Holiday Fun Storytime 12/10/13 and 12/11/13

Books read:
Christmas Magic by Sue Stainton
The house that Santa built by Dianne De Las Casas

Other book suggestions:
Llama llama holiday drama by Anna Dewdney
It's Christmas by Tina Burke
Bear stays up for Christmas by Karma Wilson

Little Green Tree (from Step by Step Childcare)
I'm a little green tree in the house,
Here is my trunk (raise arms up straight)
Here are my boughs. (hold arms out to sides)
Decorate me now with lights so fine (move hands across body)
Then plug me in and watch me shine! (hold arms out to sides and smile)

Where is Santa? (from Step by Step Childcare)
Where is Santa? Where is Santa? (put hands behind back)
Here I am! Here I am! (make a big belly with your arms)
Merry, merry Christmas!
Merry, merry Christmas!
Ho ho ho! Ho ho ho! (put hands behind back)

The Reindeer Pokey
You put your antlers in, (bow head forward)
You put your antlers out, (lean head back)
You put your antlers in,
And you shake them all about (shake head)
You do the Reindeer Pokey and you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about!

Other verses include hooves (feet), tail, red nose, and reindeer self.

Dance to "Boogie Woogie Santa" on CD

Sing "Jingle Bells"

Five Little Bells (from the Holiday Zone)
Five little bells hanging in a row, (hold up five fingers)
The first one said "Ring me slow." (hold up one finger)
The second one said "Ring me fast." (hold up two fingers)
The third one said "Ring me last." (hold up three fingers)
The fourth one said "I'm like a chime." (hold up four fingers)
The fifth one said "Ring us all at Christmas time!" (hold up five fingers)

Literacy tip of the week: Stories with a definite pattern (such as "The House that Santa built") are great to read aloud because they encourage a child's participation.When you read this kind of book one on one the repetition can also encourage your child to recognize repeated words.

Craft:
We made wreaths out of paper plates and construction paper :)

 

Baby Storytime 12/4/13

Book read:
Where is baby's belly button? by Karen Katz

Bumblebee (from Perry Public Library)
Bumblebee was in he barn (circle finger in the air)
Carrying dinner under his arm (move finger closer to baby)
Bzzzz! (tickle baby)

Baa Baa Black Sheep
Baa baa black sheep (clap along to song)
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.
One for my master (one big clap)
And one for my dame (another big clap)
And one (another big clap)
For the little boy (or girl)
Who lives down the lane.

Kangaroo Brown (from Perry Public Library)
Jump! Jump! Kangaroo Brown (bounce baby)
Jump! Jump! Off to town!
Jump! Jump! Up and down!
Jump! Jump! Kangaroo Brown!

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock (rock baby back and forth on lap)
I"m a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock!
CUCKOO! CUCKOO! (lift baby twice)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's three o'clock!
CUCKOO! CUCKOO! CUCKOO! (lift baby three times)

Wheels on the bus

Itsy Bitsy Spider

These are baby's fingers (from Perry Public Library)
These are baby's fingers (wiggle fingers)
These are baby's toes (wiggle toes)
This is baby's belly button
Round and round it goes (circle finger on baby's tummy)
These are baby's eyes (touch baby's eyes)
This is baby's nose (touch baby's nose)
This is baby's belly button (tickles tummy)
Right where Mommy blows! (buzz lips on baby's tummy)

Head Shoulders Knees and Toes

Literacy tip of the week: When you are reading to your baby pay attention to their reactions. If they don't seem to be enjoying the story it is okay to stop and try another book or another time.

Cookies Storytime 12/3/2013 and 12/4/13

Books read:
Cookie Count by Robert Sabuda
The cow loves cookies by Karma Wilson

Other book suggestions: 
The Duckling Gets a Cookie by Mo Willems
Who took the cookies from the cookie jar? (various by several authors exist)
If you give a mouse a cookie by Laura Numeroff

Making Cookies (from Sunflower Storytime)
I am making cookie dough,
Round and round the beaters go, (make circular motion)
Add some flour from a cup, stir and stir the batter up (pour and stir)
Roll them, and cut them, nice and neat. Put them on a cookie sheet (make rolling motion)
Bake them and count them, 1 2 3 and serve them to your friends for tea! (pretend to take a bite)

I'm a little gingerbread boy/girl (from Preschool Education)
I'm a little gingerbread boy, (boys bow)
I'm a little gingerbread girl, (girls bow)
I can jump, (jump)
And I can twirl. (all turn around)
I have raisins for my eyes (point to eyes)
And bright red buttons (point to chest)
Just this size.
I have a mouth that looks like this (point to mouth)
I can even blow a kiss. (blow kiss)
I'm warm and tasty, but don't eat me!
Hang me on your Christmas tree! (make hands into tree shape above your head)

If you like cookies and you know it
If you like cookies and you know it clap your hands. (clap hands)
If you like cookies and you know it clap your hands.
If you like cookies and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you like cookies and you know it clap your hands.

If you like cookies and you know it stomp your feet. (stomp feet)
If you like cookies and you know it stomp your feet.
If you like cookies and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you like cookies and you know it stomp your feet.

If you like cookies and you know it shout "Hooray!"
If you like cookies and you know it shout "Hooray!"
If you like cookies and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you like cookies and you know it shout "Hooray!"

Five Little Gingerbread Men (from Step by Step Childcare)
Five little gingerbread men in a row.
Not gonna eat one, no, no, no. (shake finger side to side)
But they look so sweet, from head to toe. (touch head, then toes)
Crunch, munch! (slap thighs on crunch, clap hands on munch)
UH OH! (put hands over mouth)

Four little gingerbread men in a row.
Not gonna eat one,no, no, no.
But they look so sweet, from head to toe.
Crunch, munch!
UH OH!

Count down till all gingerbread men are gone.

No little gingerbread men in a row.
Wasn't gonna eat one, no, no, no.
But they looked so sweet, it's sad to tell.
Crunch, munch, Oh well! (shrug shoulders)

George the Gingerbread Man Color Story

Literacy tip of the week: Reading counting books, such as Cookie Count by Robert Sabuda, is a great way to work on math and literacy skills at the same time.

Craft: We decorated paper cookies with chocolate chips :)

Baby Storytime 11/27/13

Book read:
All Kinds of Kisses by Nancy Tafuri

Stretching Game (from Perry Public Library)
Baby, baby arms up high! (lift baby's arms)
Baby stretch them to the sky.
Baby, baby arms down low. (lower baby's arms)
Baby now touch your toes! (touch baby's toes)

Pat a Cake
Pat a Cake, pat a cake, (clap baby's hands together)
Bakers man,
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it (roll baby's arms)
Pat it (pat baby's legs)
And mark it with a B.
And put it in the oven for baby and me!

Acka Backa (from Northport Library)
Acka backa soda cracker
Acka back boo! (rock or bounce baby)
Acka backa soda cracker,
I love you! (give baby a hug)

Acka back soda cracker,
Acka backa boo!
Acka backa soda cracker,
Up goes you! (lift baby)

My Pony Macaroni (do three times with increasing speed) (from Born to Read)
I have a little pony, (bounce baby on lap)
His name is Macaroni.
He trots and trots and then he stops (stop bouncing)
Funny little pony!

Rickety, Rickety Rocking Horse (from Perry Public Library)
Rickety, rickety rocking horse (bounce baby on your lap)
Over the fields we go.
Rickety rickety rocking horse (gradually bounce faster)
Giddyup, giddyup,
WHOA! (lean back)

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, Tick tock, (rock baby back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, Tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, Tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, Tick tock,
It's two o 'clock!
CUCKOO! CUCKOO! (lift baby twice)

Tick tock, Tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, Tick tock,
It's three o'clock!
CUCKOO! CUCKOO! CUCKOO! (lift baby three times)

Wheels on the Bus

Head Shoulders Knees and Toes

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Literacy tip of the Week:
Learning animal sounds (like those used in "All Kinds of Kisses") is one way to help your child learn about the different sounds in language.  For example, learning "baa" and "maa" is great practice for differentiating between a "b" sound and a "m" sound.

Turkeys Storytime 11/26/13

Books read:
Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano
I'm a Turkey by Jim Arnosky

Other book suggestions: 
This is the Turkey by Abby Levine
Gobble, gobble by Catherine Falwell

I'm a Turkey (from the Holiday Zone)
I'm a turkey, big and fat. (spread arms wide)
I spread my tail. I walk like that. (fan fingers like a turkey's tail and waddle)
Each days corn I will not miss. (rub stomach)
When I talk I sound like this:
GOBBLE! GOBBLE! GOBBLE!

If you're thankful and you know it (from the Holiday Zone)
If you're thankful and you know it clap your hands (clap hands)
If you're thankful and you know it clap your hands.
If you're thankful and you know it your face will surely show it.
If you're thankful and you know it clap your hands.

If you're thankful and you know it stomp your feet. (stomp feet)
If you're thankful and you know it stomp your feet.
If you're thankful and you know it your face will surely show it.
If you're thankful and you know it stomp your feet.

If you're thankful and you know it shout "I AM!"
If you're thankful and you know it shout "I AM!"
If you're thankful and you know it your face will surely show it.
If you're thankful and you know it shout "I AM!"

If you're thankful and you know it do all three.
If you're thankful and you know it do all three.
If you're thankful and you know it your face will surely show it.
If you're thankful and you know it do all three.

Turkey Pokey (version of Hokey Pokey, from HCPL Kidsite)
You put your right wing in,
You take your right wing out.
You do they Turkey Pokey and you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about.
(For more verses substitute left wing, beak, claws, tail feathers and turkey body) 

I'm a little turkey (from Perpetual Preschool)
(to the tune of "I'm a little teapot")
I'm a little turkey, fluffy and round.
My wings flap when I turn around. (flap arms like wings)
I've got feathers on my back.
And a big orange beak that goes click clack! (Put hands in front of mouth like a beak and clap together)

Five Little Turkeys (from DLTK)
Five little turkeys standing by a door.
One waddled off and then there were four.
Four little turkeys under a tree.
One waddled off and then there were three.
Three little turkeys with nothing to do.
One waddled off and then there were two.
Two little turkeys in the noonday sun.
One waddled off and then there was one.
One little turkey better run away.
For soon will come Thanksgiving Day!

Literacy tip of the week:
The holidays can present a lot of fun literacy opportunities. For instance, you can have your child make holiday cards to practice drawing and writing skills. You could also involve your child as you cook or bake. Pointing out words in recipes and matching them to labels on the ingredients is a great way to develop their knowledge of print.

Craft: 
We colored turkeys :)

Baby Storytime 11/20/13

Book read:
Peek-a-Moo! by Marie Tores Cimarusti
Shapes by Little Scholastic

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Kangaroo Brown
Jump, jump Kangaroo Brown! (bounce baby on your lap)
Jump jump, off to town!
Jump, jump, up and down!
Jump, Jump, Kangaroo Brown!

The Grand Old Duke of York
The grand old Duke of York,
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill (lift baby in the air)
And he marched them down again (lower baby)
And when they're up, they're up. (lift baby's legs)
And when they're down their down. (lower baby's legs)
But when they're only halfway up (raise legs halfway)
They're neither up nor down.

Motorboat
Motorboat, motorboat, go so slow, (move baby's legs in a bicycling motion slowly)
Motorboat, motorboat, go so fast, (speed up the motion)
Motorboat, motorboat, step on the gas! 

Tick Tock
Tick tock, Tick tock, (rock baby back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, Tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, Tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, Tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (lift baby twice)

Tick tock, Tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, Tick tock,
It's three o'clock! (lift baby three times)

Wheels on the Bus

If you're happy and you know it

Literacy tip of the week:
When you read to your baby you do not have to read the words exactly as they are on the page. You can "read" the book by talking about the pictures. This can allow you to shorten the story to accommodate your baby's attention span.

I'm Thankful for Dad Storytime 11/19/13 and 11/20/13

Books read: 
The Daddy Book by Todd Parr
I love my daddy by Giles Andrea
When dads don't grow up by Marjorie Blain Parker

Other book suggestions:
Knufflebunny by Mo Willems
Oh Daddy by Bob Shea

If you love Daddy and you know it 
If you love Daddy and you know it clap your hands. (clap hands)
If you love Daddy and you know it clap your hands.
If you love Daddy and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you love Daddy and you know it clap your hands.

If you love Daddy and you know it blow a kiss. (blow a kiss)
If you love Daddy and you know it blow a kiss.
If you love Daddy and you know it. and you really want to show it,
If you love Daddy and you know it blow a kiss.

If you love Daddy and you know it shout "Hooray!"
If you love Daddy and you know it shout "Hooray!"
If you love Daddy and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you love Daddy and you know it shout "Hooray!"

Daddy takes good care of me (adapted from Storytime ABC's, sung to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb")
Daddy likes to jump with me,  (jump)
Jump with me, jump with me.
Daddy likes to jump with me!
Because he loves me so.

Daddy likes to dance with me, (dance around)
Dance with me, dance with me.
Daddy likes to dance with me!
Because he loves me so.

Daddy likes to clap for me, (clap hands)
Clap for me, clap for me.
Daddy likes to clap for me!
Because he loves me so.

Daddy gives me lots of hugs, (wrap arms around self and hug)
Lots of hugs, lots of hugs.
Daddy gives me lots of hugs!
Because he loves me so.

Daddy takes good care of me,
Care of me, care of me.
Daddy takes good care of me!
Because he loves me so.

Daddy Works with One Hammer (from I read to relax)
My daddy works with one hammer,
One hammer, one hammer, (pound one fist on the ground)
My daddy works with one hammer,
and now he works with two! (pound both fists on the ground)
My daddy works with two hammers,
Two hammers, two hammers, (pound two fists on the ground)
My daddy works with two hammers,
and now he works with three! (pound two fists and stomp one foot)
My daddy works with three hammers,
Three hammers, three hammers. (pound both fists and stomp one foot)
My daddy works with three hammers.
and now he works with four! (pound both fists and stomp both feet)
My daddy works with four hammers,
Four hammers, four hammers. (pound both fists and stomp both feet)
My daddy works with four hammers,
and now he needs a nap! (collapse on the ground)

I have a little heart (from Storytime Katie)
I have a little heart heart that goes
Thump! Thump! Thump! (pat chest three times)
It goes right on beating when I
Jump! Jump! Jump! (jump)
I get a special feeling when I look at you.
It makes me want to give you a kiss or two! (blow kiss)

I have a little heart that goes
Thump! Thump! Thump! (pat chest three times)
It goes right on beating when I
Jump! Jump! Jump! (jump)
I get a special feeling when I look at you.
It makes me want to give you a hug or two! (give hugs)

Daddy's Ties (from Storytime Secrets)
Sung to "Mary wore a red dress". 
Use various colored tie cut outs and have child identify each colored tie.
Daddy wore his purple tie,
purple tie, purple tie,
Daddy wore his purpple tie all day long!
Continue with blue, green, yellow and red)

Five Little Ducks
Five little ducks went out to play,
Over the hill and far away.
Daddy duck called "Quack, Quack, Quack!"
And only 4 little ducks came back.

Four little ducks went out to play,
Over the hill and far away.
Daddy duck called "Quack, Quack, Quack!"
And only 3 little ducks came back.

Three little ducks went to play,
Over the hill and far away.
Daddy duck called "Quack, Quack, Quack!"
And only 2 little ducks came back.

Two little ducks went out to play,
Over the hill and far away.
Daddy duck called "Quack, Quack, Quack!"
And only 1 little duck came back.

One little duck went out to play,
Over the hill and far away.
Daddy duck called "Quack, Quack, Quack!"
And all of the little ducks came back!

Literacy tip of the Week:
When you are reading to your child, relate what you are reading to your child's experiences. This helps them make a personal connection to the story and can help build their understanding.

Craft:
We made colorful ties with torn construction paper :)

Baby Storytime 11/13/13

Books read:
I like fruit by Lorena Siminovich
Where's your nose? by Eliot Kreloff

Giddyap, Giddyap
Giddyap, giddyap ride to town (bounce baby on knees)
Giddyap, giddyap up and down.
Giddyap fast. (bounce fast)
Giddyap slow. (bounce slow)
Giddyap, giddyap, giddyap, WHOA! (lean backwards)

Tick, Tock
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby back and forth on lap)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock.
It's one o'clock!
Cuckoo! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock.
It's two o'clock! (lift baby twice)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock.
It's three o'clock! (lift baby three times)

My Pony Macaroni
(done three times with increasing speed)
I have a little pony. (bounce baby on lap)
His name is Macaroni.
He trots and trots and then he stops. (stop)
Silly little pony!

Wheels on the Bus

Peekaboo (to the tune of Frere Jacques)
Peekaboo! Peekaboo!
I see you! I see you!
I see your button nose!
I see your tiny toes!
Peekaboo! Peekaboo!

Head Shoulders Knees and Toes

Fall Storytime 11/12/13 and 11/13/13

Books read: Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert

Other book suggestions:
Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
Fall Leaves Fall by Zoe Hall
Leaf Jumpers by Carole Gerber

Autumn Leaves (to the tune of "Mary had a Little Lamb")
Autumn leaves are falling down, (wiggle fingers and move hands towards the ground)
Falling down, Falling down.
Autumn leaves are falling down.
All over town.

Autumn leaves are whirling round, (spin around)
Whirling round, whirling round.
Autumn leaves are whirling round.
All over town.

Additional verses can include "dancing round", "jumping round", etc.

If I were a leaf
If I were a leaf,
I'd jump down from my tree, (jump)
I'd dance in the wind, (dance)
I'd fly in the breeze, (pretend to fly)
Falling softly to the ground I'd spin in the air (spin around)
Then I'd land on the ground. (fall down) 
I just don't know where. (shrug shoulders)

Here we go round the apple tree (to the tune of "Here we go round the Mulberry Bush")
(Have kids hold hands in a circle like Ring Around the Rosie)
Here we go round the apple tree, apple tree, apple tree.
Here we go round the apple tree, so early in the morning.

Here we go round the pumpkin patch, pumpkin patch. (circle goes in opposite direction)
Here we go round the pumpkin patch, so early in the morning.

This is how the leaves fall down, leaves fall down.
This is how the leaves fall down, so early in the morning. (all fall down)

Way up high in the apple tree

Way up high in the apple tree (stretch arms up high)
Five red apples smiled at me. (hold up five fingers)
I shook that tree as hard as I could. (shake)
Down came an apple, and boy was it good!

Way up high in the apple tree (stretch arms up high)
Four red apples smiled at me (hold up four fingers)
I shook that tree as hard as I could. (shake)
Down came an apple, and boy was it good!

Count down to one apple.

Literacy Tip of the Week:Reading factual picture books and nonfiction such as "Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf" is becoming increasingly important. New school standards mean that nonfiction will receive a great deal of attention in schools, so it is great to start early.

Craft:

Halloween Storytime 10/31/13

Book read:
Click Clack Boo! by Doreen Cronin

Other book suggestions:
Pumpkin Eye by Denise Fleming
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
We're going on a ghost hunt by Susan Pearson
Ghosts in the House by Kazuno Kohara

If you're a ghost and you know it
If you're a ghost and you know it, just say "Boo"! (shout BOO!)
If you're a ghost and you know it, just say "Boo"!
If you're a ghost and you know and you really want to show it,
If you're a ghost and you know it, just say "Boo"!

If you're a bat and you know it, flap your wings! (flap your arms like wings)
If you're a bat and you know it, flap your wings!
If you're a bat and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you're a bat and you know it, flap your wings!

If you're a werewolf and you know it, give a howl! (howl)
If you're a werewolf and you know it, give a howl!
If you're a werewolf and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you're a werewolf and you know it give a howl!

Monster Boogie (on "Buzz, Buzz" CD by Laurie Berkner)

The Ghost in the House (to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus"
The ghost in the house goes "Boo! Boo! Boo!" (pretend to float around the room like a ghost)
"Boo! Boo! Boo! Boo! Boo! Boo!"
The ghost in the house goes "Boo! Boo! Boo!"
On Halloween.

The steps in the house go "Creak, creak, creak" (step around room slowly making creaking noises)
"Creak, creak creak. Creak creak creak."
The steps in the house go "Creak, creak, creak"
On Halloween.

The cats in the house go "Meow, meow, meow" (crawl like a cat)
"Meow, meow, meow. Meow, meow, meow."
The cats in the house go "Meow, meow, meow"
On Halloween.

The bats in the house go "Squeak, squeak, squeak" (flap arms like wings)
"Squeak, squeak, squeak. Squeak, squeak, squeak."
The bats in the house go "Squeak, squeak, squeak."
On Halloween.

Brown Owl, Brown Owl, What do you see?
(Adapted from Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? by Bill Martin Jr.)
Brown Owl, Brown Owl, What do you see?
I see a White Ghost looking at me.
White Ghost, White Ghost, What do you see?
I see a Purple Bat looking at me.
Purple Bat, Purple Bat, What do you see?
I see a Green Witch looking at me.
Green Witch, Green Witch, What do you see?
I see a Black Cat looking at me.
Black Cat, Black Cat, What do you see?
I see an Orange Pumpkin looking at me.
Pumpkin, Pumpkin, What do you see?
I see a Brown Owl, a White Ghost, a Purple Bat, a Green Witch, a Black Cat and children looking at me!

Ten Little Ghosts
Ten little ghosts all dressed in white (Hold up 10 fingers)
Went out a-haunting on Halloween night. (Wiggle fingers)
They all looked around for someone to scare. (Cup hands around eyes, look around)
They floated here and floated there. (Wiggle fingers to the right then to the left)
Then the ten little ghosts took a look at you (Point to child)
And they all ran away when you said "Boo!"(Put hands behind your back)

Literacy Tip of the Week: 
Fine motor activities such as coloring, sticking stickers or playing with Playdoh help your child develop the muscle strength needed to write successfully. Creating a picture can also be a great way for a child to tell a story before they are able to write.

Craft:
We decorated ghosts with tissue paper :)

Baby Storytime 10/16/13

Book read: 
Toot toot, Beep beep by Emma Garcia

Rickety Rickety Rocking Horse
Rickety, rickety rocking horse (bounce baby on your knees)
Over the fields we go.
Rickety, rickety rocking horse (gradually bounce faster)
Giddy up, giddy up
WHOA! (lean backwards)

Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands
Clap, clap clap your hands, (clap hands)
Clap them now with me,
Clap your hands, let me see,
Clap them now with me.

Tap, tap tap your feet, (tap feet on the floor)
Tap them now with me,
Tap your feet, let me see,
Tap them now with me.

Shake, shake, shake your feet, (shake baby's feet back and forth)
Shake them now with me,
Shake your feet, let me see,
Shake them now with me.

(Other verses can include touching body parts, slapping knees, etc.)

Wheels on the Bus

Motorboat, Motorboat
Motorboat, motorboat go so slow (move baby's legs slowly)
Motorboat, motorboat, go so fast, (move baby's legs faster)
Motorboat, motorboat, step on the gas! (pull baby's legs out straight)

I'm a little cuckoo clock
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick, tock, tick, tock,
It's one o'clock!
Cuckoo! (lift baby in air once)

Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock!
Cuckoo! Cuckoo! (lift baby in air twice)

Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's three o'clock!
Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo! (lift baby in air three times)

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Baby's Hokey Pokey from Babyface CD

Literacy tip of the week:
Keep reading sessions short and fun! This is the best way to develop your baby's love of books and reading.

Monsters Storytime 10/15/13 and 10/16/13

Books read:
Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley
Bedtime for Monsters by Ed Vere

Other book suggestions:
My Monster Mama loves me so by Laura Leuck
If you're a monster and you know it by Ed Emberley
Monsters on Machines by Deb Lund

If you're a monster and you know it
If you're a monster and you know it,
Wave your claws! (wave hands in the air)
If you're a monster and you know it,
Wave your claws!
If you're a monster and you know it,
and you really want to show it,
If you're a monster and you know it,
Wave your claws!

(Additional verses can include "chomp your teeth", "stamp your paws", "twitch your tail" and "give a roar")

Horns, fangs, knees and claws (version of "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes")
Horns and fangs, knees and claws, (touch each corresponding body part)
Knees and claws.
Horns and fangs, knees and claws,
Knees and claws.
Eyes and ears and tail and claws!
Horns and fangs, knees and claws,
Knees and claws.

Monster Stomp
If you want to be a monster, now here's your chance!
Cause everybody's doing the monster dance.
You just stomp your feet, wave your arms all around, (stomp and wave arms)
Stretch them up, Stretch them up! (lift arms up high)
Then put them on the ground!
Cause you're doing the Monster Stomp, (turn around in a circle)
That's right you're doing the Monster Stomp!

The monsters are so loud (to the tune of "When Johnny comes marching home")
The monsters stomp around the house,
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! (stomp feet)
The monsters stomp around the house,
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The monsters stomp around the house,
Their brothers and sisters send them out
And they stomp some more outside the house.

The monsters yell around the house,
EEEH! EEEH!
The monsters yell around the house,
EEEH! EEEH!
The monsters yell around the house,
Their brothers and sisters send them out,
And they yell some more outside the house.

Monster, Monster (to the tune of "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Turn Around")
Monster, monster, turn around, (turn in a circle)
Monster, monster touch the ground, (touch ground)
Monster, monster, show your shoe, (lift up foot)
Monster, monster, how old are you? (have child give their age)
Monster, monster, reach up high, (reach hands above head)
Monster, monster, blink your eyes, (blink eyes)
Monster, monster slap your knees (slap knees)
Monster, monster, sit down please! (sit down)

Little Monster (color recognition activity)
We hid our monster (Fred) beneath colored beds.
For each color we chant: "Little Monster named Fred, Are you under the (insert color) bed?"

Literacy tip of the week:
It can be a good thing if your child wants to read a favorite book repeatedly. Research suggests repeated readings help develop language skills. Your child may notice new vocabulary and understand more of the story each time it is read.

Craft:
We made monster faces using paper plates, construction paper and yarn :)

Baby Storytime 10/9/13

Books:
How do you make a baby smile? by Philemon Sturges
Little Shapes by Scholastic

Tick, Tock
Tick, tock, tick, tock, (rock baby back and forth on your lap)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick, tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (lift baby once)

Tick, tock, tick, tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick, tock, tick, tock,
It's two o'clock! (lift baby twice)

Tick, tock, tick, tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick, tock, tick, tock,
It's three o'clock! (lift baby three times)

Wheels on the Bus

Peekaboo Song from Babyface CD

Kangaroo Brown
Jump, jump Kangaroo Brown! (bounce baby on lap)
Jump, jump off to town!
Jump, jump, up and down!
Jump, jump, Kangaroo Brown!

If you're happy and you know it

Literacy tip of the week: Make sure to point at pictures and name objects in the story as you read to your child. This is a great way to engage them in the story. It also helps add words to their developing vocabulary.

Pumpkin Storytime 10/8/13 and 10/9/2013

Books read: 
Pumpkin heads by Wendell Minor
The Runaway Pumpkin by Kevin Lewis

Other book suggestions:
It's Pumpkin Time! by Zoe Hall
Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell
The Pumpkin Book by Gail Gibbons

Mr. Pumpkin
I am Mr. Pumpkin big and round (use hands to stretch up and stretch out to make big stomach)
Once upon a time I grew on the ground. (crouch down)
But now I have a mouth, two eyes and a nose (point to each feature)
What are they for, do you suppose? (shrug shoulders)
When I have a candle inside shining bright (put one fist on top of the other, then move fingers of top hand up to show flame)
I'll be a Jack-O-Lantern on Halloween Night! (jump up and smile)

Once there was a Pumpkin
Once there was a pumpkin
And it grew (join fingers of each hand to make one pumpkin)
And grew (separate the hands keeping the pumpkin formation)
And grew (join hands before you, making a large pumpkin with your arms)
Now it's a Jack-O-Lantern and it smiles at you
And you, and you! (Move pumpkin shape around to greet each child)

Jack-O-Poem
I'm Jack-o-Happy! (smile, use happy voice)
I am Jack-o-Sad! (use crying, whiny voice)
I am Jack-o-Sleepy! (use sleepy voice, yawn)
I am Jack-o-Mad! (use growling, angry voice)
I am Jack-o-Small! (use teeny voice, crouch down)
I am Jack-o-Jumping! (Jump up and down)
I am Jack-o-Tall! (reach up high)
I am Jack-o-Lantern, the best one of all!

I'm a Little Pumpkin (to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")
I'm a little pumpkin, orange and ground (hold arms in a circle)
Here is my stem, (place fist on your head)
There is the ground. (touch the ground)
When I get all cut up, don't you shout!
Just open me up and scoop me out! (pretend to scoop the pumpkin out)

Pumpkin Search Game:
Oh, where oh where has my pumpkin gone?
Oh, where oh where can it be?
I'm searching and singing my pumpkin song.
Won't you please help me?

Five Little Pumpkins

Five little pumpkins at my door,
A neighbor took one and then there were four.

Four little pumpkin under a tree,
Along came a farmer and then there were three.

Three little pumpkins that looked so new,
I gave one away and then there were two.

Two little pumpkins out in the sun,
Mom made a pie and then there was one.

Of all the pumpkins there was just one,
So I made a Jack-O-Lantern and that was fun!

Pumpkin Count Jumping
Pumpkin cut outs are laid on the floor and labeled with 1-5. The children must jump from pumpkin to pumpkin in correct counting sequence. (Great for number recognition and especially good for kids who learn best through movement)

Literacy tip of the week:
When you are reading to your child and encounter a word they do not understand, don't change or skip the word. If you do, you miss the chance to develop your child's vocabulary by explaining what the word means.

Craft:  

We decorated pumpkins with torn paper :)

Baby Storytime 10/2/13

Books read: 
Puppy and Friends by Roger Priddy
DK's Touch and Feel Pets

Songs:

Wheels on the Bus

Tick Tock
Tick, tock, tick, tock, (rock back and forth with baby on your lap)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick, tock, tick, tock,
It's one o'clock! (lift baby once)

Tick, tock, tick, tock, (rock back and forth with baby on your lap)
I'm a little cuckoo clock,
Tick, tock, tick, tock,
It's two o'clock! (lift baby twice)

Tick, tock, tick, tock, (rock back and forth with baby on your lap)
I'm a little cuckoo clock,
Tick, tock, tick, tock,
It's three o'clock! (lift baby three times)

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Rickety Rocking Horse
Rickety, rickety rocking horse, (bounce baby on your lap)
Over the fields we go,
Rickety, rickety rocking horse,
Giddy up, giddy up! (bounce a little faster)
WHOA! (lean back)

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

If you're happy and you know it

Literacy tip of the week:
Look for board books with bright or high contrast illustrations. These type of illustrations are easier for the youngest babies to see and will help grab the attention of older babies.

Cats Storytime 10/1/13 and 10/2/13

Books read:
Pete the Cat by Eric Litwin
Mama Cat has three kittens by Denise Fleming

Other book suggestions:
I love cats by Sue Stainton
Kitty cat, kitty cat, are you waking up? by Bill Martin Jr.
Pumpkin Cat by Anne Mortimer
There are cats in this book by Viviane Schwartz

Cat Talk
Cats can meow,
Cats can growl,
Cats can purr,
Cats can yowl.
Cats can arch their backs and hiss,
Just like this! (bend over, arch back and hold up hands like paws and hiss)

If you're a cat and you know it (to the tune of "If you're happy and you know it")
If you're a cat and you know it say meow, (meow)
If you're a cat and you know it say meow.
If you're a cat and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you're a cat and you know it saw meow.

If you're a cat and you know it lick your paws, (pretend to lick hands)
If you're a cat and you know it lick your paws,
If you're a cat and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you're a cat and you know it lick your paws.

If you're a cat and you know it pounce like this, (pretend to pounce on hands and knees)
If you're a cat and you know it pounce like this,
If you're a cat and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you're a cat and you know it pounce like this.

I've got a cat on my knee (to the tune of "Skip to my Loo")
Cat, cat, cat on on my knee, (put both hands on your knee)
Cat, cat, cat on my knee,
Cat, cat, cat on my knee.
Meow, meow, meow, meow.
(Use other body parts for additional verses)

Tiptoe Soft
by Margaret Hillert
Tiptoe soft as a pussycat, (tiptoe)
Soft on little cat feet.
Flap your wings like a baby bird. (flap arms like wings)
Open your beak for a treat. (look up and open your mouth)
Clomp, clomp, clomp like a big old horse. (stomp feet)
Pick up a hoof, and then,
Tip, tip, tip on the tips of your toes, (tiptoe)
Soft as a cat again.

Five Kittens Fingerplay
Five little kittens standing in a row (hold up five fingers)
They nod their heads to the children so. (bend fingers)
They run to the left, they run to the right (run fingers to the left and then to the right)
They stand and stretch in the bright sunlight. (stretch fingers tall)
Along comes a dog that's in for some fun. (Hold up fingers from opposite hand)
MEOW! See those kittens run! (Let fingers run)

Play "Kitten Says" instead of Simon Says

Lost Mitten Color Story
My poor little kitten lost her mitten
And started to cry "Boohoo".
So I helped my kitten look for her mitten,
Her beautiful mitten of BLUE.

I found a mitten just right for a kitten,
Under my mother's bed.
But alas the mitten was not the right mitten.
It was colored RED.

I found a mitten just right for a kitten,
On the hand of you brother's toy clown.
But alas the mitten was not the right mitten,
For it was colored BROWN.

I found a mitten just right for a kitten,
Under the laundry so clean.
But alas the mitten was not the right mitten,
For it was colored GREEN.

I found a mitten just right for a kitten,
Inside a grocery sack.
But alas the mitten was not the right mitten,
For it was colored BLACK.

I found a mitten just right for a kitten,
Under the kitchen sink.
But alas the mitten was not the right mitten,
For it was colored PINK.

I found a mitten just right for a kitten,
Inside my favorite shoe.
And this time it was the right mitten, for it was colored BLUE!

There are some great Pete the Cat activities at the website: http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/feature/petethecat/

Literacy tip of the week:
Singing songs with your child is an important way to get them ready for reading. Songs can help children identify the rhythm and rhyme within language. For instance, singing a word can make it easier to identify the sounds and parts of the word. Over time singing many songs with your child can also help build their vocabulary.

Craft:
We glued yarn to our cats today :)

Baby Storytime 9/25/13

Book read:
The Baby Goes Beep by Rebecca O'Connell

Songs:

Tick, Tock
Tick, tock, tick tock, I'm a little cuckoo clock. (rock baby back and forth on your lap)
Tick, tock, tick, tock,
It's one o'clock! (lift baby once)

Tick, tock, tick, tock, I'm a little cuckoo clock. (rock baby back and forth on your lap)
Tick, tock, tick, tock,
It's two o'clock! (lift baby twice)

Tick, tock, tick, tock, I'm a little cuckoo clock. (rock baby back and forth on your lap)
Tick, tock, tick, tock,
It's three o'clock! (lift baby three times)

Wheels on the Bus

Baby's Hokey Pokey from Baby Face CD

Ricktey Rocking Horse
Rickety, rickety rocking horse, (bounce baby on your knees)
Over the fields we go.
Ricktey, rickety rocking horse,
Giddy up, giddy up.
WHOA! (stop bouncing and lean back)

Toaster Song
I'm toast in the toaster and I'm getting really hot! (bounce baby on your knees)
Tick, tock, tick, tock, (rock back and forth with baby on your lap)
Up I pop! (lift baby up)

Literacy tip of the week:
Letting your baby hold books and turn pages on their own is a great way to help them learn what books are and how books work.

Sail Into Storytime 9/24/13 and 9/25/13

Books read:
I love boats by Flora Mcdonnell
Sail away little boat by Janet Buell

Other book suggestions:
Boats by Anne Rockwell
Don't rock the boat by Sally Grindley

The Boat on the Waves (to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus")
The boat on the waves goes rock, rock, rock,
Rock, Rock, Rock. (stand and rock back and forth)
The boat on the waves goes rock, rock, rock,
All around the lake.

The wind in the sails goes swish, swish, swish,
Swish, Swish, Swish. (swing arms back and forth)
The wind in the sails goes swish, swish,
All around the lake.

The waves on the lake go up and down,
up and down, up and down, (alternate bending knees and standing up)
The waves on the lake go up an down,
All around the lake.

Danced to "A Sailor Went to Sea" on the Wiggles CD "You make me feel like dancing"

Float around in canoes
(Have kids hold hands in a circle like in "Ring Around the Rosie")
Float around in canoes,
(move in circle clockwise)
We are wearing no shoes,
Upstream,
(move counterclockwise)
Downstream,
(move clockwise)
We all splish, splash!
(drop hands and fall to the ground)

Row, row, row your boat
Row, row, row your boat, (rowing motions)
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream. (pretend to sleep)

Rock, rock, rock your boat, (rock back and forth from foot to foot)
Rock in to and fro.
Watch out! Give a shout!
Into the water you go! (pretend to fall into the water)

Row, row, row your boat, (rowing motions)
Down the jungle stream.
If you see a crocodile,
Don't forget to scream! (scream)

Five Little Sailors (counting rhyme)
Five little sailors rowing out from shore,
One fell out and then there were four.
Four little sailors rowing out to sea,
One fell out and then there were three.
Three little sailors calling out "Yoohoo!",
One fell out and then there were two.
Two little sailors having lots of fun,
One fell out and then there was one.
One little sailor all alone.
He jumped in and they all swam home!

Literacy tip of the week
Rhyme is an important element in children's books and songs. Hearing and repeating two words that sound alike in a story helps teach that words are made up of smaller parts. It will even help your child learn to sound out words as they get older.

Craft: 
We worked on our fine motor skills by coloring boats :)

Sports Storytime 9/17/13 and 9/18/2013

Books read:
Goodnight Baseball by Michael Dahl
Hit the Ball Duck by Jez Alborough

Additional book suggestions:
Dino Sports series by Lisa Wheeler (Dino-Baseball, Dino-Soccer)
Other suggestions found at: http://storytimepreschooltoddlers.blogspot.com/2009/04/sports-and-games-storytime.html

This is the way...
This is the way we hit the ball, 
Hit the ball, hit the ball,
This is the way we hit the ball, 
When we play baseball.

This is the way we kick the ball, 
Kick the ball, kick the ball,
This is the way we kick the ball,
When we play soccer.

Substitute other sports related actions (ex. Run the bases, throw the ball, swing the bat)

Here is a ball (catching game)
Here is a ball I keep on the shelf.
I can toss it and catch it and bounce it myself. (do actions as indicated)
Here is a ball I toss to you.(throw ball to child)
Please catch it and toss it right back to me too.

(Note: These action related rhymes and songs are great for helping develop your child's large motor skills.)

My favorite fastest shoes (color identification song using cut out shoes)
I was walking along the street one day (march)
With my knees up high, can you walk this way?
But I stepped in something. What should I do?
My favorite, fastest shoes have turned the color blue!

I was hopping along the street one day (hop)
On just one foot, can you hop this way?
But I hopped in something. I'm filled with dread.
My favorite, fastest shoes have turned the color red!

I was twirling along the street one day (twirl)
Around and around, can you twirl this way?
But I twirled in something. I'm not a happy fellow.
My favorite, fastest shoes have turned the color yellow!

I tiptoed along the street one day. (tiptoe)
Way up on my toes, can you tiptoe this way?
But I tiptoed in something. I'm about to make a scene!
My favorite, fastest shoes have turned the color green!

I stood still on the street one day (stand in place)
With my feet like this, can you stand this way?
I stepped in nothing, but this isn't very fun.
My shoes are meant to run, run, run! (run)

Bouncing Ball
I'm bouncing, bouncing everywhere,
I'm bouncing, bouncing, like a ball.
I bounce and bounce until I fall.

Five Little Footballs (counting activity, using )
Five little footballs, trying hard to score. 
One makes a touchdown! 
Hear the crowd roar!

Four little footballs, trying hard to score.
One makes a touchdown!
Hear the crowd roar!

Countdown until there are no footballs left.

Sing "Take me out to the ballgame"

Literacy tip of the week: In school your child will be asked to make connections between similar stories and books. If a book you read to your child is similar to one you have already read with them, make sure to point this out. Ask them some simple questions about how the books are alike or different. One of the books we read this week, "Goodnight Baseball" is very similar to the classic "Goodnight Moon", so it provides a great example of this.

Craft: 
We decorated our football pictures with torn paper :)
 

 

All About Me Storytime 9/10/13 and 9/11/13

I am so glad storytime is back after our August break :) This week's theme is "All About Me".

The books read: 

The Things I can Do by Jeff Mack
I Like Me by Nancy Carlson

Other book suggestions:
I'm Gonna Like Me by Jamie Lee Curtis
I'm Me by Sara Sheridan

Songs and Activities

Touch game

Touch your nose,

Touch your chin

That's the way this game begins

Touch your eyes

Touch your knees

Now pretend you are going to sneez

Touch your hair

Touch one ear

Touch your two red lips right here

Touch your elbows where they bend

That's the way the touch game ends.

Head Shoulders Knees and Toes
Head and shoulders
Knees and toes
Knees and toes
Head and shoulders 
Knees and toes,
Knees and toes,
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose
Head and shoulders 
Knees and Toes

Note: Songs like these are great for developing motor skills, and for teaching identification of body parts.

  

I can!

Chanting "I can" followed by having the children repeat different actions. (ex. Running, Jumping, Spinning, Stomping Feet, Clapping Hands)

If you're happy and you know it 

Hello, My Name is Joe
Hello, my name is Joe and I work at the Pizza Factory.
I have a house and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me:
"Hey Joe are you busy?" I said "No".
The cook said "Then can you stir this sauce with your right hand (make stirring motion with right hand, continue through rhyme)
Hello, my name is Joe and I work at the Pizza Factory.
I have a house and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me:
"Hey Joe, are you busy?" I said "No."
The cook said "Then can you chop these veggies with your left hand?" (make chopping motion with left hand continue throughout rhyme)
Hello, my name is Joe and I work at the Pizza Factory.
I have a house and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me:
"Hey Joe, are you busy?" I said "No."
The cook said "Then can you close this trash can with your right foot? (make motion with right foot continue throughout rhyme)
Hello my name is Joe, and I work at the Pizza Factory. 
I have a house and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me:
"Hey Joe, are you busy?" I said "No."
The cook said "Then can you open this door with your left foot?" (make motion with left foot, continue throughout rhyme)
Hello, my name is Joe and I work at the Pizza Factory.
I have a house and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me:
"Hey Joe, are you busy?" I said "No".
The cook said "Then can you lick these stamps with your tongue? (continue with tongue out)
Hello, my name is Joe, and I work at the Pizza Factory.
I have a house and a dog and a family.
Now one day the cook said to me:
"Hey Joe, are you busy?" I said "YES!" 

Literacy Tip of the Week: When reading stories like "The Things I can Do", where the pictures don't match with the text is saying, make sure to point out the differences to your child as you read. In school they will be asked to think about choices authors have made to tell their stories, and these differences are one type of choice made by the author.

Craft:

We made pictures of ourselves with yarn and crayon :)