Monday, July 31, 2017

Build your Brain for Preschoolers 7/31/17: Art

Book read: 
I'm the best artist in the ocean by Kevin Sherry

Other book suggestions:
Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh
I ain't gonna paint no more by Karen Beaumont

This is the way we paint (from Storytime Katie)
This is the way we stir the paint, stir the paint, stir the paint.
This is the way we stir the paint, so early in the morning.
Other verses can include dip the brush, paint the paper, blow it dry, etc.

If you like green (to the tune of "Did you ever see a lassie?")
If you like green, like green, like green,
If you like green clap your hands!
If you like green, like green, like green,
If you like green jump up and down!
Substitute with other colors. Other actions can include stomp your feet, spin all around, etc.

Red, red, red (from Storytime All Stars)
Red, red, red, touch your head.
Blue, blue, blue, touch your shoe.
Brown, brown, brown, touch  the ground.
Black, black, black, touch your back.
Pink, pink, pink, give a wink.
Gray, gray, gray, shout hooray! 

Color identification game with parachute

Art related stations

Literacy tip of the week: Art is great at all ages because it encourages the two halves of the brain to work together.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Baby Storytime 7/27/17

Book read:
Do lions live on lily pads? by Melanie Walsh

Dancing Animals (from Librarian Lisa's Storytimes)
This is the way the bunnies hop,
The bunnies hop,
This is the way the bunnies hop,
So early in the morning!
(Other actions can include any other animal and accompanying movement) 

Hands are Clapping (from Reading With Red)
Hands are clapping,
Clap, clap, clap,
Hands are clapping,
Clap, clap, clap,
Hands are clapping,
Clap, clap, clap,
Clap your hands my darling!

Other verses include:
Toes are tapping...
Fingers are wiggling...
Eyes are hiding...

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

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

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from KCLS)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
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)

Wheels on the Bus

10 Little Bubbles (while popping bubbles, to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles,
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air.

Literacy tip of the week: Encourage your baby when they practice making sounds. When they coo, gurgle or mimic you they are getting valuable practice with sounds and speech.

Community Helpers Storytime for Toddlers: 7/25/17

Book read: 
Shh! Everybody's sleeping! by Julie Markes

Other book suggestions:
Hardworking Puppies by Lynn Reiser
Firefighters: speeding, spraying, saving! by Patricia Hubbell
Bark, George! by Jules Feiffer

 If you're a helper and you know it

Have you ever seen a policeman? (to "Have you ever seen a lassie?")Have you ever seen a policeman, policeman, policeman,
Have you ever seen a policeman drive this way and that?
Drive this way and that way, Drive this way and that way?
Have you ever seen a policeman drive this way and that?
(Substitute other actions, running, jumping, etc)

Fireman, Fireman (from Sunflower Storytime)
Fireman, fireman, turn around.
Fireman, fireman touch the ground.
Fireman, fireman, drive the truck.
Fireman, fireman, don't get stuck!
Fireman, fireman, hurry to the fire.
Fireman, fireman, spray the water higher.
Fireman, fireman, give a shout,
Fireman, fireman, you put the fire out!

Wheels on the Bus

Craft: We colored a mail carrier hat.

Literacy tip of the week: Talk about the pictures in the story as you read with your child. It is a great way to help them understand how the pictures and words in books can work together!

Build your Brain for Preschoolers 7/24/17: Sensory Fun

Book read: 
Five For A Little One by Chris Raschka

Touch Game (from Perry Public Library)
Touch your nose, touch your chin,
That's the way this game begins.
Touch your eyes, touch your knees,
No pretend you're going to sneeze!
Touch your hair, touch your eat,
Touch your two red lips right here.
Touch your elbows where they bend,
That's the way this touch game ends.

Watch the snowflakes (to the tune of "Frere Jacques", from Jen In The Library)
Watch the snowflakes, watch the snowflakes,
Falling down, falling down,
Oh so very slowly, Oh so very slowly,
To the ground, to the ground.
(replace snowflakes with leaves, rain, etc.)

I'm a little teapot
I'm a little teapot.
Short and stout.
Here is my handle.
Here is my spout.
When I get all steamed up.
Hear me shout:
"Tip me over and pour me out!" 

Peekaboo with parachute

Sensory stations

Literacy tip of the week: Sensory activities provide great opportunities to introduce kids to new vocabulary. Many fun and unusual words often come up during sensory play, such as "squishy" and "gooey"!


Saturday, July 22, 2017

Build your brain for Preschoolers 7/17/17: Music

Books read: 
The Nuts: Keep Rolling by Eric Litwin

Other books suggestions:
Babies on the Bus by Karen Katz
If you're happy and you know it by James Warhola

ASL sign of the week: Music

"Keep Rolling

Let's get the rhythm (from Jbrary)

Let's get the rhythm of our knees (x3)
If you please
Let's get the rhythm of our knees.

Let's get the rhythm our our hands...
How grand...

Let's get the rhythm of our feet...
How neat...

Let's get the rhythm of our head...
Oh dread.. 

Play with song cube

Dance your fingers (from Storytime Katie)
Dance your fingers up,
Dance your fingers down,
Dance your fingers side to side,
Dance them round and round,
Dance them on your shoulders,
Dance them on your head,
Dance them on your tummy,
And put them right to bed!

Music related stations

Literacy tip of the week: Music helps us hear the parts that make up words. Different sounds fall on different notes, making each more distinct!

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Baby Storytime 7/20/17

Book: 
Duckie's Rainbow by Frances Barry

Where is Big Toe? (with scarves, to the tune of "Where is Thumbkin?", from Library Meow)
Where is big toe?
Where is big toe?
Here I am! Here I am! (touch baby's toe)
Wiggle, wiggle, big toe,
Wiggle, wiggle, big toe.
My big toe. My big toe.

Other verses can include:
Where is elbow...bendy, bendy elbow.
Where is tummy... tickle, tickle tummy.
Where are two eyes... peekaboo two eyes.
Where are two hands... happy clappy two hands.


We Hit the Floor Together (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell", from Abby Librarian)
We hit the floor together,
We hit the floor together,
We hit the floor together,
Because it's fun to do!

Repeat with different actions: clap hands, nod heads, sway side to side, say hello, etc.


Bumping up and down (from Deschutes Library)
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon, (bounce baby)
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon,
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon,
Won't you be my darling? (hug baby)
One wheel's off and the axle's broken (tilt to one side)
One wheel's off and the axle's broken (tilt to other side)
Won't you be my darling? (hug baby)

Played with song cube
 
I'm a little cuckoo clock (from KCLS)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
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)

Wheels on the Bus

10 Little Bubbles (while popping bubbles, to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles,
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air.

Pop Goes the Weasel (with parachute) 

Literacy tip of the week: Song cubes are a fun way to fit in some singing with babies and toddlers. They are easy to make because all you need is a box and some song ideas. Try making one at home!

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Color Storytime for Toddlers 7/18/17

Book read: 
Butterfly, Butterfly by Petr Horacek

Other book suggestions:
Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh
Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff

ASL Sign of the Week: Butterfly

Grey Squirrel (first verse from Miss Meg's Storytime, others by me)
Grey Squirrel, Grey Squirrel,
Shake your bushy tail!
Grey Squirrel, Grey Squirrel,
Shake your bushy tail!

Red Bird, Red Bird,
Flap your pretty wings!
Red Bird, Red Bird,
Flap your pretty wings!

Brown Dog, Brown Dog,
Wag your long tail!
Brown Dog, Brown Dog,
Wag your long tail!

Black Cat, Black Cat,
Crawl around the floor!
Black Cat, Black Cat,
Crawl around the floor!

Goldfish, Goldfish,
Swim around the room!
Goldfish, Goldfish,
Swim around the room!

If you like green (to the tune of "Did you ever see a lassie?")
If you like green, like green, like green,
If you like green clap your hands!
If you like green, like green, like green,
If you like green jump up and down!
Other actions can include stomp your feet, spin all around, etc.

One little fish (with scarves, from Jbrary)
One little fish,
Swimming in the water, (wave scarf like fish swimming)
Swimming in the water,
Swimming in the water,
Bubble, bubble, bubble, (bunch scarf)
Pop, pop, pop! (throw scarf)

We wave our scarves (adapted from "We Hit the Floor Together" by Abby Librarian)
We wave our scarves together, together,
We wave our scarves together, together,
We wave our scarves together,
Because it's fun to do!
Other actions can include throwing, spinning, hiding, etc. 

Craft: We made rainbows out of precut pieces and cotton balls.

Literacy tip of the week: Talk with your child about favorite colors. Can you find things that color as you go about your day?

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Baby Storytime 7/13/17

Book read:
Splash by Flora McDonnell

Hello Everybody (to the tune of from Jbrary)
Well hello everybody can you touch your nose, touch your nose, touch your nose?
Well hello everybody can you touch your nose, touch your nose?

Well hello everybody can you touch your toes, touch your toes, touch your toes?
Well hello everybody can you touch your toes?
(Other actions can include clap your hands, jump up high, stomp your feet, etc)

Giddyup, Giddyup (from King County Library System)
Giddyup, giddyup ride to town, (bounce baby on your lap)
Giddyup, giddyup, up and down.
Giddyup fast, (bounce quickly)
Giddyup slow, (bounce slowly)
Giddyup, giddyup, WHOA! (dip baby backwards)

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Bouncing, Bouncing (adapted from NIEHS)
Bouncing, bouncing (bounce baby)
Hop, hop, hop! Hop, hop, hop!
Bouncing, bouncing bouncing,
Bouncing, bouncing,
Now we stop! (stop)
Other actions can include clapping, stomping, flying, etc.

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from KCLS)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
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)

Wheels on the Bus

10 Little Bubbles (while popping bubbles, to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")
One little,
Two little,
Three little bubbles,
Four little,
Five little,
Six little bubbles.
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little bubbles.
Ten little bubbles in the air.

Literacy tip of the week: Popping bubbles is a fun way to help your baby develop the fine motor skills they will need for writing!

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Construction Storytime for Toddlers 7/11/17

Book read: 
Tap Tap Bang Bang by Emma Garcia

Other book suggestions: 
Construction Kitties by Judy Sue Goodwin Sturges
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker

ASL Sign of the Week: Truck

Cranes (from Storytime Katie)
Cranes reach up,
Cranes reach down,
Cranes reach out,
And all around!

Construction Worker Song (from Everything Preschool)

This is the way we pound out nails, pound our nails (pound fists)
This is the way we pound our nails, so early in the morning.

Other verses:
Saw wood (move arms in sawing motion)
Shake paint (shake hands up and down)
Drill a hole (move hands in a circle)
Paint the walls (move hands side to side)  

Actions with Construction Movement Cards  

Old MacDonald Had a Truck
Wheels-Spin
Horn-Honk
Wipers-Swish

Literacy tip of the week: Books introduce new ideas and vocabulary. This week we learned some great words for different tools!

Craft: We colored tools and glued them to paper strips to make "tool belts".

Monday, July 10, 2017

Build Your Brain for Preschoolers 7/10/17: Stories

Book read:
Reading makes you feel good by Todd Parr

Other book suggestions:
Where are my books? by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Mom, Dad our books and Me by Danielle Marcotte

If you love reading and you know it 

The Goldfish by Laurie Berkner (shows use of imagination!)


Story stew (modified from MCLS Kids, done with puppets on parachute)
Story stew, story stew!
Some for me, and some for you!
Who should we add to our story stew?

The chute is on my head (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell", from Laughter and Literacy)
The chute is on my head, the chute is on my head!
Hi ho the dairy-o, the chute is on my head!
The chute goes up and down, the chute goes up and down!
Hi ho the dairy-o, the chute goes up and down!
The chute goes fast and slow, the chute goes fast and slow!
Hi ho the dairy-o, the chute goes fast and slow!
The chute is on my head, the chute is on my head!
Hi ho the dairy-o the chute is on my head!

Literacy tip of the week: Reading together builds connections in a child's brain. When we read with those we love, those connections are strengthened even futher.

Post storytime activity: Scavenger hunt for our favorite book characters