Sticking to a theme for Toddlertime is much more difficult than it is for Preschool Storytime, especially since my revelation that toddlers are large babies, not small preschoolers. But, sometimes choosing a theme still helps me make a storytime plan. Today I decided to revisit my theme of the ocean, which has been successful in the past. Plus, who wouldn't take every opportunity possible to sing the Goldfish song?
After saying hello this morning, our first story was Hooray for Fish! by Lucy Cousins.
I love this book for toddlers. The combination of very few words on each page and the happy, dynamic illustrations keep a large group of toddlers engaged.
Because I couldn't choose between them, we did two movement songs after the book: "The Goldfish" (because duh) and "Slippery Fish."
To calm everyone down after our dance party and get ready to hear a felt story, I used the "Everybody Do This Just Like Me" chant. This one is interesting because you need to change up the movements often to keep the kids interested. The point is for them to watch your movements and try to follow what you do, instead of wiggling around. You might have to repeat the first verse 2 or more times. I wouldn't move on to "Everybody sit down" until the group is calm, listening, and ready to sit.
Everybody do this just like me (movement 1)
Everybody do this just like me (movement 2)
Everybody do this just like me (movement 3)
Everybody do this just... (movement 1)
Like... (movement 2)
Me. (movement 3)
(motion for kids to sit down)
Everybody sit down quietly
Everybody sit down quietly
Everybody sit down quietly
Everybody sit down just... like... me.
I did a very simple felt story today, "Five Little Jellyfish."
I like to get the kids involved with this by asking them to help me count down as I remove jellyfish one verse at a time, and to help me identify what color each jellyfish is.
Five little jellyfish swimming by the shore
The yellow one got lost, and then there were four.
Four little jellyfish swimming in the sea
The blue one swam far away, and then there were three.
Three little jellyfish in the ocean blue
The red one took a seahorse ride, and then there were two.
Two little jellyfish swimming in the sun
The orange one took a dive, and then there was one.
One green jellyfish swimming all alone
And then it was time for him to go home!
Finally, we sang "Baby Shark," "Peek-a-Boo," and then said goodbye to all our friends until next time.
After our introduction, our first story was Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker. I like this book because it's the usual "one, two, buckle my shoe" nursery rhyme, with colorful pictures toddlers respond to.
For our first movement song, I used "I Know a Chicken" by Laurie Berkner and passed out egg shakers. Whenever I do this song I make sure to emphasize that it is a call and response song. I usually take the role of the lead singer, and encourage the kids and parents to repeat after me. Many of our Toddlertime kids aren't quite that verbal yet, but it still helps their development to hear the songs and see those around them singing.
The collection of egg shakers is always a little disorganized, and usually ends up with a group of mobile babies running toward me at full speed, and slam dunking their instruments into the bucket. We definitely needed a little calm-down chant after all that excitement. I used the "Everybody Do This Just Like Me" chant. This one is interesting because you need to change up the movements often to keep the kids interested. The point is for them to watch your movements and try to follow what you do, instead of wiggling around. You might have to repeat the first verse 2 or more times. I wouldn't move on to "Everybody sit down" until the group is calm, listening, and ready to sit.
Everybody do this just like me (movement 1)
Everybody do this just like me (movement 2)
Everybody do this just like me (movement 3)
Everybody do this just... (movement 1)
Like... (movement 2)
Me. (movement 3)
(motion for kids to sit down)
Everybody sit down quietly
Everybody sit down quietly
Everybody sit down quietly
Everybody sit down just... like... me.
Our felt story today was "Old Macdonald Had a Farm." I used the farm animals from a large set of felt animals I found in our workroom, and had everyone sing the song with me as each one was revealed. Just like the call and response in "I Know a Chicken," it's important for pre-verbal kiddos to hear these songs before they're able to sing them themselves. And of course, making animal sounds is something pre-verbal toddlers can do very well.
Finally, we sang "One, Two Hands" and "Peek-a-Boo" before saying goodbye for the day.
I'll share my revelation about toddlers again on this post: Toddlers are not small preschoolers; they are big babies! (I want this slogan on a t-shirt). I have recently realized that toddlers, at my library defined as age 16-36 months, have much more in common with babies than they do with preschoolers. Toddlers are babies who can run away.
For this reason, in 2018 I am working on making Baby Lapsit and Toddler Time more similar to each other. I am using the same three hello songs in Baby Lapsit as I am for the toddlers, with some changes to the parent tips to acknowledge that the infants aren't quite as physically developed as the toddlers.
In Baby Lapsit, we now begin with an a cappella greeting song instead of one with recorded music. I changed it because I feel the baby and toddler age groups benefits the most from chanting and singing without musical accompaniment. Even though the kids may not be verbal yet, this makes it easier for their grownups to sing the songs to them at home.
Hello: "This Is the Way We Wave Hello"
(Wave both hands)
This is the way we wave hello,
Wave hello, wave hello.
This is the way we wave hello,
Hello, hello, hello!
(Clap hands to the beat)
This is the way we clap hello,
Clap hello, clap hello.
This is the way we clap hello,
Hello, hello, hello!
(Stamp feet to the beat)
This is the way we stamp hello,
Stamp hello, stamp hello.
This is the way we stamp hello,
Hello, hello, hello!
(Wave both hands)
This is the way we wave hello,
Wave hello, wave hello.
This is the way we wave hello,
Hello, hello, hello!
This video shows the melody we sing to, but it uses different lyrics.
The other two hello songs are the same as 2017. They are good for baby, toddler, and preschool audiences.
Warming Up Motor Skills: "Open, Shut Them"
On this song we do the movements described in the lyrics: open our hands, close our hands, clap three times, put our hands in our lap, creep our fingers up to our chin, and don't let them in our mouths.
Stretch: "Tall/Small"
This is a short, easy stretch the preschoolers get a kick out of. While we're stretching, I like to encourage them to reach for the ceiling, touch their toes, then make themselves into a tiny ball.
My parent tip: I make sure to emphasize that grownups and babies should stretch at whatever level they are currently operating on. The grownup can keep the baby on their lap and help them stretch their arms up. The grownup can stand themselves and hold they baby while they stretch. The grownup can balance the baby while the baby stands on the floor, and help them stretch there. Wherever both are most physically comfortable is where I encourage them to try this gentle stretch.
This is where the rest of the storytime comes in. And then...
Goodbye: "This Is the Way We Wave Goodbye"
Know what's great for tiny, developing brains? Repetition.
Know what's great for tiny, developing brains? Repetition.
(Typed it twice to make a point.)
I like to use "One, Two Hands" and "Peek-a-Boo" as an unofficial signal that the end of Baby Lapsit is coming. Added bonus, it's never too early to start naming body parts with this Laurie Berkner classic or figuring out object permanence by playing peekaboo.
Our goodbye song for Baby Lapsit and Toddler Time is now also a cappella, and a repeat of our new hello song. We just substitute "hello" for "goodbye." Doing this song twice per storytime gets the melody and movements in the kids' heads that much quicker. If they're not scream-singing "This is the way we blankety-blank" about everything they do for the rest of the week, I haven't done my job.
(Wave both hands)
This is the way we wave goodbye,
Wave goodbye, wave goodbye.
This is the way we wave goodbye,
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
(Clap hands to the beat)
This is the way we clap goodbye,
Clap goodbye, clap goodbye.
This is the way we clap goodbye,
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
(Stamp feet to the beat)
This is the way we stamp goodbye,
Stamp goodbye, stamp goodbye.
This is the way we stamp goodbye,
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
(Wave both hands)
This is the way we wave goodbye,
Wave goodbye, wave goodbye.
This is the way we wave hello,
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
Bubbles! "One Little, Two Little, Three Little Bubbles" and the Yo Gabba Gabba Bubbles Song
The last thing I do at every storytime is blow bubbles. The kids go crazy over them! The best part is when a baby sees bubbles for the first time. It blows their mind and they make the best face.
I play the same songs every time so they get to know that after we say goodbye, we have bubbles for the duration of two songs, and then storytime is over until next week. Our regulars know this is the way it always goes, which is a great introduction to establishing routines in other aspects of life as they grow.
Community Play Time Baby Lapsit is unique in that the families are encouraged to stay for 15-20 minutes after storytime for a special playtime. I bring out a bin of toys and play some quiet background music, and it's just a fun, unstructured play session where babies can socialize with other little beings close to their age, and caregivers can also chat with each other and make connections. I've seen many friendships and even play groups or preschool co-ops get started this way!
This program started out as a small idea, and morphed into a pretty big deal by the time it was planned and ready to go. I follow several "daily holiday" web pages that list all the local and national silly holidays, because this sometimes gives me program ideas. It's how I thought of Make a Grandparents Day Card, for example. A few months ago I noticed that National Pet Day was coming up in April. We had done dog toy making as a teen activity last summer and it went over pretty well, so I thought about combining that with a few other stations and having a National Pet Day celebration at the library.
Because the library is a city entity, I contacted the City of Mesa Animal Control Department to see if they had any advice, resources, or even a representative they could send out on the day of the program. They got really excited about the program, and said they would send one human representative from their department and at least one furry friend. Of course, the exciting idea of a dog or cat in the library got the community buzzing.
My mom also happens to be a professional dog toy maker. She knows the exact right size and type of fleece strips to make the perfect long-lasting tug toy. Luckily she was available to help, so she set up at a table and guided kids in braiding their colorful creations. At the end of the night, we had over 30 tug toys to donate to homeless dogs at Animal Control.
The best part was, the Animal Control department totally came through with their furry friends! Their rep brought three seven-week-old gray kittens! I'm a dog person, but the kittens were the best thing that has happened to me this year. Adorable.
In the end, we had an attendance count of 94 people! In my previous experience this is almost unheard of for a weekday evening program. The Vice Mayor of Mesa even stopped by and featured us on his Twitter, and Nearby News was back to photograph for another feature.
Also, enjoy these pictures I took during the event (with parent permission, of course). I especially love the action shot of the two kittens wrestling.
We're only a third of the way through 2018... I might as well share what I've been doing differently in our Toddler Time hello and goodbye since roughly January.
First of all, I have made an amazing discovery about the 16-36 month age group. They are not smaller preschoolers; they are bigger babies! Toddlers are basically infants with the ability to run away from you. For this reason, I have decided to disconnect my Toddler Time and Preschool Storytime activities, and instead more closely link Toddler Time and Baby Lapsit.
In Toddler Time, we now begin with an a cappella greeting song instead of one with recorded music. I changed it because I feel the toddler age group benefits the most from chanting and singing without musical accompaniment. It makes it easier to sing the songs with their grownups at home, and they'll remember the songs more if their voices are the only thing making the music.
Here is our *shiny and new* good morning song:
Hello: "This Is the Way We Wave Hello"
(Wave both hands)
This is the way we wave hello,
Wave hello, wave hello.
This is the way we wave hello,
Hello, hello, hello!
(Clap hands to the beat)
This is the way we clap hello,
Clap hello, clap hello.
This is the way we clap hello,
Hello, hello, hello!
(Stamp feet to the beat)
This is the way we stamp hello,
Stamp hello, stamp hello.
This is the way we stamp hello,
Hello, hello, hello!
(Wave both hands)
This is the way we wave hello,
Wave hello, wave hello.
This is the way we wave hello,
Hello, hello, hello!
This video shows the melody we sing to, but it uses different lyrics.
The other two hello songs are the same as 2017. They are good for both toddler and preschool audiences, and "Open, Shut Them" comes with a built-in parent tip.
Warming Up Motor Skills: "Open, Shut Them"
On this song we do the movements described in the lyrics: open our hands, close our hands, clap three times, put our hands in our lap, creep our fingers up to our chin, and don't let them in our mouths.
My parent tip: It's great to do a motor skill-strengthening exercise like this once a day with your toddler. You can make it fun with a game or a song, and it will help strengthen their muscles and help with coordination as their bodies and minds develop.
Stretch: "Tall/Small"
This is a short, easy stretch the preschoolers get a kick out of. While we're stretching, I like to encourage them to reach for the ceiling, touch their toes, then make themselves into a tiny ball.
This is where the rest of the storytime comes in. And then...
Goodbye: "This Is the Way We Wave Goodbye"
Know what's great for tiny, developing brains? Repetition.
Know what's great for tiny, developing brains? Repetition.
(Typed it twice to make a point.)
Our goodbye song for Toddler Time is now also a cappella, and a repeat of our new hello song. We just substitute "hello" for "goodbye." Doing this song twice per storytime gets the melody and movements in the kids' heads that much quicker. If they're not scream-singing "This is the way we blankety-blank" about everything they do for the rest of the week, I haven't done my job.
(Wave both hands)
This is the way we wave goodbye,
Wave goodbye, wave goodbye.
This is the way we wave goodbye,
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
(Clap hands to the beat)
This is the way we clap goodbye,
Clap goodbye, clap goodbye.
This is the way we clap goodbye,
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
(Stamp feet to the beat)
This is the way we stamp goodbye,
Stamp goodbye, stamp goodbye.
This is the way we stamp goodbye,
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
(Wave both hands)
This is the way we wave goodbye,
Wave goodbye, wave goodbye.
This is the way we wave hello,
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
Bubbles! "One Little, Two Little, Three Little Bubbles" and the Yo Gabba Gabba Bubbles Song
The last thing I do at every storytime is blow bubbles. The kids go crazy over them! I play the same songs every time so they get to know that after we say goodbye, we have bubbles for the duration of two songs, and then storytime is over until next week. Our regulars know this is the way it always goes, which is a great introduction to establishing routines in other aspects of life as they grow.
After our NEW usual hello, our first story at Toddler Time this morning was Green Lizards vs. Red Rectangles by Steve Antony. I have mixed feelings about this book for toddler storytime. The text density (words per page) are pretty spot-on for the two to three age group. I did notice by some grownups' faces that they didn't like how often words like "fight" and "war" come up. But, others were really enjoying it. I probably won't be using this book for storytime again, but it would be nice for one-on-one reads.
Our two movement songs today were "Clap Your Hands" and "One, Two Hands," because you can't practice naming your body parts enough.
To calm everyone down after our dance party and get ready to hear another story, I used the "Everybody Do This Just Like Me" chant. This one is interesting because you need to change up the movements often to keep the kids interested. The point is for them to watch your movements and try to follow what you do, instead of wiggling around. You might have to repeat the first verse 2 or more times. I wouldn't move on to "Everybody sit down" until the group is calm, listening, and ready to sit.
Everybody do this just like me (movement 1)
Everybody do this just like me (movement 2)
Everybody do this just like me (movement 3)
Everybody do this just... (movement 1)
Like... (movement 2)
Me. (movement 3)
(motion for kids to sit down)
Everybody sit down quietly
Everybody sit down quietly
Everybody sit down quietly
Everybody sit down just... like... me.
Our felt story today was "What's In the Pocket?" It involves six objects hiding behind six different colored pockets.
I had the pockets up on the felt board before storytime began so that no one knew what was under each one. Before we started, I explained to the kids that I would give them a clue that rhymed with the object's name. They had to listen to the rhyming word AND the clue to figure out what's in the pocket. Admittedly, this is more of a preschool concept and mostly the almost-kindergarten-ready older siblings got it. Naming the color of each pocket before I read the clues was more where our target Toddler Time audience was at, so I made sure to focus on that.
Our last movement song today was "The Freeze" by Greg and Steve. All the kids understood the concept for this one; dance when there's music, freeze when it stops.
Finally, it was time to say goodbyeuntil next time.
It's rhythm stick day again! The parents think it's hilarious when I make the preschoolers repeat my only rhythm stick rule, "Don't hit your friends." It is funny, but definitely gets the point across. Yay for perpetuating nonviolence!
After our simple two-song hello, we did the "Heckity Peckity" chant and counted the syllables in our names. I use a little bumblebee finger puppet when we do this, like she uses in the second video below. Before we start, I tell the kids my friend Bumble Bee really wants to meet each of them, but he's really shy, and he will only ask their names if we all say this rhyme together. Then, after we all say the first two lines, he buzzes up to children and asks them what their name is.
My with my friend Bumble Bee
Heckity peckity bumblebee, Won't you say your name for me? Bzzzzz (Bee buzzes up to a child and asks their name. Let's say it's Harold.) Everyone say Harold. (Group says name) Can we whisper it? (whisper the name) Can we do it on our legs? (Repeat name and pat thighs with each syllable) Can we clap it? (Repeat name and clap with each syllable) Now let's turn off our voice (Do a clicking motion with hand on throat and make clicking sound) And let's just clap it (Group claps the syllables without speaking) How many claps was that? (Group answers) Harold's name is two claps! Who is next?
Our movement song today was "Can't Sit Still" by Greg and Steve. I like this one because it's directed movement with built in naming of body parts. Plus, they throw in a surprise game of Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes during the bridge. There is no downside.
vid
Then we passed out the rhythm sticks ("Don't Hit Your Friends.")
Classroom management tip: I try to make the passing out of instruments as orderly as possible. Before handing out the sticks, I let the kids know that only those sitting down calmly will be given a pair. Except for the ones who don't yet understand full sentences, this works great.
After everyone had a pair of sticks we practiced hitting them together quickly, slowly, loudly, and quietly. We also hit them high above our heads, low by our feet, and hitting them on the ground. Then, I turned on "Tapping on My Sticks" and we followed the tapping directions in the song.
As orderly as the passing out of instruments has become, returning them is always a circus. I've stopped fighting it. They're so excited to be making noise and playing with toys at the same time, I just let them storm me all at once and drop their instruments back into the container as a mob.
We still had about five minutes left in the session, so I had time to play the extra movement song I'd included on my playlist just in case: "Milkshake!" This is one of my faves, and always a good get-the-wiggles-out song.
Finally, we sang our goodbye song and had bubbles.
Today was my first storytime after a three week leave! You might have noticed there are hardly any programs listed for March 2018. This is because I was gone most of the month for recovery from a much-needed surgery. I am now back and ready to get my storytime groove on!
After our usual introduction and hello songs, our first board book today was Llama Llama Easter Egg by Anna Dewdney. It is technically the week after Easter, but I never pass up a chance for 1) a cute Spring story or 2) Anna Dewdney.
And since it's been a while, here is Ludacris rapping Dewdney's original, Llama Llama Red Pajama.(For the record, I don't include this in storytime, but I love it so much in my other life as a childless adult who enjoys hip hop music.)
Next it was time for our lap bounce journey and it began, as always, with "Bumpy Road." I have a few regulars who have come to Baby Lapsit continuously since their babies were only a couple months old, and they know this chant by heart now. Grownups are instructed to seat their baby facing forward on their laps and bounce along with me as I demonstrate with a roughly baby-sized teddy bear. Here is the chant:
Bumpy road, bumpy road. (Bounce baby on lap) Smooth road, smooth road. (Move baby smoothly back and forth) Bumpy road, bumpy road. (Bounce baby on lap) Smooth road, smooth road. (Move baby smoothly back and forth) Rough road, rough road! (Bounce baby higher than before) Bumpy road, bumpy road. (Bounce baby on lap) Rough road, rough road! (Bounce baby higher than before) Hole! (Hold baby under armpits and let them fall between your legs)
The musical lap bounces were on the "pop" theme: "Pop Goes the Weasel" and "Popcorn" by Raffi. I like to do "Popcorn" twice through, because it's only about 30 seconds long. By the second time the grownups usually get the hang of when to bounce, when to sizzle, and when to POP!
Our second story was Peekaboo, Pierre by Florence Wetterwald. This little board book is great for grownup/child interactions. You can practice naming directions like up and down while looking for Pierre. It's also a great opportunity to practice counting to three, and playing peek-a-boo. It segued wonderfully into our Peek-a-Boo song later on in storytime.
Before saying goodbye, our final movement songs were my standby classics, "One, Two Hands" and "Peek-a-Boo."
Today's Baby Lapsit was only about 15 minutes long. Usually I aim more for the 25 minute mark before our 15-minute Community Playtime at the end. Today, since it was my first time back after a long absence, I kept it simple and we ended the entire session after almost exactly half an hour.
