Toddler Time 4-11-18

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.

This is the version of "Clap Your Hands" that I use.

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 goodbye until next time.