

Green Peas

Orange Carrots

I also have a white turnip, which is included in Denise Fleming's story, but after several years of getting blank stares from children who didn't know what a turnip is - (I'll admit that I have never tasted one) - I decided to take it out of my retelling.

As I tell the story, Squeaky "eats" the various foods by putting his head through a hole in each felt piece.  The children often help make a munching sound!  Here is what Squeaky looks like at the end of the story:

During my story I briefly address a couple issues of etiquette when Squeaky burps and when he starts spitting out watermelon seeds!

Here is the post in which I talk about the time I got to meet Denise Fleming!



What Am I? Looking Through Shapes at Apples and Grapes by N. N. Charles, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon

Song:

The Color Pokey
(tune: "The Hokey Pokey")

You put your (color) scarf in,
You take your (color) scarf out,
You put your (color) scarf in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the color pokey and
You turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

For this activity I brought enough scarves (bandanas from OTC, I believe) for each child to have his or her own. 

This is a great activity for color recognition as well as a challenge for most children - who naturally want to participate all the time!  For this game the children were challenged with knowing the color of their scarf and waiting until it was time for their color to be showcased.

Activity:

Open, Shut Them
(a goodbye chant)

Open, shut them,
(open hands, then close into fists)
Open, shut them,
Give a little clap, clap, clap.
(clap 3 times)

Open, shut them,
(open hands, then close into fists)
Open, shut them,
Lay them in your lap, lap, lap.
(pat your legs three times)

Waving, waving, waving, waving,
High up in the sky, sky, sky.

Wave to me, I'll wave to you,
Now let's all say "Goodbye, bye, bye!"

Start out s-l-o-w-l-y, then increase the speed on the second time through.  Can you go even faster when you say it for the third time?!    

 

Each Outreach 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).

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission.



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!

Toddler Storytime - I Like Red!

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Thursday, November 29, 2012.

Books:

A Red Wagon Year written by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by Laura McGee Kvasnosky

Red Truck written by Kersten Hamilton, illustrated by Valeria Petrone

One Red Apple written by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Karla Gudeon

Songs:


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!

Five Red Apples

Five red apples growing on a tree.
(raise hands out to form branches)

There's some for you and some for me!
(point to others, then to self)

When we shake the tree just so,
(shake body)

Five red apples will fall below.
1...2...3...4...5!
(close, then open fist as though dropping each apple)


We had fun exploring the color red at today's storytime.  As children arrived for storytime they were given red wooden blocks, red beanbags and red rhythm sticks to play with and explore.
Next week we begin a 3-week block of Christmas-themed storytimes!  I hope to see you then!

I Like Orange!

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Wednesday, October 24, 2012.
Presented at Welcome School on Friday, October 26, 2012.

Books:

Carrot Soup written and illustrated by John Segal

I Don't Want to Take a Bath by Julie Sykes, illustrated by Tim Warnes

The Strange Egg written and illustrated by Mary Newell DePalma

Songs:

Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands

Clap, clap, clap your hands,
Clap your hands together.
Clap, clap, clap your hands,
Clap your hands together.

What else can you do?  Pat your head? Wiggle your toes? Rub your tummy?  The possibilities are endless!



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.

(This song was not used at Welcome School)


The Orange Pokey

You put your pumpkin shape in, you put your pumpkin shape out.
You put your pumpkin shape in and you shake it all about.
You do the Orange Pokey and you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

2)...leaf shape in...
3)...butterfly shape in...
4)...basketball shape in...

For this activity the children were given 2 or more orange shapes (basketball, pumpkin, butterfly and leaf), then were asked to hold up the appropriate shape for each verse.


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!

(This activity was not used at Welcome School)