- Intro and hello
- Book
- Toddlers are basically babies who can run away from you, so I tend to look for books with no more than two lines of text per page. When they're that age, kids are still figuring out how books work, how you hold and treat them, and looking at the pictures. They will listen to the story and participate if the book has an interactive element, so anything that will keep them engaged verbally or physically is Toddlertime gold.
- Movement song
- This is the time for a longer movement song. Ideally one that corresponds to your theme, but that's not a requirement. Some themes just aren't compatible with music, and that's okay.
- Felt story
- My favorites are the ones where the kids have to help you chant, identify colors, count with you, or sing a song.
- Movement song(s)
- Depending on how much time we have, I'll use one 2-3 minute song or two that are under a minute long.
- Goodbye
- 10-15 minute toy time
- Toddler attention spans are short! In this storytime, I only plan 15-20 minutes of content because that's about as long as you can hold their attention. After that, we do a short community playtime with educational toys to give kids the opportunity to learn to play in a group, and parents the opportunity to meet and interact with one another.
Book
All for Pie, Pie for All by David Martin
This book didn't go over great with the toddlers, and I think it was because it's too long. I would probably paperclip some of the pages together to make it shorter if I used this book again. However, it is a very cute story about families of different sizes and species sharing pie together and definitely gets you in a Thanksgiving mood.
Movement Song
"Happy and You Know It" by Mr. Jon
Has nothing to do with the theme, just a fun song that most kids know.
Felt Story
"Five Little Turkeys"
[A good way to get kids involved is to ask them to help you count how many turkeys are left after each verse, and invite them to chant with you if they pick it up]
Five little turkeys at the barn door
One waddled off and then there were four
Four little turkeys out 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!
It's almost Thanksgiving Day!
[A good way to get kids involved is to ask them to help you count how many turkeys are left after each verse, and invite them to chant with you if they pick it up]
Five little turkeys at the barn door
One waddled off and then there were four
Four little turkeys out 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!
It's almost Thanksgiving Day!
Movement Songs
"Follow the Leader" by Ella Jenkins
Both of these songs have a strange hypnotizing effect on small children. Even if they're mid-tantrum, most littles will stop what they're doing and follow my motions until the song is over.
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