Librarian Lisa's Storytimes

Dog Storytime - Tales for Twos - 2/7/2012

2012-02-06T14:33:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip – In storytime we often use animal sounds or other fun noises. Toddlers experiment and play with sounds. If you play along with them as they play with sounds you’ll help motivate them to learn and use language. You can read more about toddlers, sounds and literacy from the Center for Early Literacy Learning at http://www.earlyliteracylearning.org/cellpract_pract/toddler/PGPrac_T_SoundsGood_WM.pdf.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Bark Park by Karen Gray Ruelle

This Old Man
This old man, he played one,
He played knick-knack on my thumb;
Knick-knack paddywhack,
Give a dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played two,
He played knick-knack on my shoe;
Knick-knack paddywhack,
Give a dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played three,
He played knick-knack on my knee;
Knick-knack paddywhack,
Give a dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

Book: Please Take Me For a Walk by Susan Gal

Five Little Puppies
Five little puppies were playing in the sun.
(hold up hands,fingers extended)
This one saw a rabbit, and he began to run. (bend down first finger)
This one saw a butterfly,and he began to race. (bend down secind finger)
This one saw a cat,and he began to chase. (bend down third finger)
This one tried to catch his tail,and he went round and round. (bend down fourth finger)
this one was so quiet,he never made a sound. (bend down thumb)

That Doggie in the Window?
How much is that doggie in the window? (Bark! Bark!)
The one with the waggly tail
How much is that doggie in the window? (Bark! Bark!)
I do hope that doggie's for sale!

Book: Yip! Snap! Yap! by Charles Fuge

“Blue Dog” from Hootenanny by Johnny Bregar – dance with shaker eggs

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Baby Storytime - February 6, 2012

2012-02-06T14:08:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: We’ve talked before about how important it is for babies to hear language. Studies have shown that listening to television or overhearing adults talking amongst themselves doesn’t have much benefit. The significant impact of language comes when adults are talking to babies face to face about the world around them.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book Break

Baa Baa Black Sheep
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!
One for my master, one for the dame,
One for the little child who lives down the lane.
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!

Baby’s Fingers
Where oh where are baby’s fingers? (touch fingers)
Where oh where are baby’s toes? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.
Where oh where are baby’s ears? (touch ears)
Where oh where is baby’s nose? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.

Book Break
Humpty Dumpty
(Bounce baby on your lap)
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Humpty Dumpty fell in a puddle,
Humpty Dumpty needs a BIG cuddle! (give a big cuddle!)

Kangaroo Brown
Jump! Jump! Kangaroo Brown (bounce baby or help toddler to jump)
Jump! Jump! Off to town
Jump! Jump! Up and down
Jump! Jump! Kangaroo Brown

Continue with
Hop!...
Leap!...

Book Break

This is the Way We…
This is the way we wash our face, wash our face, wash our face.
(rub scrunched scarf on face)
This is the way we wash our face,
So early in the morning.

---Wash our toes
---Wash our knees
---Wash our tummy

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Bath Time Storytime

2012-01-30T10:12:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip – Bathtime can be a great time to play with prewriting skills. Squeezing bubbles through fingers, making swirls with foaming bath bubbles or scribbling with bathtub crayons are all great prewriting experiences.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Animal Baths by Bob Barner

Sing a Song of Bathtubs (flannel board)
(to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
There’s a sailboat in the tub, in the tub.
There’s a sailboat in the tub, in the tub.
There’s a sailboat in the tub,
Rub-a-dub-a-dub-a-dub
There’s a sailboat in the tub, in the tub.
(continue with mermaid, duckie and diver) - idea by LeeAnn Collins

Book: Ten Dirty Pigs by Carol Roth

Elephants in the Bathtub (flannel board)
One elephant in a bathtub going for a swim.
Knock, knock (clap twice)
Splash, splash (slap legs twice)
Come on in. (motion with hands to come)
(continue with two, three, four…)
Five elephants in a bathtub going for a swim.
Knock, knock (clap twice)
Splash, splash (slap legs twice)
It all fell in.

Book: Bath Time by Jane E. Gerver

“Bathtime” from Everything Grows by Raffi (use scarves to dance and pretend scrubbing)

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Baby Storytime - Jan. 30, 2011

2012-01-30T10:10:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Did you know that hearing language actually changes the structure of babies’ brains? Language builds more connections between neurons in the brain. So the more you talk with your baby, the more connections she will have in her brain. (from Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy, Carol Edwards)

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book Break

Eensy Weensy Spider
The eensy weensy spider climbed up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried the rain away.
Then the eensy weensy spider climbed up the spout again.

Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth)
The mouse ran up the clock. (lift baby in the air.)
The clock struck one. (Bong! )
The mouse ran down. (lift baby down.)
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth.)

Book Break

Hugs, Bounces and Tickles (match actions to words)
Hug you here,
Hug you there,
Hug you, hug you –
Everywhere!

Bounce you here,
Bounce you there,
Bounce you, bounce you –
Everywhere!

Tickle you here,
Tickle you there,
Tickle you, tickle you –
Everywhere!

Kangaroo BrownJump! Jump! Kangaroo Brown (bounce baby or help toddler to jump)

Jump! Jump! Off to town
Jump! Jump! Up and down
Jump! Jump! Kangaroo Brown

Continue with
Hop!...
Leap!...

Book Break

Scarf Dance
Dance your scarves up
Dance your scarves down
Dance them to the side and
Dance them all around.
Dance them on your shoulders
Dance them on your head
Dance them on your tummy
And put them down to bed.

“Hush Little Baby” from Sharon, Lois & Bram Sing A-Z (dance with scarves)

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Cowboy Storytime - Tales for Twos

2012-01-23T09:12:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip – Play is one of the foundations of early literacy. Pretend play is especially important. Studies have shown a correlation between the amount of time children spend on “pretend play” and their literacy skills. Two-year-olds start pretending and will get more and more into pretend play during their preschool years. You can encourage pretending and have fun playing along. You and your child might want to pretend to be cowboys and ride horses. A chair or a broomstick make great pretend horses.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Ride ‘Em, Cowboy by Stefan Czernecki

“Giddyup!” from Giddyup! by Buck Howdy

Book: Hush Little Horsie by Jane Yolen

Neigh, Neigh Blue Horse (sing to the tune of “Baa Baa Black Sheep”)
(pictures or flannel of various color horses)
Neigh, neigh blue horse
Will you carry me?
Yes sir, yes sir, as far as you can see.
(sing with other colors)

Book: Tex by Dorie McCullough Lawson

“Hokey Pokey” from Giddyup! by Buck Howdy

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Baby Storytime - Jan. 23, 2011

2012-01-23T09:10:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Babies learn and explore with all of their senses. Babies will touch books, look at books, play with books and even taste books. Letting babies explore books helps them develop a love of books and reading.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book Break

Cheek, Chin
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Nose!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Toes!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Up Baby Goes!

Clap Clap Clap (Sing to Row Row Row Your Boat)
Clap clap clap your hands, clap them now with me.
Clap your hands, let me see,
Clap them now with me.
(Other verses)
Tap tap tap your knees…
Shake shake shake your feet
Touch touch touch your shoulders…

Book Break

Baby’s Hokey Pokey
Arms up, arms down, arms up
And wave them all around

Then tickle tickle wiggle giggle
Everybody knows
That’s how baby’s hokey pokey goes
Legs up, legs down, legs up
And kick them all around

Then tickle tickle wiggle giggle
Everybody knows
That’s how baby’s hokey pokey goes!

Baby’s FingersWhere oh where are baby’s fingers? (touch fingers)
Where oh where are baby’s toes? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.
Where oh where are baby’s ears? (touch ears)
Where oh where is baby’s nose? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.

Book Break

Put Your Egg on Your Head (tune “There’s a Spider on the Floor”)
Put your egg on your head, on your head.
Put your egg on your head, on your head.
Put your egg on your head
Put your egg on your head.
Put your egg on your head, on your head.
(continue with toes, tummy, etc.)

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Farm Storytime - Tales for Twos - Jan. 9, 2012

2012-01-09T11:08:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip – Children learn best when they feel safe and secure. The more you nurture you child the better he or she will learn. Have fun with your child. Cuddle up together to read. Give your child lots of hugs and kisses. All of the wonderful nurturing you do will help your child’s brain develop and grow.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: I Love Animals by Flora McDonnell

Old Macdonald had a farm
Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O
And on his farm he had a cow, E-I-E-I-O
With a "moo-moo" here and a "moo-moo" there
Here a "moo" there a "moo"
Everywhere a "moo-moo"
Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O
(continue with more animals)

Book: Spots Feathers and Curly Tails by Nancy Tafuri

“Six Little Ducks” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Barnyard Banter by Denise Fleming

Baa Baa Black Sheep
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!
One for my master, one for the dame,
One for the little child who lives down the lane.
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!

“Bumping Up and Down” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Birthday Party Storytime - Tales for Twos - Jan. 9, 2012

2012-01-09T11:06:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip – Having a pretend party with your child is a great way to expand your child’s imagination and language skills. Pretend play is one of the most important types of play for a child’s brain development. So, have fun – play and pretend.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Bear’s Birthday by Stella Blackstone

Yummy Cake!
Mix the batter, stir the batter,
Shake some flour in.
Mix the batter, stir the batter,
Pour it in a tin.
Then sprinkle little sprinkles on and
Put the batter in to bake.
Open up the oven door.
Out comes a Yummy Birthday Cake!

Book: Otto Has a Birthday Party by Todd Parr

Sing “Happy Birthday”

Birthday CandlesTune: “I’m A Little Teapot”
_____ little candles (Put birthday child’s age in blank)
Up on the cake.
It’s time to eat,
So don’t be late.
First we’ll light the candles,
Then we’ll blow,
Huff, huff, puff, puff,
Out they go!
Jean Warren © Warren Publishing

Book: One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Jane Cabrera

Hokey Pokey from Kidding Around by Greg & Steve

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Baby Storytime - January 9, 2012

2012-01-09T11:02:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Learning for babies - and really for all people - happens best in a fun, safe environment. The more you nurture your baby the more he or she will learn.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Wiggle Your Fingers and Toes
Show me how you clap your hands: Clap, Clap, Clap!
Show me how you tap your feet: Tap, Tap, Tap!
Wiggle your fingers and toes!

Show me how you nod your head: Nod, Nod, Nod!
Show me how your flap your arms: Flap, Flap, Flap!
Wiggle your fingers and toes!

Clap your hands.
Tap your feet.
Nod your head.
Flap your arms.
Wiggle your fingers and toes.

The Noble Duke of York (bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

Book Break

This is the Way the Lady Rides(Bounce child on lap, getting faster with each verse.)
This is the way the lady rides,
The lady rides, the lady rides,
This is the way the lady rides
So early in the morning.

This is the way the gentleman rides,
The gentleman rides, the gentleman rides,
This is the way the gentleman rides
So early in the morning.

This is the way the cowboy rides,
The cowboy rides, the cowboy rides,
This is the way the cowboy rides
So early in the morning.

Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth)
The mouse ran up the clock. (lift baby in the air.)
The clock struck one. (Bong!)
The mouse ran down. (lift baby down.)
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth.)

Book Break

Slowly, Slowly
Slowly, slowly, very slowly creeps the garden snail.
Slowly, slowly, very slowly up the garden rail.
(Walk hand very slowly up baby’s arm.)
Quickly, quickly, very quickly runs the little mouse.
Quickly, quickly, very quickly all around the house.
(Tickle baby’s tummy.)
Eensy Weensy Spider
The eensy weensy spider climbed up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried the rain away.
Then the eensy weensy spider climbed up the spout again.

Book Break

Scarf Dance
Dance your scarves up
Dance your scarves down
Dance them to the side and
Dance them all around.
Dance them on your shoulders
Dance them on your head
Dance them on your tummy
And put them down to bed.

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Snow Storytime - Tales for Twos - Dec. 19, 2011

2011-12-19T12:40:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip – There are five gifts you can give your child that will help your child become a great reader and learner. The gifts are: talking, singing, reading, writing and playing. Share these gifts with your child during the holidays and all through the year.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: In the Snow by Sharon Phillips Denslow

I'm a Little Snow Person(I'm a Little Teapot)
I'm a little snow person
Short and fat
Here are my buttons,
here is my hat.
When the sun comes out,
I cannot stay.
Slowly I just melt away.

Book: Hello, Snow! by Hope Vestergaard

Snowflakes are Falling (sing to “London Bridge” and wiggle your fingers to be “snowflakes”)
Snowflakes are falling down,
Falling down, falling down,
Snowflakes are falling down,
Cold and wet.

The Chubby Little Snowman (with flannel board)
A chubby little snowman
Had a carrot for a nose.
Along came a bunny
And what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny
Looking for some lunch
Ate that carrot nose
Munch, crunch, munch.

Book: No Two Alike by Keith Baker

Jingle Bells (with bells)
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Baby Storytime - Book Babies - December 19, 2011

2011-12-19T12:37:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: – There are five gifts you can give your child that will help your child become a great reader and learner. The gifts are: talking, singing, reading, writing and playing. Share these gifts with your child during the holidays and all through the year.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Baby’s Fingers
Where oh where are baby’s fingers? (touch fingers)
Where oh where are baby’s toes? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.
Where oh where are baby’s ears? (touch ears)
Where oh where is baby’s nose? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.

Book Break

Hugs, Bounces and Tickles (match actions to words)
Hug you here,
Hug you there,
Hug you, hug you –
Everywhere!

Bounce you here,
Bounce you there,
Bounce you, bounce you –
Everywhere!

Tickle you here,
Tickle you there,
Tickle you, tickle you –
Everywhere!

Baa Baa Black Sheep
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!
One for my master, one for the dame,
One for the little child who lives down the lane.
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!

Book Break

The Noble Duke of York (bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

Pat-a-Cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man (clap hands in rhythm)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it (roll hands around each other)
Pat it (clap hands together)
Mark it with a “B” (trace letter “B” on child)
And toss it in the oven for baby and me! (pretend to put in oven)

Book Break

Jingle Bells (with bells)
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

All About Babies Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-12-12T10:18:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip – On the display table today, I’ve put out a variety of wordless picture books. Looking at books without words is a great way to encourage talking. Using books without words is different than reading a traditional story. As you look at the pictures together you can talk about what you see and what might be happening. Books with no words are valuable in sparking conversation and storytelling.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Tummy Girl by Roseanne Thong

Ring Around the Rosie
Ring around the rosie,
A pocket full of posies,
Ashes, ashes,
We all fall down

Book: All of Baby Nose to Toes by Victoria Adler

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
And eyes, and ears, and mouth,
And nose. Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
(Place both hands on parts of body as they are mentioned.)

Book: The Babies on the Bus by Karen Katz

The Wheels on the Bus
The wheels on the bus go round and round
Round and round, round and round
The wheels on the bus go round and round
All through the town.
(continue with other verses)
The wipers on the bus go "Swish, swish, swish…”
The doors on the bus go “Open and closed…”
The baby on the bus says, "Wah, wah, wah…”
The people on the bus say, "Shh, shh, shh…”

“Hokey Pokey” from Kidding Around by Greg & Steve

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Baby Storytime - Dec. 12, 2011

2011-12-12T10:16:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Playing with your baby is one of the best things you can do to help your baby learn. When you play Peek-a-Boo or Pat-a-Cake with your baby he or she is making important brain connections. Babies and children learn best when things are fun and stress-free. Never force your baby to learn something, just play and have fun with your baby.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Cheek, Chin
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin, Nose!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin, Toes!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin, Up Baby Goes!

The Noble Duke of York (bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

Book Break

Slowly, Slowly
Slowly, slowly, very slowly creeps the garden snail.
Slowly, slowly, very slowly up the garden rail. (Walk hand very slowly up baby’s arm.)
Quickly, quickly, very quickly runs the little mouse.
Quickly, quickly, very quickly all around the house. (Tickle baby’s tummy.)

Row, Row, Row Your Boat (song)
(Face each other and rock back and forth)
Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.

Rock, rock, rock your boat
Gently to and fro (rock to the left and to the right)
Watch out! Give a shout, into the water you go! (roll over on back)

Row, row, row your boat
Down the jungle stream,
If you see a crocodile, don’t forget to scream! (scream)

Book Break

This is the Way the Lady Rides(Bounce child on lap, getting faster with each verse.)

This is the way the lady rides,
The lady rides, the lady rides,
This is the way the lady rides
So early in the morning.

This is the way the gentleman rides,
The gentleman rides, the gentleman rides,
This is the way the gentleman rides
So early in the morning.

This is the way the cowboy rides,
The cowboy rides, the cowboy rides,
This is the way the cowboy rides
So early in the morning.

Clap Clap Clap (Sing to Row Row Row Your Boat)
Clap clap clap your hands, clap them now with me.
Clap your hands, let me see,
Clap them know with me.
(Other verses)
Tap tap tap your knees…
Shake shake shake your feet
Touch touch touch your shoulders…

Book Break

Scarf Dance
Dance your scarves up
Dance your scarves down
Dance them to the side and
Dance them all around.
Dance them on your shoulders
Dance them on your head
Dance them on your tummy
And put them down to bed.

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Barnyard Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-12-05T10:09:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip – The books we are reading today all have repetition in the stories. One book repeats “Clip-clop, clippity clop” another repeats “Let’s go visiting. What do you say?” When books repeat phrases children learn what to expect and how the story is structured. As children get older they will see the pattern of the repetition on the page. Repetition is a great early literacy tool.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Farmyard Beat by Lindsey Craig and Marc Brown

Old Macdonald had a farm
Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O
And on his farm he had a cow, E-I-E-I-O
With a "moo-moo" here and a "moo-moo" there
Here a "moo" there a "moo"
Everywhere a "moo-moo"
Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O
(continue with more animals)

Book: Clip-Clop by Nicola Smee

“Six Little Ducks” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Let’s Go Visiting by Sue Williams

Five Little Ducks
Five little ducks
Went out one day
Over the hills and far away
Mother duck said
"Quack, quack, quack”
But only four little ducks came running back.

(continue with 4, 3, 2, 1, 0)
Then mother duck
said
"QUACK! QUACK! QUACK!
And five little ducks came running back.

“Bumping Up and Down” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Baby Storytime - Dec. 5, 2011

2011-12-05T10:05:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Babies aren’t ready to learn reading and writing but there are some fun things you can do to set the stage for later reading and writing. One fun activity is to trace letters on your baby’s tummy or back. This isn’t to have your baby to learn letters now, but to have your baby feel the lines and circles that make up the shapes of letters. Babies aren’t ready to learn the specifics of letters but exposure can set the stage for when they are older and are ready to learn letters.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Pat-a-Cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man (clap hands in rhythm)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it (roll hands around each other)
Pat it (clap hands together)
Mark it with a “B” (trace letter “B” on child)
And toss it in the oven for baby and me! (pretend to put in oven)

Book Break

The Noble Duke of York (bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

Kangaroo Brown
Jump! Jump! Kangaroo Brown (bounce baby or help toddler to jump)
Jump! Jump! Off to town
Jump! Jump! Up and down
Jump! Jump! Kangaroo Brown
(Continue with Hop!... Leap!...)

Book Break

Hugs, Bounces and Tickles (match actions to words)
Hug you here,
Hug you there,
Hug you, hug you –
Everywhere!

Bounce you here,
Bounce you there,
Bounce you, bounce you –
Everywhere!

Tickle you here,
Tickle you there,
Tickle you, tickle you –
Everywhere!

Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth)
The mouse ran up the clock. (lift baby in the air.)
The clock struck one. (Bong! )
The mouse ran down. (lift baby down.)
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth.)

Book Break

Put Your Egg on Your Head (tune “There’s a Spider on the Floor”)
Put your egg on your head, on your head.
Put your egg on your head, on your head.
Put your egg on your head
Put your egg on your head.
Put your egg on your head, on your head.
(continue with toes, tummy, etc.)

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Things That Go Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-11-28T10:23:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip – Books about cars, truck, planes and trains often have great sounds like “beep beep,” “zoom,” and “chugga chugga.” Sounds like these help your child learn the sounds of language and will help your child develop pre-reading skills. Whenever you can play with sounds with your child.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Honk Honk! Beep Beep! by Daniel Kirk

Driver Song (to the tune of Old MacDonald)
Dan the driver has car: beep, beep, beep, beep, beep
And on that car he has a horn: beep, beep, beep, beep, beep
With a beep, beep here and a beep, peep there,
here a beep, there a beep, everywhere a beep, beep
Dan the driver has car: beep, beep, beep, beep, beep

Pete the Pilot has a plane: zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom.
And on that plane there are some wings: zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom.
With a zoom, zoom, here, and a zoom, zoom there, here a zoom, there a zoom, everywhere a zoom, zoom.
Pete the Pilot has a plane: zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom.

The engineer has a train: chug, chug, chug, chug, chug.
And on that train he has a smokestack: chug, chug, chug, chug, chug.
With a chug, chug here and a chug, chug there,here a chug, there a chug, everywhere a chug, chug.
The engineer has a train: chug, chug, chug, chug, chug.

Book: Tip Tip Dig Dig by Emma Garcia

Construction Truck Song (sing to the tune of “Mulberry Bush”)
This is the way we scoop the dirt, scoop the dirt, scoop the dirt.
This is the way we scoop the dirt with a backhoe.

This is the way we dump the dirt, dump the dirt, dump the dirt.
This is the way we dump the dirt with a dump truck.

This is the way we roll the dirt, roll the dirt, roll the dirt.
This is the way we roll the dirt with a roller truck.

This is the way we scrape the dirt… with a grader.
This is the way we lift things up… with a crane.
This is the way we mix things up…with a mixer.

Book: On The Road by Susan Steggall

The Wheels on the Bus
The wheels on the bus go round and round
Round and round, round and round
The wheels on the bus go round and round
All through the town.
(continue with other verses)
The wipers on the bus go "Swish, swish, swish…”
The doors on the bus go “Open and closed…”
The baby on the bus says, "Wah, wah, wah…”
The people on the bus say, "Shh, shh, shh…”

“Bumping Up and Down” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Baby Storytime - Book Babies - Nov. 28, 2011

2011-11-28T10:17:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Children learn early literacy skills from infancy on. Early literacy is not teaching your child to read. Early literacy is developing skills that your child will need before he or she can become a reader. Children need to learn the sounds of language, the meaning of words, how books work and other skills before they start school. Parents and caregivers can give children experiences that will help them become good readers and learners.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Pat-a-Cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man (clap hands in rhythm)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it (roll hands around each other)
Pat it (clap hands together)
Mark it with a “B” (trace letter “B” on child)
And toss it in the oven for baby and me! (pretend to put in oven)

Cheek, Chin
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Nose!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Toes!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Up Baby Goes!

Book Break

Humpty Dumpty(Bounce baby on your lap)
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Humpty Dumpty fell in a puddle,
Humpty Dumpty needs a BIG cuddle! (give a big cuddle!

The Noble Duke of York (bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

Book Break

This is the Way We… (with scarves)
This is the way we wash our face, wash our face, wash our face.
(rub scrunched scarf on face)
This is the way we wash our face,
So early in the morning.

---Wash our toes
---Wash our knees
---Wash our tummy

Wind, Oh Wind (with scarves)
(Wave scarves from side to side as if in the wind)
Wind, oh wind, oh wind, I say,
What are you blowing around today?
Scarves, oh scarves, oh scarves I say.
I am blowing the scarves away!

Book Break

“Bumping Up and Down” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Favorites Storytime - Preschool

2011-11-25T09:05:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip – It’s great to read favorite stories over and over again. Repetition helps your child learn. Each time your child hears a story he or she notices new things. They also become more and more familiar with the structure and sequence of stories.

Come On In It’s Storytime(to the tune of London Bridge)
Come on in it’s storytime,
Storytime, storytime
Come on in it’s storytime
We’re happy that you’re here.

Sit right down for storytime,
Storytime, storytime
Sit right down for storytime
We’ll have a lot of fun

Settle in for storytime,
Storytime, storytime
Settle in for storytime
We’re ready to begin.

I Wiggle My Fingers
I wiggle my fingers,
I wiggle my toes.
I wiggle my arms,
I wiggle my nose.
I think that the wiggles
Are all out of me
Now I can sit down
And hear a story.

Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.

Music CD: “The Hokey Pokey” from Kidding Around by Greg & Steve

Book: How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen

Eensy Weensy Spider
The eensy weensy spider climbed up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried the rain away.
Then the eensy weensy spider climbed up the spout again.

This Old Man
This old man, he played one,
He played knick-knack on my thumb;
With a Knick-knack paddywhack,
Give a dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played two,
He played knick-knack on my shoe;…

This old man, he played three,
He played knick-knack on my knee; …

This old man, he played four,
He played knick-knack on my door;…

This old man, he played five,
He played knick-knack on my hive;…

This old man, he played six,
He played knick-knack on my sticks;…

This old man, he played seven,
He played knick-knack up in Heaven;…

This old man, he played eight,
He played knick-knack on my gate;…

This old man, he played nine,
He played knick-knack on my spine;…

This old man, he played ten,
He played knick-knack once again;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give a dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home

Book: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

The Wheels on the Bus
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
Round and round,
Round and round,
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
All through the town.

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Over, Wave Goodbye(tune of Happy And You Know It)
Storytime is over wave goodbye.
Our storytime is over wave goodbye.
Now storytime is done,
I hope you had lots of fun.
Our storytime is over wave goodbye.

Singing and Dancing Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-11-14T13:42:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip – Singing is one of the best ways to build a strong language foundation for your child. Books that you can sing to are great because the incorporate fun books and fun songs.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: The Croaky Pokey! by Ethan Long

Ring Around the Rosy
Ring around the rosy
A pocketful of posies
"Ashes, Ashes"
We all fall down!

Book: Dancing Feet! by Lindsey Craig

Scarf Dance
Dance your scarves up
Dance your scarves down
Dance them to the side and
Dance them all around.
Dance them on your shoulders
Dance them on your head
Dance them on your tummy
And put them down to bed.

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi (with scarves)

Book: Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush by Jane Cabrera

Circle dance to “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush”

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Baby Storytime - November 14, 2011

2011-11-14T13:28:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: We often do bounce rhymes in Book Babies. Bounce rhymes provide several positive experiences for babies. The steady beat with the whole body lets babies feel the rhythm of language with their bodies. The physical contact of an adult and baby also reinforces positive emotions. And bouncing is joyful and fun! The way you bounce a baby will change over time. When you bounce a young baby you will do it very gently and make sure the baby’s head is supported, as the baby gets older you can make the bounces bigger and bouncier but always remember to do what feels safe for your baby.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Hugs, Bounces and Tickles (match actions to words)
Hug you here,
Hug you there,
Hug you, hug you –
Everywhere!

Bounce you here,
Bounce you there,
Bounce you, bounce you –
Everywhere!

Tickle you here,
Tickle you there,
Tickle you, tickle you –
Everywhere!

ABC Song

Book Break

Humpty Dumpty(Bounce baby on your lap)
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Humpty Dumpty fell in a puddle,
Humpty Dumpty needs a BIG cuddle! (give a big cuddle!)

They’re a Part of Me (melody: “Wheels on the Bus”)
I can make my hands
Go clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap.
I can make my hands
Go clap, clap, clap.
They’re a part of me.

I can make my feet
Go stamp, stamp, stamp…
I can make my legs
Go hop, hop, hop…

Book Break

Kangaroo Brown
Jump! Jump! Kangaroo Brown (bounce baby or help toddler to jump)
Jump! Jump! Off to town
Jump! Jump! Up and down
Jump! Jump! Kangaroo Brown

Continue with
Hop!...
Leap!...

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Book Break

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Books by Cathy MacLennan Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-11-07T15:25:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip – The books we are reading today all play with sounds in interesting and fun ways. Books by Cathy MacLennan have lots of rhyming, rhythm and alliteration. Playing with word sounds is a great way to promote early literacy skills. Children need to be able to hear and distinguish word sounds before they can learn how to read. Have fun with word sounds like “skit…skit…scatter” and “Pitter, patter. Pit. Pit. Patter.”

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Chicky Chicky Chook Chook by Cathy MacLennan

Roly Poly, Roly Poly
Roly Poly, Roly Poly
All the way up. (roll hands up)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly
All the way down. (roll hands down)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly
Clap, clap, clap.
Roly Poly, Roly Poly
Put them in your lap.

Book: Bunny Bunny Catkin by Cathy MacLennan

Kangaroo Brown
Jump! Jump! Kangaroo Brown
Jump! Jump! Off to town
Jump! Jump! Up and down
Jump! Jump! Kangaroo Brown

Continue with
Hop!...
Leap!...

Peas Porridge Hot(clap hands in rhythm)
Peas porridge hot
Peas Porridge cold
Peas Porridge in the pot nine days old
Some like it hot
Some like it cold
Some like in the pot nine days old.

Book: Monkey Monkey Monkey by Cathy MacLennan

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Baby Storytime - Nov. 7, 2011

2011-11-07T15:22:00.000-08:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: When you read books with your baby, sometimes just talk about what you see on the page. You can expand your baby’s learning by pointing out what you see and talking about it.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Rickety Rickety Rocking Horse
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (bounce child on knees)
Over the fields we go.
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (gradually bounce faster)
Giddy up, giddy up
WHOA! (stop bouncing)

Book Break

Baa Baa Black Sheep
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!
One for my master, one for the dame,
One for the little child who lives down the lane.
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!

Kangaroo Brown
Jump! Jump! Kangaroo Brown (bounce baby or help toddler to jump)
Jump! Jump! Off to town
Jump! Jump! Up and down
Jump! Jump! Kangaroo Brown
(Continue with Hop!...Leap!...)

Book Break

Baby’s Fingers
Where oh where are baby’s fingers? (touch fingers)
Where oh where are baby’s toes? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.
Where oh where are baby’s ears? (touch ears)
Where oh where is baby’s nose? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.

Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth)
The mouse ran up the clock. (lift baby in the air.)
The clock struck one. (Bong! )
The mouse ran down. (lift baby down.)
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth.)

Book Break

There’s a Scarf (sing to “Spider on the Floor”)
There’s a scarf on my head, on my head.
There’s a scarf on my head, on my head.
There’s a scarf on my head, there’s a scarf on my head,
There’s a scarf on my head, on my head.
(continue with knees, toes, tummy etc.)

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Halloween Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-10-31T12:19:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip – Today I am dressed as Mother Goose. I’d just like to remind everyone that Mother Goose rhymes are an important part of your child’s early literacy. Mother Goose is old fashioned, but one of the reasons the rhymes have been around for centuries is that the rhymes are a great way to teach your child many early literacy skills. Children who know some Mother Goose rhymes before they start kindergarten are more likely to succeed in school.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Moonlight The Halloween Catby Melissa Sweet

The Owl Goes Hoo! (sing to “The Farmer in the Dell”)
The owl goes hoo. The owl goes hoo,
Hi ho the derrio the owl goes hoo.

The ghost goes Boo! The ghost goes Boo!
Hi Ho the derrio the ghost goes Boo!

Five Little Pumpkins
Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, “Oh, my its’ getting late!”
The second one said, “There are witches in the air.”
The third one said, “But we don’t care.”
The fourth one said, “Let’s run, let’s run!”
The fifth one said, “Isn’t Halloween fun?”
Then Wooooo went the wind
And OUT went the lights.
And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

“Monster Hoe Down” from Music Play Date by Disney

Book: If You’re A Monster and You Know It by Rebecca Emberly & Ed Emberly

Three Little Witches (with stick puppets)
One little, two little, three little witches
Fly over haystacks,
Fly over ditches,
Slide down moonbeams without any hitches,
Hi ho Halloweens here!

Trick or Treat Parade walk through the library and get candy at different desks.

Baby Storytime - October 31, 2011

2011-10-31T12:10:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Early Literacy Tip – Today I am dressed as Mother Goose. I’d just like to remind everyone that Mother Goose rhymes are an important part of your child’s early literacy. Mother Goose is old fashioned, but one of the reasons the rhymes have been around for centuries is that the rhymes are a great way to teach your child many early literacy skills. Children who know some Mother Goose rhymes before they start kindergarten are more likely to succeed in school.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Baa Baa Black Sheep(bounce your baby on your lap or clap)
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!
One for my master, one for the dame,
One for the little child who lives down the lane.
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!

Three Little Witches
(sway your baby back and forth)
One little, two little, three little witches
Fly over haystacks,
Fly over ditches,
Slide down moonbeams without any hitches,
Hi ho Halloweens here!

Book Break

The Owl Goes Hoo! (sing to “The Farmer in the Dell”)
(bounce baby on your lap)
The owl goes hoo. The owl goes hoo,
Hi ho the derrio the owl goes hoo.

The ghost goes Boo! The ghost goes Boo!
Hi Ho the derrio the ghost goes Boo!

Diddle Diddle Dumpling
Diddle diddle dumpling
My son John
(bicycle baby’s legs)
Went to bed
With his trousers on
One shoe off (pat foot)
One shoe on (pat other foot)
Diddle diddle dumpling
My son John
(bicycle baby’s legs)

Book Break

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Book Break
Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Trick or Treat Parade walk through the library and get candy at different desks.

Bedtime Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-10-27T14:50:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip – Singing a lullaby while holding your child and rocking together is a great way to help him relax. Knowing how to take time out and relax is very important. Sharing quiet moments with your child builds a relaxation routine for both of you. Next time your child has a temper tantrum, try rocking him to a lullaby and see how quickly he calms down. (from The Early Literacy Kit by Betsy Diamant-Cohen and Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting)

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Bedtime in the Jungle by John Butler

Ten in the Bed (song and flannel)
There were ten in the bed and the little one said,
"Roll over, roll over." (rolling motion)
So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were nine in the bed and the little one said,
"Roll over, roll over."
So they all rolled over and one fell out...
(This is repeated until you get to the number one.)
There was one in the bed and the little one said,
"Good night!"

Book: Princess Baby Night-Night by Karen Katz

Teddy Bear Teddy Bear
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Turn around.
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Touch the ground.
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Show your shoe.
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
That will do.
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Go to bed.
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Rest your head.
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Turn out the light.
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Say good night.

Book: Shhhhh! Everybody’s Sleeping by Julie Markes

“Hush Little Baby” from Sharon, Lois & Bram Sing A-Z (dance with scarves)

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Baby Storytime - Book Babies Oct. 24, 2011

2011-10-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Let your child take the lead when it comes to reading. If your baby doesn’t want to read a book, just set it aside and come back to it later. It’s best not to make reading a power struggle but rather to make it a pleasant experience that your baby will learn to love.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Pat-a-Cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man (clap hands in rhythm)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it (roll hands around each other)
Pat it (clap hands together)
Mark it with a “B” (trace letter “B” on child)
And toss it in the oven for baby and me! (pretend to put in oven)

ABC Song

Book Break

Kangaroo Brown
Jump! Jump! Kangaroo Brown (bounce baby or help toddler to jump)
Jump! Jump! Off to town
Jump! Jump! Up and down
Jump! Jump! Kangaroo Brown

Continue with
Hop!...
Leap!...

The Noble Duke of York
(bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

Book Break

Peas Porridge Hot
clap hands in rhythm)
Peas porridge hot
Peas Porridge cold
Peas Porridge in the pot nine days old
Some like it hot
Some like it cold
Some like in the pot nine days old.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat (song)
(Face each other and rock back and forth)
Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.
Rock, rock, rock your boat
Gently to and fro (rock to the left and to the right)
Watch out! Give a shout, into the water you go! (roll over on back)
Row, row, row your boat
Down the jungle stream,
If you see a crocodile, don’t forget to scream! (scream)

Book Break

“Shake Those Bells” from Kid’s Make Music, Babies Make Music, too.

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Owl Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-10-18T13:14:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip – We always do songs and music in our storytimes. Not only is it really fun to sing and dance, it’s also great for children’s brain development. Music develops listening skills that children need all through their lives. Singing also slows down the sounds of words, so children can hear the individual sounds that words are made up of.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Wow! Said the Owl by Tim Hopgood

There's a wide-eyed owl
There's a wide-eyed owl (circle your eyes with your hands)
With a pointed nose (make a beak with your fingers)
Two pointed ears (make ears with your fingers)
And claws for toes (wiggle your "claws")
He lives way up (point way up)
In the tree (way, way up)
And when he looks at you (point to children)
He flaps his wings (flap your wings)
And says, "Whoo! Whoo!" (keep flappin' till the owls come home)

Book: Owl Babies by Martin Waddell

If You’re an Owl and You Know It (sing to “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re an owl and you know it hoot like this “Hoot, Hoot”…
If you’re an owl and you know it flap your wings…
If you’re an owl and you know it blink your eyes…
If you’re an owl and you know it turn your head…

Ten Little Owls (sing to Ten Little Indian)
One Little, two little, three little owls,
Four little, five little, six little owls,
Seven little, eight little, nine little owls,
Ten owls fly and hoot!

Book: A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na

Owl from Hootenanny by Johnny Bregar – dance with shaker eggs

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies Storytime - Oct. 17, 2011

2011-10-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Later in the storytime we’re going to do a scarf song that focuses on different parts of the body. Songs that use body parts develop both gross motor skills and body self-awareness. And most of all scarf songs are fun! All learning is best when it’s playful and fun.

“The More We Get Together” by Raffi

Rickety Rickety Rocking Horse
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (bounce child on knees)
Over the fields we go.
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (gradually bounce faster)
Giddy up, giddy up
WHOA! (stop bouncing)

ABC Song

Book Break

Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth) The mouse ran up the clock. (lift baby in the air.) The clock struck one. (Bong! ) The mouse ran down. (lift baby down.) Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth.)

Baby’s Fingers
Where oh where are baby’s fingers? (touch fingers)
Where oh where are baby’s toes? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.
Where oh where are baby’s ears? (touch ears)
Where oh where is baby’s nose? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.

Book Break

Row, Row, Row Your Boat (song)
(Face each other and rock back and forth)
Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.

Rock, rock, rock your boat
Gently to and fro (rock to the left and to the right)
Watch out! Give a shout, into the water you go! (roll over on back)

Row, row, row your boat
Down the jungle stream,
If you see a crocodile, don’t forget to scream! (scream)

Book Break

The Noble Duke of York (bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

“Hush Little Baby” from Sharon, Lois & Bram Sing A-Z (dance with scarves)

There’s a Scarf (sing to “Spider on the Floor”)
There’s a scarf on my head, on my head.
There’s a scarf on my head, on my head.
There’s a scarf on my head, there’s a scarf on my head,
There’s a scarf on my head, on my head.
(continue with knees, toes, tummy etc.)

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving, Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you, It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Dog Storytime - Tales for Twos - Oct. 10, 2011

2011-10-10T10:16:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip – Every once in a while point out letters to your child. Two year olds are too young to know their letters, but it’s never too early point letters out and let your child get used to seeing them.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Show the letters D-O-G on the flannel board. Talk about dogs and show a stuffed dog.

Book: Dog Parade by Barbara Joosse

Six Little Dogs (Sung to the tune of Six Little Ducks)
Six little dogs that I once knew,
fat ones, skinny ones, fair ones too.
But the one little dog with the little black foot.
He led the others with a woof, woof, woof.
Woof, woof, woof.
Woof, woof, woof.
He led the others with a woof, woof, woof.

Book: Smooch your Pooch by Teddy Slater

Ten Little Puppies (sing to Ten Little Indians)
One little, two little, three little puppies,
Four little, five little, six little puppies,
Seven little, eight little, nine little puppies,
Ten puppies run and bark.

Book: That Pup! By Lindsay Barrett George

“Blue Dog” from Hootenanny by Johnny Bregar – dance with shaker eggs

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - Baby Storytime - Oct. 10, 2011

2011-10-10T10:13:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: We usually use either scarves or shaker eggs during Book Babies. Using props like these helps babies develop muscle skills and coordination. Scarves and eggs are really fun and they help your babies’ development too.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Wiggle Your Fingers and Toes
Show me how you clap your hands: Clap, Clap, Clap!
Show me how you tap your feet: Tap, Tap, Tap!
Wiggle your fingers and toes!

Show me how you nod your head: Nod, Nod, Nod!
Show me how your flap your arms: Flap, Flap, Flap!
Wiggle your fingers and toes!

Clap your hands.
Tap your feet.
Nod your head.
Flap your arms.
Wiggle your fingers and toes.

Book Break

Eensy Weensy Spider
The eensy weensy spider climbed up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried the rain away.
Then the eensy weensy spider climbed up the spout again.

Hugs, Bounces and Tickles (match actions to words)
Hug you here, Hug you there,
Hug you, hug you – Everywhere!

Bounce you here, Bounce you there,
Bounce you, bounce you – Everywhere!

Tickle you here,Tickle you there,
Tickle you, tickle you – Everywhere!

Book Break

Uncle John
Mother and father and Uncle John (bounce on knees)
Went to town one by one.
Mother fell off. (dip to one side)
Father fell off. (dip to other side)
But Uncle John went on and on and on. (bounce on knees)

Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth)
The mouse ran up the clock. (lift baby in the air.)
The clock struck one. (Bong! )
The mouse ran down. (lift baby down.)
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth.)

Book Break

Shake Your Eggs (with shaker eggs to the tune from “Shake Those Bells” from Kid’s Make Music, Babies Make Music, too.)
Shake your eggs and shake them high.
Shake your eggs and shake them low.
Shake your eggs and shake them high.
Shake your eggs around they go.

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Bill Martin Jr. Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-10-03T10:05:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip – Reading and writing go together. Writing helps children get ready to read. Encouraging your child to scribble and play with letters will help them develop literacy skills.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.

If You’re a _________ and You Know It (sing to If You’re Happy and You Know It)
If you’re a bear and you know it growl like this grrr, grr,
If you’re a bear and you know it growl like this grrr, grr,
If you’re a bear and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you’re a bear and you know it growl like this grr, grr.

Continue with other animals from the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

If you’re a bird and you know it cheep like this cheep, cheep…
If you’re a duck and you know it quack like this quack, quack…
If you’re a horse and you know it neigh like this neigh, neigh…
etc.

Book: Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr.

Ten Little Butterflies (song and flannel)
One little, two little, three little butterflies,
Four little, five little, six little butterflies,
Seven little, eight little, nine little butterflies,
Ten butterflies fly away.

Book: Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going to Sleep? by Bill Martin Jr.

“Hush Little Baby” from Sharon, Lois & Bram Sing A-Z (dance with scarves)

This is the Way We… (with scarves)
This is the way we wash our face, wash our face, wash our face.
(rub scrunched scarf on face)
This is the way we wash our face,
When we get ready for bed.

---Wash our toes
---Wash our knees
---Wash our tummy

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - Oct. 3, 2011

2011-10-03T10:01:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Babies learn and thrive on parentese. Parentese is the high pitched, sing song voice adults use when they talk to babies. In addition to loving the high pitched sounds of parentese, babies love to watch our faces when we talk. You can read more about parentese at http://www.pbs.org/parents/earlylearning/parentese.html.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Cheek, Chin
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Nose!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Toes!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Up Baby Goes!

Book Break

Eensy Weensy Spider
The eensy weensy spider climbed up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried the rain away.
Then the eensy weensy spider climbed up the spout again.

Hugs, Bounces and Tickles (match actions to words)
Hug you here, Hug you there,
Hug you, hug you – Everywhere!

Bounce you here, Bounce you there,
Bounce you, bounce you – Everywhere!

Tickle you here,Tickle you there,
Tickle you, tickle you – Everywhere!

Book Break

Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth)
The mouse ran up the clock. (lift baby in the air.)
The clock struck one. (Bong! )
The mouse ran down. (lift baby down.)
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth.)

Peas Porridge Hot(clap hands in rhythm)
Peas porridge hot
Peas Porridge cold
Peas Porridge in the pot nine days old
Some like it hot
Some like it cold
Some like in the pot nine days old.

Book Break

This is the Way We…
This is the way we wash our face, wash our face, wash our face.
(rub scrunched scarf on face)
This is the way we wash our face,
So early in the morning.

---Wash our toes
---Wash our knees
---Wash our tummy

Peek-a-Boo
Peek-a-boo, I see you
I see you hiding there.
Peek-a-boo, I see you
I see you hiding in there.
(Play peek-a-boo with scarves.)

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

I Like Me Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-09-26T10:02:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip – From ages 2-5, expect your child to ask many questions and learn to take turns speaking. Having conversations, listening, and following your child’s lead is one of the best ways to increase vocabulary and comprehension skills. This helps your child get ready to read. (www.everychildreadytoread.org)

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr

If You’re Happy and You Know It
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap)
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap)
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap clap)

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

If you're happy and you know it, shout "Hurray!" (hoo-ray!)
If you're happy and you know it, shout "Hurray!" (hoo-ray!)
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it
If you're happy and you know it, shout "Hurray!" (hoo-ray!)

If you're happy and you know it, do all three (clap-clap, stomp-stomp, hoo-ray!)
If you're happy and you know it, do all three (clap-clap, stomp-stomp, hoo-ray!)
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it
If you're happy and you know it, do all three. (clap-clap, stomp-stomp, hoo-ray!)

Book: Here Are My Hands by Bill Martin

Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.And eyes, and ears, and mouth,
And nose. Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
Knees and toes.

Book: My Nose, Your Nose by Melanie Wash

Clap Clap Clap (Sing to Row Row Row Your Boat)
Clap clap clap your hands, clap them now with me.
Clap your hands, let me see,
Clap them know with me.
(Other verses)
Tap tap tap your knees…
Shake shake shake your feet
Touch touch touch your shoulders…

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - Sept. 26, 2011

2011-09-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Learning to read doesn’t begin in school. It begins will all of your baby’s experiences and interactions with you. Listening to your voice, babbling and learning to talk are experiences that help your baby learn about language. These language skills lay the foundation for reading.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Hugs, Bounces and Tickles (match actions to words)
Hug you here,
Hug you there,
Hug you, hug you –
Everywhere!

Bounce you here,
Bounce you there,
Bounce you, bounce you –
Everywhere!

Tickle you here,
Tickle you there,
Tickle you, tickle you –
Everywhere!

Book Break

Clap Clap Clap (Sing to Row Row Row Your Boat)
Clap clap clap your hands, clap them now with me.
Clap your hands, let me see,
Clap them know with me.
(Other verses)
Tap tap tap your knees…
Shake shake shake your feet
Touch touch touch your shoulders…

Baby’s Fingers
Where oh where are baby’s fingers? (touch fingers)
Where oh where are baby’s toes? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.
Where oh where are baby’s ears? (touch ears)
Where oh where is baby’s nose? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.

Book Break

Humpty Dumpty(Bounce baby on your lap)
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Humpty Dumpty fell in a puddle,
Humpty Dumpty needs a BIG cuddle! (give a big cuddle!)

“Shake Those Bells” from Kid’s Make Music, Babies Make Music, too.

Book Break

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Fish Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-09-19T12:16:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip – Researchers have identified five activities that are especially important for parents and caregivers to do with young children that help children get ready for reading. These five activities are talking, singing, reading, writing and playing. We’ll be talking more about these fun things to do in our upcoming storytimes.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Show and talk about various fish toys.

Book: Giant Pop-Out Ocean

Looby Loo
Here we go looby loo,
Here we go looby light;
Here we go looby loo,
All on a Saturday night!

You put your right hand in,
You take your right hand out;
You give your right hand a shake, shake, shake,
And turn yourself about!

Here we go looby loo,
Here we go looby light;
Here we go looby loo,
All on a Saturday night!

(continue with left hand, right foot, left foot, whole body)

Book: Rub-a-Dub Sub by Linda Ashman

Slippery Fish
Slippery fish, slippery fish, sliding through the water,
Slippery fish, slippery fish, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!
Oh, no! It’s been eaten by an …

Octopus, octopus, squiggling in the water
Octopus, octopus, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!
Oh, no! It’s been eaten by a …

Great white shark, great white shark, lurking in the water,
Great white shark, great white shark, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!
Burp!

Book: Hooray for Fish! By Lucy Cousins

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Bubble Machine and music

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - Sept. 19, 2011

2011-09-19T12:11:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: There are five wonderful, fun activities that will help your baby become a great reader someday. These activities are talking, singing, reading, writing and playing. We’ll be talking more about these activities in weeks to come.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Baby’s Fingers
Where oh where are baby’s fingers? (touch fingers)
Where oh where are baby’s toes? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.
Where oh where are baby’s ears? (touch ears)
Where oh where is baby’s nose? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.

Baa Baa Black Sheep
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!
One for my master, one for the dame,
One for the little child who lives down the lane.
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!

Book Break

Clap Clap Clap (Sing to Row Row Row Your Boat)
Clap clap clap your hands, clap them now with me.
Clap your hands, let me see,
Clap them know with me.
(Other verses)
Tap tap tap your knees…
Shake shake shake your feet
Touch touch touch your shoulders…

Humpty Dumpty
(Bounce baby on your lap)
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Humpty Dumpty fell in a puddle,
Humpty Dumpty needs a BIG cuddle! (give a big cuddle!)

Book Break

This is the Way We…
This is the way we wash our face, wash our face, wash our face.
(rub scrunched scarf on face)
This is the way we wash our face,
So early in the morning.

---Wash our toes
---Wash our knees
---Wash our tummy

Wind, Oh Wind(Wave scarves from side to side as if in the wind)
Wind, oh wind, oh wind, I say,
What are you blowing around today?
Scarves, oh scarves, oh scarves I say.
I am blowing the scarves away!

Book Break

“Bumping Up and Down” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Cookie Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-08-29T13:33:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip – Talk about the names of favorite cookies such as “oreo, gingerbread, snickerdoodle, chocolate chip” - sound out the different parts of the word “or – e—o”, or “gin-ger-bread” – clap while saying them separately and then together again, first slowly and then faster. (from http://www.perrypubliclibrary.org/Kids/Programs/Storytimes/cookies.pdf)

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff

Making Cookies
I am making cookie dough
Round and round the beaters go
(make round and round motion)
Add some flour from a cup
(pretend to pour)
Stir and stir the batter up
(pretend to stir)
Roll them, and cut them, nice and neat
(roll hands, pretend to cut)
Put them on a cookie sheet
(pretend to lay out cookies)
Bake them and count them 123
(count with fingers)
and serve them to your friends for tea!

Book: The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins

Five Little Cookies (a counting rhyme)
Five little cookies in the bakery shop.
Soft and yummy with the chocolate chips on top.
Along comes (child's name) with a quarter to pay.
He/she buys a cookie and takes it away.
(continue with four, three, two and one).

If You Like Cookies and You Know It (If You’re Happy and You Know It)
If you like cookies and you know it clap your 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.
Also: …stomp your feet…
…shout hooray…

Book: Who Ate All the Cookie Dough? By Karen Beaumont

"C is for Cookie" from Platinum all-time favorites (Sesame Street)

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - Aug. 29, 2011

2011-08-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Keep photo albums or scrapbooks of family events. As you look through them with your baby, tell the story of what happened using a beginning, middle and end. (from http://read.denverlibrary.org/baby_narr.html)

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Rickety Rickety Rocking Horse
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (bounce child on knees)
Over the fields we go.
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (gradually bounce faster)
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up,
WHOA! (stop bouncing)

ABC Song

Book Break

Pat-a-Cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man (clap hands in rhythm)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it (roll hands around each other)
Pat it (clap hands together)
Mark it with a “B” (trace letter “B” on child)
And toss it in the oven for baby and me! (pretend to put in oven)

The Noble Duke of York
(bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

Book Break

Cheek, Chin
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Nose!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Toes!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Up Baby Goes!

Baby’s Hokey Pokey
Arms up, arms down, arms up
And wave them all around
Then tickle tickle wiggle giggle
Everybody knows
That’s how baby’s hokey pokey goes
Legs up, legs down, legs up
And kick them all around
Then tickle tickle wiggle giggle
Everybody knows
That’s how baby’s hokey pokey goes!

Book Break

Shake Your Eggs (using Shaker Eggs)
Shake your eggs and shake them high.
Shake your eggs and shake them low.
Shake your eggs and shake them high.
Shake your eggs around you go.

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Bug Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-08-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip – The books that we are going to read today reinforce two important skills; phonological awareness, which is learning the sounds of words and vocabulary which is the meaning of words. From the book I Love Bugs by Emma Dodd comes this phrase: “I love flouncy frilly flutter bugs and silly clitter clutter bugs.” Some of these words will be new to your child and reading them will increase your child’s vocabulary. The rhythm and rhyme of the text helps children hear the sounds of language. Have fun and enjoy the sounds of language with your child.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: I Love Bugs by Emma Dodd

If You’re a Bug and You
If You’re A Bee and You Know It Buzz Like This: Buzz! Buzz!
If You’re A Bee and You Know It Buzz Like This: Buzz! Buzz!
If You’re A Bee and You Know It and You Really Want to Show It
If You’re A Bee and You Know It Buzz Like This: Buzz! Buzz!

Also … Grasshopper… Hop
… Butterfly…Flap Your Wings

Five Little Ladybugs – flannel rhyme
Five little ladybugs on our front door, (hold up five fingers)
One flew to Isaac, and then there were four. (hold up four fingers)
Four little ladybugs, oh so wee,
One flew to Dad, and then there were three. (hold up three fingers)
Three little ladybugs saying “howdy-do,”
One flew to Brian, and then there were two. (hold up two fingers)
Two little ladybugs snoozing in the sun,
One flew to Sarah, and then there was one (hold up one finger)
One little ladybug alone on the door,
It flew to Mom, then there were no more. (bend down last finger)

Book: Beetle Bop by Denise Fleming

“Dancing Spider” from Animal Tower by Little Laughs Music

Book: Eeensy Weensy Spider by Penny Dann

Eeensy Weensy Spider song
Also: Great Big Giant Spider

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - Aug. 22, 2011

2011-08-22T09:58:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: If your fluent language is not English, speak to your baby in the language that you are fluent in. This allows you to use a larger vocabulary than you might be able to use in English. http://read.denverlibrary.org/baby_vocab.html

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Hugs, Bounces and Tickles (match actions to words)
Hug you here,
Hug you there,
Hug you, hug you –
Everywhere!

Bounce you here,
Bounce you there,
Bounce you, bounce you –
Everywhere!

Tickle you here,
Tickle you there,
Tickle you, tickle you –
Everywhere!

ABC Song

Book Break

Row, Row, Row Your Boat (song)
(Face each other and rock back and forth)
Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.

Rock, rock, rock your boat
Gently to and fro (rock to the left and to the right)
Watch out! Give a shout, into the water you go! (roll over on back)

Row, row, row your boat
Down the jungle stream,
If you see a crocodile, don’t forget to scream! (scream)

Pat-a-Cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man (clap hands in rhythm)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it (roll hands around each other)
Pat it (clap hands together)
Mark it with a “B” (trace letter “B” on child)
And toss it in the oven for baby and me! (pretend to put in oven)

Book Break

Rickety Rickety Rocking Horse
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (bounce child on knees)
Over the fields we go.
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (gradually bounce faster)
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up,
WHOA! (stop bouncing)

Slowly, Slowly
Slowly, slowly, very slowly creeps the garden snail.
Slowly, slowly, very slowly up the garden rail.
(Walk hand very slowly up baby’s arm.)
Quickly, quickly, very quickly runs the little mouse.
Quickly, quickly, very quickly all around the house.
(Tickle baby’s tummy.)

Book Break

Scarf Dance
Dance your scarves up
Dance your scarves down
Dance them to the side and
Dance them all around.
Dance them on your shoulders
Dance them on your head
Dance them on your tummy
And put them down to bed.

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Dinosaur Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-08-15T10:12:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip – Take your child’s cue and learn what your child really enjoys. Try to read books about your child’s favorite interests or characters.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: I’m a Tyrannosaurus by Anna Grossnickle Hines

If You’re a Dinosaur
If You’re a Dinosaur and you know it roar like this: Roar! Roar!
If You’re a Dinosaur and you know it roar like this: Roar! Roar!
If You’re a Dinosaur and you know it and you really want to show it
If You’re a Dinosaur and you know it roar like this: Roar! Roar!

Also …stomp like this…

Book: How do Dinosaurs say Good Night? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

One Little Two Little Three Little Dinosaurs
One little, two little, three little dinosaurs
Four little, five little, six little dinosaurs,
Seven little, eight little, nine little dinosaurs
Ten dinosaurs go Roar!

Dinosaur Song(to the tune Farmer in the Dell)
We’re stomping our feet, we’re stomping our feet,
We’re stomping like dinosaurs, we’re stomping our feet.

We’re running really fast…
We’re roaring really loud…

Book: Dinosaur vs. The Potty by Bob Shea

“Beanbag Boogie” from Kids in Motion by Greg & Steve

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - August 15,2011

2011-08-15T10:06:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Babies have short attention spans, and enjoy repeating favorite activities. You can share favorites often and for short amounts of time throughout the day. To learn more log onto http://read.denverlibrary.org/.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Cheek, Chin
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Nose!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Toes!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Up Baby Goes!

Book Break

Hugs, Bounces and Tickles
Hug you here,
Hug you there,
Hug you, hug you –
Everywhere!

Bounce you here,
Bounce you there,
Bounce you, bounce you –
Everywhere!

Tickle you here,
Tickle you there,
Tickle you, tickle you –
Everywhere!

Row, Row, Row Your Boat
(Face each other and rock back and forth)
Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.

Rock, rock, rock your boat
Gently to and fro (rock to the left and to the right)
Watch out! Give a shout, into the water you go! (roll over on back)

Row, row, row your boat
Down the jungle stream,
If you see a crocodile, don’t forget to scream! (scream)

Book Break

Humpty Dumpty
(Bounce baby on your lap)
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Humpty Dumpty fell in a puddle,
Humpty Dumpty needs a BIG cuddle! (give a big cuddle!)

Eensy Weensy Spider

Book Break

Scarf Dance
Dance your scarves up
Dance your scarves down
Dance them to the side and
Dance them all around.
Dance them on your shoulders
Dance them on your head
Dance them on your tummy
And put them down to bed.

“Hush Little Baby” from Sharon, Lois & Bram Sing A-Z (dance with scarves)

Storytime is Done
(sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Bounce, Stretch & Wiggle Storytime

2011-08-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip – One of the most important things you can do to help your child become a reader is to create a love of books. Today we are going to read some silly books, just to make reading fun!

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Bounce by Doreen Cronin

If You’re Happy and You Know It Bounce
If you’re happy and you know it bounce like this: Bounce! Bounce!
If you’re happy and you know it bounce like this: Bounce! Bounce!
If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it bounce like this: Bounce! Bounce!

Also: …Stretch…
…Wiggle…

Book: Stretch by Doreen Cronin

Stretch
Stretch up high
Stretch down low
Stretch up on tip-toes
Stretch down to your toes
Stretch and stretch how far can you go?

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

Book: Wiggle by Doreen Cronin

“Shake Those Bells” from Kid’s Make Music, Babies Make Music, too.

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - August 8, 2011

2011-08-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Hold a book up-side-down and see if the baby knows it has to be turned. This is one of the steps along the way to print awareness. Your baby will learn how books work.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

The Noble Duke of York (bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

Eensy Weensy Spider

Book Break

Slowly, Slowly
Slowly, slowly, very slowly creeps the garden snail.
Slowly, slowly, very slowly up the garden rail.
(Walk hand very slowly up baby’s arm.)
Quickly, quickly, very quickly runs the little mouse.
Quickly, quickly, very quickly all around the house.
(Tickle baby’s tummy.)

Row, Row, Row Your Boat (song)
(Face each other and rock back and forth)
Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.

Rock, rock, rock your boat
Gently to and fro (rock to the left and to the right)
Watch out! Give a shout, into the water you go! (roll over on back)

Row, row, row your boat
Down the jungle stream,
If you see a crocodile, don’t forget to scream! (scream)

Book Break

Baby’s Hokey Pokey
Arms up, arms down, arms up
And wave them all around
Then tickle tickle wiggle giggle
Everybody knows
That’s how baby’s hokey pokey goes
Legs up, legs down, legs up
And kick them all around
Then tickle tickle wiggle giggle
Everybody knows
That’s how baby’s hokey pokey goes!

Baby’s Fingers
Where oh where are baby’s fingers? (touch fingers)
Where oh where are baby’s toes? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.
Where oh where are baby’s ears? (touch ears)
Where oh where is baby’s nose? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.

Book Break

Scarf Dance
Dance your scarves up
Dance your scarves down
Dance them to the side and
Dance them all around.
Dance them on your shoulders
Dance them on your head
Dance them on your tummy
And put them down to bed.

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Shapes Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-08-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Early Literacy Tip – Learning shapes is a precursor to learning letters. Letters are made out of shapes and lines, so as your child learns his or her shapes, you can feel good that your child will one day learn his or her letters.

Book: Giant Pop-Out Shapes

Shapes
I am Suzy Circle.
I'm happy as can be.
I go round and round.
Can you see?

Sammy Square is my name.
My four sides are just the same.
Turn me around, I don't care.
I'm always the same.
I'm Sammy Square.

I'm Tommy Triangle.
Look at me!
Count my sides.
One, two, three.

Book: Around the Park: A Book About Circles by Christianne Jones

Show a variety of everyday objects and talk about their shapes.

“Beanbag Boogie” from Kids in Motion by Greg & Steve

Shapes Song (sing to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus”)
A circle is a shape that goes round and round,
Round and round, round and round.
A circle is a shape that goes round and round,
Round and round.

A triangle is a shape with three sides,
Three sides, three sides.
A triangle is a shape with three sides,
Three sides.

A square is a shape with four sides,
Four sides, four sides,
A square is a shape with four sides,
Four sides.

Book: Flaptastic Shapes (DK Publishing)

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - Aug. 1, 2011

2011-08-03T15:51:00.001-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: As your baby is starting to talk you can help your baby by expanding on what he or she is saying. For example if your child says "juice" you can say, "Do you want some apple juice? The apple juice is cold and sweet.”

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi
The Noble Duke of York (bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

ABC Song

Book Break

Slowly, Slowly
Slowly, slowly, very slowly creeps the garden snail.
Slowly, slowly, very slowly up the garden rail.
(Walk hand very slowly up baby’s arm.)
Quickly, quickly, very quickly runs the little mouse.
Quickly, quickly, very quickly all around the house.
(Tickle baby’s tummy.)

Uncle John
Mother and father and Uncle John (bounce on knees)
Went to town one by one.
Mother fell off. (dip to one side)
Father fell off. (dip to other side)
But Uncle John went on and on and on. (bounce on knees)

Book Break

Shake Your Eggs (using Shaker Eggs)
Shake your eggs and shake them high.
Shake your eggs and shake them low.
Shake your eggs and shake them high.
Shake your eggs around you go.

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Book Break

Baby’s Hokey Pokey
Arms up, arms down, arms up
And wave them all around

Then tickle tickle wiggle giggle
Everybody knows
That’s how baby’s hokey pokey goes

Legs up, legs down, legs up
And kick them all around
Then tickle tickle wiggle giggle
Everybody knows
That’s how baby’s hokey pokey goes!

Baby’s Fingers
Where oh where are baby’s fingers? (touch fingers)
Where oh where are baby’s toes? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.
Where oh where are baby’s ears? (touch ears)
Where oh where is baby’s nose? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Book Babies - July 25, 2011

2011-07-25T10:52:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Every once in a while as you read a book with your baby point to a word or a phrase. Very gradually over time your young child will begin to associate the print on a page as a spoken word.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi
Slowly, Slowly
Slowly, slowly, very slowly creeps the garden snail.
Slowly, slowly, very slowly up the garden rail.
(Walk hand very slowly up baby’s arm.)
Quickly, quickly, very quickly runs the little mouse.
Quickly, quickly, very quickly all around the house.
(Tickle baby’s tummy.)

ABC Song

Book Break

The Noble Duke of York (bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

Cheek, Chin
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Nose!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Toes!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Up Baby Goes!

Book Break

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Rickety Rickety Rocking Horse
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (bounce child on knees)
Over the fields we go.
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (gradually bounce faster)
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up,
WHOA! (stop bouncing)

Book Break

Pat-a-Cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man (clap hands in rhythm)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it (roll hands around each other)
Pat it (clap hands together)
Mark it with a “B” (trace letter “B” on child)
And toss it in the oven for baby and me! (pretend to put in oven)

Uncle JohnMother and father and Uncle John (bounce on knees)
Went to town one by one.
Mother fell off. (dip to one side)
Father fell off. (dip to other side)
But Uncle John went on and on and on. (bounce on knees)

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Color Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-07-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip – When you are reading to your child, sometimes run your finger under the words as you read them. This helps your child learn how print works. They learn that print equates to words and they gradually learn how print in the English language works – from left to right and from top to bottom.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Hello Everybody Color Song
Hello everybody how do you do?
How do you do? How do you do?
Hello everybody how do you do?
It’s nice to see you today.

If you have blue on, stand up. Sit down.
If you have red on, stand up. Sit down.
If you have pink, on stand up. Sit down.
If you have black on, stand up. Sit down.

Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle

Color Food Song (sing to “The Wheels on the Bus” tune)
(show apple)
The apples that we eat are red, red ,red,
Red, red, red,
Red, red, red.
The apples that we eat are red, red ,red,
And they taste so good.

(show carrots)
The carrots that we eat are orange, orange, orange,
Orange, orange, orange,
Orange, orange, orange,
The carrots that we eat are orange, orange, orange,
And they taste so good.

Also:
…lemons…yellow…
…potatoes…brown…
…peppers…green…

Book: Where Is The Green Sheep? By Mem Fox

If You Like Colors (song and actions like “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you like colors and you know it clap your hands,
If you like colors and you know it clap your hands,
If you like colors and you know it and you really want to show it.
If you like colors and you know it clap your hands.

Book: Freight Train by Donald Crews

“Shake Those Bells” from Kid’s Make Music, Babies Make Music, too.

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - July 18, 2011

2011-07-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Explain to your child the things you are doing as you are doing them (for example, “Look! I’m answering the phone – let’s see who it is!”). The more you talk with your child, the richer your child's vocabulary will be. (http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/libtmpl.asp?url=/content/libraries/earlyliteracy/babytips.asp)

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Hugs, Bounces and Tickles (match actions to words)
Hug you here,
Hug you there,
Hug you, hug you –
Everywhere!

Bounce you here,
Bounce you there,
Bounce you, bounce you –
Everywhere!

Tickle you here,
Tickle you there,
Tickle you, tickle you –
Everywhere!

Book Break

Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth)
The mouse ran up the clock. (lift baby in the air.)
The clock struck one. (Bong! )
The mouse ran down. (lift baby down.)
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth.)

Humpty Dumpty(Bounce baby on your lap)
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Humpty Dumpty fell in a puddle,
Humpty Dumpty needs a BIG cuddle! (give a big cuddle!

Book Break

“Bumping Up and Down” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Diddle Diddle Dumpling
Diddle diddle dumpling
My son John
(bicycle baby’s legs)
Went to bed
With his trousers on
One shoe off (pat foot)
One shoe on (pat other foot)
Diddle diddle dumpling
My son John
(bicycle baby’s legs)

Book Break

Wind, Oh Wind
(Wave scarves from side to side as if in the wind)
Wind, oh wind, oh wind, I say,
What are you blowing around today?
Scarves, oh scarves, oh scarves I say.
I am blowing the scarves away!

Peek-a-Boo
Peek-a-boo, I see you
I see you hiding there.
Peek-a-boo, I see you
I see you hiding in there.
(Play peek-a-boo with scarves.)

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

By the Pond Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-07-18T10:04:00.000-07:00

By the Pond

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Early Literacy Tip – Today we are going to share some nonfiction books. Nonfiction books are great ways to expand your child’s vocabulary. But when you combine nonfiction books with real experience the benefits are even greater. Try to find a nearby pond and go exploring together. Talk about what you see. Experiences develop your child’s vocabulary and understanding of the word. This will greatly enhance your child’s reading comprehension someday.

Book: In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming

The Frog on the Log
There once was a green
Little frog, frog, frog -
Who played in the wood
On a log, log, log!
A screech owl sitting
In a tree, tree, tree -
Came after the frog
with a scree, scree, scree!
When the frog heard the owl -
In a flash, flash, flash -
He leaped in the pond
With a splash, splash, splash

Jump like frogs.

I Can JUMP!
I can jump, jump, jump
I can hop, hop, hop
I can clap, clap, clap
I can STOP!
I can nod my head yes,
I can shake my head no,
I can bend my knees,
and sit down just so.

Book: Looking Closely Around the Pond by Frank Serafini (simplify for twos)

Five Little Ducks
Five little ducks
Went out one day
Over the hills and far away
Mother duck said
"Quack, quack, quack”
But only four little ducks came running back.

(continue with 4, 3, 2, 1, 0)
Then mother duck
said
"QUACK! QUACK! QUACK!
And five little ducks came running back.

Book: Giant Pop-Out Bugs

If You’re a Bug and You Know It
If you’re a bee and you know it buzz like this “buzz, buzz”
If you’re a bee and you know it buzz like this “buzz, buzz”
If you’re a bee and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you’re a bee and you know it buzz like this “buzz, buzz”

Also:
If you’re a grasshopper…hop like this…
If you’re a caterpillar… eat a leaf “chomp, chomp”…
If you’re a butterfly … flap your wing…

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Yummy Food Storyime - Tales for Twos

2011-07-12T08:55:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip – Cooking is a great time to talk to your two-year and introduce new words. Talk about what the ingredients you are using, what utensils you are using and what you are doing. You’ll be amazed at how much your child will learn as he or she listens and watches.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Hello Everybody Food Song
Hello everybody how do you do?
How do you do?
How do you do?
Hello everybody how do you do?
It’s nice to see you today.

If you like pizza stand up.
Sit down.
If you like burgers stand up.
Sit down.
If you like hot dogs stand up.
Sit down
If you like spaghetti stand up.
Sit down.

Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Bring in “real” food and talk about favorite foods. Include a can of soup.

The Soup Is Boiling Up (make stirring motions)
The soup is boiling up,
The soup is boiling up,
Stir slow around we go,
The soup is boiling up.

Pat-a-Cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man (clap hands in rhythm)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it (roll hands around each other)
Pat it (clap hands together)
Mark it with a “B” (trace letter “B” on child)
And toss it in the oven for baby and me! (pretend to put in oven)

Book: The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood

Show “real” muffins and sing the Muffin Man song.

Muffin Man
Oh, do you know the muffin man,
The muffin man, the muffin man,
Oh, do you know the muffin man,
Who lives in Drury Lane?

Oh, yes, I know the muffin man,
The muffin man, the muffin man,
Oh, yes, I know the muffin man,
Who lives in Drury Lane.

Book: Jamberry by Bruce Degen

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - July 11, 2011

2011-07-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: One good way to introduce babies to letters is to have foam letters or letter blocks for your baby to play with. Let letters be part of your babies everyday world.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Wiggle Your Fingers and Toes
Show me how you clap your hands: Clap, Clap, Clap!
Show me how you tap your feet: Tap, Tap, Tap!
Wiggle your fingers and toes!

Show me how you nod your head: Nod, Nod, Nod!
Show me how your flap your arms: Flap, Flap, Flap!
Wiggle your fingers and toes!

Clap your hands.
Tap your feet.
Nod your head.
Flap your arms.
Wiggle your fingers and toes.

Book Break

Tall as a Tree
Tall as a tree (stretch baby’s arms over head)
Wide as a house (stretch baby’s arms out to sides)
Thins as a pin (snug baby’s arms to their sides)
Small as a mouse (cuddle baby tight)

Row, Row, Row Your Boat
(Face each other and rock back and forth and sing)
Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.

Rock, rock, rock your boat
Gently to and fro (rock to the left and to the right)
Watch out! Give a shout, into the water you go! (roll over on back)

Row, row, row your boat
Down the jungle stream,
If you see a crocodile, don’t forget to scream! (scream)

Book Break

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Humpty Dumpty(Bounce baby on your lap)
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Humpty Dumpty fell in a puddle,
Humpty Dumpty needs a BIG cuddle! (give a big cuddle!)

Book Break

This is the Way We… (with scarves)
This is the way we wash our face, wash our face, wash our face.
(rub scrunched scarf on face)
This is the way we wash our face,
So early in the morning.

---Wash our toes
---Wash our knees
---Wash our tummy

Scarf Dance
Dance your scarves up
Dance your scarves down
Dance them to the side and
Dance them all around.
Dance them on your shoulders
Dance them on your head
Dance them on your tummy
And put them down to bed.

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Zoo Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-06-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip – As you are going about your day have your child listen for the noises he or she hears. Listen for things like birds, cars, airplanes, dogs barking, water running, wind in the trees. Talk about the sounds that you hear together. Listening to and being able to distinguish different sounds will help your child hear and distinguish the sounds in words.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

From Head to Toe by Eric Carle

Five Little Lions
Five little lions all in a row.
One ran away. Where did he go?
Four little lions left to play.
One went home; he could not stay.
Three little lions chasing one another,
One went into the jungle to find her mother.
Two little lions loudly roaring,
One fell asleep and now he’s snoring.
One little lion without a friend,
Left to eat supper back at the den.
No little lions left today,
Come back tomorrow and again we’ll play.

A Slide and Surprise Animal Book

Mr. Jeepers (sing to Old McDonald)
Mr. Jeeps was a zookeeper, e-i-e-i-o
And in his zoo he had a lion, e-i-e-i-o
With a roar, roar here and a roar, roar there
Here a roar, there a roar, everywhere a roar, roar

(continue with tiger…grr; snake…hiss; bear…growl; monkey…chee chee)

Elephant Goes Like This
The elephant goes like this like that
(clasp hands and swing like a trunk)
He’s terrible big
(hold arms up high)
and terrible fat
(hold arms out)
He has no fingers he has no toes
(wiggle fingers and toes)
But goodness gracious! What a nose!
(clasp hands and swing like a trunk)

Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! (chant getting faster and faster)

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - June 27, 2011

2011-06-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: I know you’ve heard this before, but it’s worth repeating over and over again. Read together often - especially when you are happy and relaxed.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Baby’s Fingers
Where oh where are baby’s fingers? (touch fingers)
Where oh where are baby’s toes? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.
Where oh where are baby’s ears? (touch ears)
Where oh where is baby’s nose? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.

ABC Song

Book Break

Eensy Weensy SpiderThe eensy weensy spider climbed up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried the rain away.
Then the eensy weensy spider climbed up the spout again.

Cheek, Chin
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Nose!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Toes!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Up Baby Goes!

Book Break

“Shake Those Bells” from Kid’s Make Music, Babies Make Music, too.

The Noble Duke of York (bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

Book Break

Clap Clap Clap (Sing to Row Row Row Your Boat)
Clap clap clap your hands, clap them now with me.
Clap your hands, let me see,
Clap them know with me.
(Other verses)
Tap tap tap your knees…
Shake shake shake your feet
Touch touch touch your shoulders…

Humpty Dumpty(Bounce baby on your lap)
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Humpty Dumpty fell in a puddle,
Humpty Dumpty needs a BIG cuddle! (give a big cuddle!)

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Counting Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-06-20T10:06:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip –Counting books and counting rhymes do many things to help children. They not only help with counting and numbers, they also help with early literacy. The sequence of counting books and rhymes helps children learn sequences skills that develop narrative skills. Narrative skills are a basic foundation for learning to read.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Ten Tiny Tickles by Karen Katz

One Little Two Little Three Little Puppies (sing to Ten Little Indians)
One little, two little, three little puppies,
four little, five little, six little puppies,
seven little, eight little, nine little puppies,
ten puppies go Bark! Bark!

Repeat with … wag their tails…
… pant, pant…
… dig a hole…

I'm a little cuckoo clock
Tick tock, tick tock, I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock, now it's one o'clock.
Cuckoo! (jump)

Continue with two, three, four and five o'clock.

Book: Ten in the Den by John Butler

Ten in the Bed
There were ten in the bed and the little one said,
"Roll over, roll over." (rolling motion)
So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were nine in the bed and the little one said,
"Roll over, roll over."
So they all rolled over and one fell out...
(This is repeated until you get to the number one.)
There was one in the bed and the little one said,
"Good night!"

This Old Man
This old man, he played one
He played knick-knack on my thumb
With a knick-knack patty-whack, give a dog a bone
This old man came rolling home

This old man, he played two
He played knick-knack on my shoe
With a knick-knack patty-whack, give a dog a bone
This old man came rolling home

This old man, he played three
He played knick-knack on my knee…

This old man, he played four
He played knick-knack on my door…

This old man, he played five
He played knick-knack on my thigh…

This old man, he played six
He played knick-knack on my sticks…

This old man, he played seven
He played knick-knack up in heaven…

This old man, he played eight
He played knick-knack on my gate…

This old man, he played nine
He played knick-knack on my spine…

This old man, he played ten
He played knick-knack ‘til the end…

Book: Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker

“Six Little Ducks” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you. Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - June 20, 2011

2011-06-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Sing songs about everything. Washing the dishes? Sing about it! Changing a diaper? There's a song there too (whoop-de-doop rhymes with poop)!

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Pat-a-Cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man (clap hands in rhythm)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it (roll hands around each other)
Pat it (clap hands together)
Mark it with a “B” (trace letter “B” on child)
And toss it in the oven for baby and me! (pretend to put in oven)

They’re a Part of Me
(melody: “Wheels on the Bus”)
I can make my hands
Go clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap.
I can make my hands
Go clap, clap, clap.
They’re a part of me.

I can make my feet
Go stamp, stamp, stamp…
I can make my legs
Go hop, hop, hop…

Book Break

Peas Porridge Hot(clap hands in rhythm)
Peas porridge hot
Peas Porridge cold
Peas Porridge in the pot nine days old
Some like it hot
Some like it cold
Some like in the pot nine days old.

Book Break

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Uncle John
Mother and father and Uncle John (bounce on knees)
Went to town one by one.
Mother fell off. (dip to one side)
Father fell off. (dip to other side)
But Uncle John went on and on and on. (bounce on knees)

Book Break

Wind, Oh Wind
(Wave scarves from side to side as if in the wind)
Wind, oh wind, oh wind, I say,
What are you blowing around today?
Scarves, oh scarves, oh scarves I say.
I am blowing the scarves away!

Scarf Dance
Dance your scarves up
Dance your scarves down
Dance them to the side and
Dance them all around.
Dance them on your shoulders
Dance them on your head
Dance them on your tummy
And put them down to bed.

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Book Babies - June 13, 2011

2011-06-13T10:15:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: One of the skills children need to develop is called narrative skills. This means a child being able to tell stories and describe things. Babies can’t tell stories yet, but you can encourage their efforts to talk. Listen patiently as your baby tries to talk and encourage your baby’s chatter and responses.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Rickety Rickety Rocking Horse
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (bounce child on knees)
Over the fields we go.
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (gradually bounce faster)
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up,
WHOA! (stop bouncing)

ABC Song

Book Break

Baby’s Hokey Pokey
Arms up, arms down, arms up
And wave them all around

Then tickle tickle wiggle giggle
Everybody knows
That’s how baby’s hokey pokey goes

Legs up, legs down, legs up
And kick them all around
Then tickle tickle wiggle giggle
Everybody knows
That’s how baby’s hokey pokey goes!

Cheek, Chin
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Nose!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Toes!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Up Baby Goes!

Book Break

Eensy Weensy Spider
The eensy weensy spider climbed up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried the rain away.
Then the eensy weensy spider climbed up the spout again.

“Shake Those Bells” from Kid’s Make Music, Babies Make Music, too.

Book Break

The Noble Duke of York (bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

Storytime is Done
sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Bedtime Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-06-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip – Cuddle up together at bedtime with a special book. Every time you make reading a book a pleasant experience with your child you are developing a love of reading.

“The More We Get Together” From Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Hush, Little Ones by John Butler

Ring Around the Rosy
Ring around the rosy
A pocketful of posies
"Ashes, Ashes"
We all fall down

Ten in the Bed
There were ten in the bed and the little one said,
"Roll over, roll over." (rolling motion)
So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were nine in the bed and the little one said,
"Roll over, roll over."
So they all rolled over and one fell out...
(This is repeated until you get to the number one.)
There was one in the bed and the little one said,
"Good night!"

Book: Cuddle Up, Goodnight by Katie Cleminson

This is the Way We… (with scarves)
This is the way we wash our face, wash our face, wash our face.
(rub scrunched scarf on face)
This is the way we wash our face,
When we get ready for bed.

---Wash our toes
---Wash our knees
---Wash our tummy

“Hush Little Baby” from Sharon, Lois & Bram Sing A-Z (dance with scarves)

Book: Tuck Me In! by Dean Hacohen and Sherry Scharschmidt

If You’re Sleepy And You Know It
If you’re sleepy and you know it yawn like this (yawn)
If you’re sleepy and you know it yawn like this (yawn)
If you’re sleepy and you know it and you really want to show it
If you’re sleepy and you know it yawn like this (yawn)

Also: … stretch like this… (stretch)
… go to sleep… (pretend sleeping)

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - June 6, 2011

2011-06-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Learning nursery rhymes is an important literacy skill. Studies have shown that children who have memorized some nursery rhymes before they start kindergarten will be more successful in school than children who do not know nursery rhymes.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

ABC Song

Book Break

Pat-a-Cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man (clap hands in rhythm)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it (roll hands around each other)
Pat it (clap hands together)
Mark it with a “B” (trace letter “B” on child)
And toss it in the oven for baby and me! (pretend to put in oven)

“Shake Those Bells” from Kid’s Make Music, Babies Make Music, too.

Book Break

Slowly, Slowly
Slowly, slowly, very slowly creeps the garden snail.
Slowly, slowly, very slowly up the garden rail.
(Walk hand very slowly up baby’s arm.)
Quickly, quickly, very quickly runs the little mouse.
Quickly, quickly, very quickly all around the house.
(Tickle baby’s tummy.)

Rickety Rickety Rocking Horse
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (bounce child on knees)
Over the fields we go.
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (gradually bounce faster)
Giddy up, giddy up
WHOA! (stop bouncing)

Book Break

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth)
The mouse ran up the clock. (lift baby in the air.)
The clock struck one. (Bong! )
The mouse ran down. (lift baby down.)
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth.)

Storytime is Done
(sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Farm Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-05-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

All About Farms

Early Literacy Tip – Show your child print in everyday life. Point out words on signs, on menus, in newspapers and in books.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book: Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown

Baa Baa Black Sheep
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!
One for my master, one for the dame,
One for the little child who lives down the lane.
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!

Book: Wake Up Big Barn! by Suzanne Tanner Chitwood

“Bumping Up and Down” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

The Farmer Plants His Seeds (sing to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”)
The farmer plants his seeds. (bend and pretend to plant)
The farmer plants his seeds,
Hi, ho, the dairy-o.
The farmer plants his seeds.

Additional verses:
The sun comes out to shine… (make circle with arms)
The rain begins to fall… (fingers flutter up and down)
The plants begin to grow… (slowly rise arms up)

Book: Spots Feathers and Curly Tails by Nancy Tafuri

Old Macdonald Had a Farm
Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O
And on his farm he had a cow, E-I-E-I-O
With a "moo-moo" here and a "moo-moo" there
Here a "moo" there a "moo"
Everywhere a "moo-moo"
Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O
(continue with more animals)

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - May 23, 2011

2011-05-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Let your baby see you reading. You are your baby’s greatest role model. If your baby sees you read, your baby will equate reading as something good and will naturally want to read someday too.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Book Break

Hugs, Bounces and Tickles (match actions to words)
Hug you here, hug you there,
Hug you, hug you – Everywhere!

Bounce you here, bounce you there,
Bounce you, bounce you – Everywhere!

Tickle you here, tickle you there,
Tickle you, tickle you – Everywhere!

Baby’s Hokey Pokey
Arms up, arms down, arms up
And wave them all around

Then tickle tickle wiggle giggle
Everybody knows
That’s how baby’s hokey pokey goes

Legs up, legs down, legs up
And kick them all around
Then tickle tickle wiggle giggle
Everybody knows
That’s how baby’s hokey pokey goes!

Book Break

Baa Baa Black Sheep
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!
One for my master, one for the dame,
One for the little child who lives down the lane.
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!

This is the Way We… (with scarves)
This is the way we wash our face, wash our face, wash our face.
(rub scrunched scarf on face)
This is the way we wash our face,
So early in the morning.

---Wash our toes
---Wash our knees
---Wash our tummy

Wind, Oh Wind (with scarves)
(Wave scarves from side to side as if in the wind)
Wind, oh wind, oh wind, I say,
What are you blowing around today?
Scarves, oh scarves, oh scarves I say.
I am blowing the scarves away!

Book Break

The Noble Duke of York (bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Frog Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-05-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

“The More We Get Together” (From Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi)

Early Literacy Tip – Reading the words in a story is only one small part of smart book sharing. Exploring the pictures in your books is one of the best ways to expose your child to vocabulary and images they may not typically come across. As you read with your child today, maximize the reading experience by pointing out items, colors, characters and interesting details on each page. (From: Reading with Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers Facebook)

Book: Jump, Frog, Jump! by Robert Kalan

I Can JUMP!
I can jump, jump, jump
I can hop, hop, hop
I can clap, clap, clap
I can STOP!
I can nod my head yes,
I can shake my head no,
I can bend my knees,
and sit down just so.

Book: The Wide-Mouthed Frog: a Pop-Up Book by Keith Faulkner

If You’re a Frog and You Know It
If you’re a frog and you know it hop like this, hop, hop
If you’re a frog and you know it hop like this, hop, hop
If you’re a frog and you know it and you really want to show it
If you’re a frog and you know it hop like this, hop, hop.

(repeat with ribbit)

Five Green and Speckled Frogs (with finger puppets)
Five green and speckled frogs,
Sat on a speckled log,
Eating some most delicious bugs,
Yum, yum.
One jumped into the pool,
Where it was nice and cool,
Then there were four green speckled frogs.
Four, three, two, one etc.

Book: Ribbit-Rabbit by Candace Ryan

Little Frog
A little frog in a pond am I
Hippity, hippity, hop. (jump)
And I jump in the air so high
Hippty, hippity, hop. (jump)

The Frog on the Log
There once was a green
Little frog, frog, frog -
Who played in the wood
On a log, log, log!
A screech owl sitting
In a tree, tree, tree -
Came after the frog
with a scree, scree, scree!
When the frog heard the owl -
In a flash, flash, flash -
He leaped in the pond
With a splash, splash, splash

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - May 16, 2011

2011-05-17T12:16:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Today’s tip is about vocabulary. As you go about your day - changing diapers, eating, going shopping – talk about what you are doing. Research has shown a very strong link between the number of words young children hear and their success in school later on.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Hugs, Bounces and Tickles (match actions to words)
Hug you here, hug you there,
Hug you, hug you – Everywhere!

Bounce you here, bounce you there,
Bounce you, bounce you – Everywhere!

Tickle you here, tickle you there,
Tickle you, tickle you – Everywhere!

The Noble Duke of York (bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

Book Break

Humpty Dumpty
(Bounce baby on your lap)
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Humpty Dumpty fell in a puddle,
Humpty Dumpty needs a BIG cuddle! (give a big cuddle!)

ABC Song

Book Break

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Baby’s Fingers
Where oh where are baby’s fingers? (touch fingers)
Where oh where are baby’s toes? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.
Where oh where are baby’s ears? (touch ears)
Where oh where is baby’s nose? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.

Book Break

Clap Clap Clap (Sing to Row Row Row Your Boat)
Clap clap clap your hands, clap them now with me.
Clap your hands, let me see,
Clap them know with me.
(Other verses)
Tap tap tap your knees…
Shake shake shake your feet
Touch touch touch your shoulders…

Diddle Diddle Dumpling
Diddle diddle dumpling my son John
(bicycle baby’s legs)
Went to bed with his trousers on
One shoe off (pat foot)
One shoe on (pat other foot)
Diddle diddle dumpling
My son John
(bicycle baby’s legs)

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Book Babies - May 9, 2011

2011-05-09T10:17:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Print Awareness. Knowing how to handle a book is something that children need to learn before they start school. A child needs to learn that books have covers and pages inside. They need to learn how to hold a book and how to turn the pages. Playing with board books is a great way for babies to learn the basics of print awareness.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi

Eensy Weensy Spider
The eensy weensy spider climbed up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried the rain away.
Then the eensy weensy spider climbed up the spout again.

Peas Porridge Hot(clap hands in rhythm)
Peas porridge hot
Peas Porridge cold
Peas Porridge in the pot nine days old
Some like it hot
Some like it cold
Some like in the pot nine days old.

Book Break

Row, Row, Row Your Boat (song)
(Face each other and rock back and forth)
Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.

Rock, rock, rock your boat
Gently to and fro (rock to the left and to the right)
Watch out! Give a shout, into the water you go! (roll over on back)

Row, row, row your boat
Down the jungle stream,
If you see a crocodile, don’t forget to scream! (scream)

ABC Song

Book Break

“Hush Little Baby” from Sharon, Lois & Bram Sing A-Z (dance with scarves)

Humpty Dumpty(Bounce baby on your lap)
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Humpty Dumpty fell in a puddle,
Humpty Dumpty needs a BIG cuddle! (give a big cuddle!)

Book Break

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Storytime is Done (sing to The Farmer in the Dell)
Storytime is done, storytime is done,
hi ho the derrio, storytime is done.
It’s time to play with toys, it’s time to play with toys,
hi ho the derrio, it’s time to play with toys.

Mother's Day Storytime- Tales for Twos

2011-05-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

“The More We Get Together” (From Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi)

Early Literacy Tip – Before children can read they need to learn the names of the letters and the sounds letters make. Toddlers don’t need to know the alphabet yet, but it’s a good idea to introduce your toddlers to letters by singing the ABC and by sometimes pointing out letters to your child.

Sing “ABC Song”

Book: Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara Joosse

Skinamarinka dink
Skinamarinka dinky dink, Skinamarinka doo, I love you
Skinamarinky dinky dink, Skinamarink a doo, I love you
I love you in the morning
and in the afternoon,
I love you in the evening
and underneath the moon!
Skinamarinka dinky dink Skinamarink a doo,
I love you too boo boopy doo.

Book: What Mommies Do Best by Laura Numeroff

We Love Mothers (sing to the tune “Frere Jacques”)
We love Mothers, we love Mothers,
Yes, we do, Yes we do
Mothers are for hugging,
(hug self)
Mothers are for kissing
(blow kiss)
We love you.
Yes, we do

M-O-M-M-Y (sing to the tune of Bingo)
There is someone who loves me so
and Mommy is her name-O
M-O-M-M-Y, M-O-M-M-Y, M-O-M-M-Y
and Mommy is her name-O.

Book: The Mommy Book by Todd Parr

Hugs and Tickles (match actions to words)

Hug you here,
Hug you there,
Hug you, hug you –
Everywhere!

Tickle you here,
Tickle you there,
Tickle you, tickle you –
Everywhere!

“I Really Love to Dance” from Buzz Buzz by Laurie Berkner

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - May 2, 2011

2011-05-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Reading the words in a story is only one small part of smart book sharing. Exploring the pictures in your books is one of the best ways to expose your child to vocabulary and images they may not typically come across. As you read with your child today, maximize the reading experience by pointing out items, colors, characters and interesting details on each page.
(From Reading with Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers, Facebook)

“The More We Get Together” by Raffi

Rickety Rickety Rocking HorseRickety, rickety, rocking horse (bounce child on knees)
Over the fields we go.
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (gradually bounce faster)
Giddy up, giddy up
WHOA! (stop bouncing)

ABC Song

Slowly, Slowly
Slowly, slowly, very slowly creeps the garden snail.
Slowly, slowly, very slowly up the garden rail.
(walk hand very slowly up baby’s arm)
Quickly, quickly, very quickly runs the little mouse.
Quickly, quickly, very quickly all around the house.
(tickle baby’s tummy)

Book Break

Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth) The mouse ran up the clock. (lift baby in the air.) The clock struck one. (Bong! ) The mouse ran down. (lift baby down.) Hickory Dickory Dock. (swing baby back and forth.)

Baby’s Fingers
Where oh where are baby’s fingers? (touch fingers)
Where oh where are baby’s toes? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.
Where oh where are baby’s ears? (touch ears)
Where oh where is baby’s nose? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.

Book Break

Clap Clap Clap (Sing to Row Row Row Your Boat)
Clap clap clap your hands, clap them now with me.
Clap your hands, let me see,
Clap them know with me.
(Other verses)
Tap tap tap your knees…
Shake shake shake your feet
Touch touch touch your shoulders…

“Shake Your Sillies Out” by Raffi

Book Break

The Noble Duke of York (bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

Cheek, Chin
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin, Nose!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin, Toes!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin, Up Baby Goes!

“Hush Little Baby” from Sharon, Lois & Bram Sing A-Z (dance with scarves)

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving, Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you, It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Ducks & Chicks Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-05-04T12:48:00.000-07:00

“The More We Get Together” (From Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi)

Early Literacy Tip – Today’s literacy focus is Print Awareness. Print Awareness means a child’s knowledge of how books work. Children need to learn how to hold a book and that letters go on the page from left to right and from top to bottom. It’s helpful to sometimes move your finger under words to show your child how the words move on a page.

Book: Cold Little Duck, Duck, Duck by Lisa Westberg Peters

Five Little Ducks
Five little ducks
Went out one day
Over the hills and far away
Mother duck said
"Quack, quack, quack”
But only four little ducks came running back.

(continue with 4, 3, 2, 1, 0)
Then mother duck
said
"QUACK! QUACK! QUACK!
And five little ducks came running back.

Two Little Blackbirds
Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill
One named Jack and one named Jill
Fly away Jack. Fly away Jill.
Come back Jack. Come back Jill.

Book: Five Little Chicks by Nancy Tafuri

If You’re a Chick (sing to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
If you’re a chick and you know it say peep, peep.
If you’re a chick and you know it say peep, peep.
If you’re a chick and you know it and you really want to show it.
If you’re a chick and you know it say peep, peep.
(continue with more verses)
If you’re a chick and you know it sratch,,
If you’re a chick and you know it peck..
If you’re a chick and you know it do all three…

Book: Cheep! Cheep! by Julie Stiegemeyer

“Six Little Ducks” (From More Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi)

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - April 25, 2011

2011-05-04T12:41:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week: Letter knowledge is what children know about letters before they learn how to read. Babies don’t need to know their alphabet, but it’s helpful to introduce them to letters at an early age. You can do this by singing the ABC song and by playing with letters. You don’t need to teach letters to babies but you can have fun with letters.

“The More We Get Together” by Raffi

Pat-a-Cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man (clap hands in rhythm)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it (roll hands around each other)
Pat it (clap hands together)
Mark it with a “B” (trace letter “B” on child)
And toss it in the oven for baby and me! (pretend to put in oven)

ABC Song

Uncle John
Mother and father and Uncle John (bounce on knees)
Went to town one by one.
Mother fell off. (dip to one side)
Father fell off. (dip to other side)
But Uncle John went on and on and on. (bounce on knees)

Book Break

The Noble Duke of York (bounce baby on lap and lift on up)
The noble duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill and marched them down again.
And when you’re up you’re up.
And when you’re down you’re down.
And when you’re only half way up you’re neither up nor down.
He marched them to the left. He marched them to the right.
He marched them almost upside down, oh what a silly sight.

Book Break

Cheek, Chin
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin, Nose!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin, Toes!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin, Up Baby Goes!

Peas Porridge Hot
(clap hands in rhythm)
Peas porridge hot
Peas Porridge cold
Peas Porridge in the pot nine days old
Some like it hot
Some like it cold
Some like in the pot nine days old.

“Shake Your Sillies Out” by Raffi

Book Break

Humpty Dumpty
(Bounce baby on your lap)
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Humpty Dumpty fell in a puddle,
Humpty Dumpty needs a BIG cuddle! (give a big cuddle!)

They’re a Part of Me
(melody: “Wheels on the Bus”)
I can make my hands
Go clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap.
I can make my hands
Go clap, clap, clap.
They’re a part of me.

I can make my feet
Go stamp, stamp, stamp…
I can make my legs
Go hop, hop, hop…

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving, Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you, It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Train Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-05-02T13:44:00.000-07:00

“The More We Get Together” (From Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi)

Early Literacy Tip – Toddlers are developing their vocabulary at an amazing rate. Every time you read to your child or talk to your child you are helping your child develop his or her vocabulary. The more words your child knows before he or she starts school the more successful he or she will be as a reader and a student. Today as we read and sing about trains your child may be exposed to new words like engine or conductor.

Book: Rattle and Rap by Susan Steggall

People Train
All Aboard!
I’m a train,
I’m a train,
I’m a choo-choo train.
I ride in the sun.
I ride in the rain.
My wheels go fast.
My wheels go slow.
It depends, it depends
On where I go.
Chugga, chugga, chugga
Choo! Choo!

Watch the Train (sing to London Bridge)
Watch the train go ‘round the track,
‘round the track, ‘round the track,
Watch the train go ‘round the track,
All aboard!
(You can have children hook together to form a “train” go around the room as you sing and then go back to the “station.)

Book: I Love Trains! by Philemon Sturges

Choo-Choo Train
This is a choo-choo train,
(Bend arms at elbows)
Puffing down the track.
(Rotate forearms in rhythm)
Now it’s going forward,
(Push arms forward, continue motion)
Now it’s going back.
(Pull arms back using same motion)
Now the bell is ringing.
(pull cord with closed fist)
Now the whistle blows.
(Hold fist near mouth and blow Toot, Toot)
What a lot of noise it makes.
(Cover ears with hands)
Everywhere it goes.
(Stretch out arms)

Wheels on the Train (sing to The Wheels on the Bus)
The wheels on the train go clickety clack, clickety clack, clickety clack,
The wheels on the go clickety clack,
On the railroad tracks.

The engine on the train goes chug, chug, chug…
The conductor on the train says “ticket please…
The people on the train go bounce, bounce, bounce..
The whistle on the train goes toot, toot, toot…

Book: A Train Goes Clickety-Clack by Jonathan London

“Workin’ on the Railroad” from More Singable Songs by Raffi

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - April 18, 2011

2011-04-19T07:43:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week Print motivation is a term that means loving books. When you read to your baby make it a pleasant experience. Cuddle with your baby or be silly with your child. If your baby learns to enjoy reading he or she will really want to learn to read in the future.
Learn more about early literacy at read.denverlibrary.org.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Pat-a-Cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man (clap hands in rhythm)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it (roll hands around each other)
Pat it (clap hands together)
Mark it with a “B” (trace letter “B” on child)
And toss it in the oven for baby and me! (pretend to put in oven)

Cheek, Chin
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Nose!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Toes!
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Up Baby Goes!

Book Break: Peek-a-Baby by Karen Katz

Humpty Dumpty(Bounce baby on your lap)
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Humpty Dumpty fell in a puddle,
Humpty Dumpty needs a BIG cuddle! (give a big cuddle!)

“Bumping Up and Down” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Baby’s FingersWhere oh where are baby’s fingers? (touch fingers)
Where oh where are baby’s toes? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.
Where oh where are baby’s ears? (touch ears)
Where oh where is baby’s nose? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.

Book Break: What is Black and White? By Petr Horacek

Baa Baa Black Sheep
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!
One for my master, one for the dame,
One for the little child who lives down the lane.
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!

They’re a Part of Me (melody: “Wheels on the Bus”)
I can make my hands
Go clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap.
I can make my hands
Go clap, clap, clap.
They’re a part of me.

I can make my feet
Go stamp, stamp, stamp…
I can make my legs
Go hop, hop, hop…

Book Break: Grow Up! By Nina Laden

"Shake My Sillies Out" from More Singable Songs by Raffi

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Llama Storytime - Tales for Twos

2011-04-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

“The More We Get Together” (From Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi)

Early Literacy Tip – The word llama doesn’t rhyme many words, but it does rhyme with pajama. Rhyming fun words with your child helps develop phonological awareness. Phonological awareness is the ability to hear the sounds that make up words. It’s a skill that children need to develop before they can learn to read.

Book: Is Your Mama a Llama ? by Deborah Guarino

Down by the Bay (From Singable Songs For the Very Young by Raffi)

Ten Little Llamas (song and flannel board)
One little, two little,
Three little llamas.
Four little, five little,
Six little llamas.
Seven little, eight little,
Nine little llamas.
Ten little llamas wear pajamas!

Did You Ever See a Llama(Tune of Did You Ever See a Lassie)
Did you ever see a llama,
A llama, a llama?
Did you ever see a llama run this way and that?
Run this way and that way
And that way and this way
Did you ever see a llama run this way and that?

Book: Llama, Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Looby Loo
Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night
You put your right hand in
You take your right hand out
You give your hand a shake, shake, shake
And turn yourself about
(continue with more verses: left hand, right foot, left foot, whole self)
http://wiki.kcls.org/tellmeastory/index.php/Here_We_Go_Looby_Loo

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies - April 11, 2011

2011-04-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week Phonological awareness is the ability to hear and play with smaller sounds in words. This skill helps children sound out words when they begin to read. Every time you say a rhyme or sing with your child you are helping him or her develop phonological awareness. Learn more about early literacy at read.denverlibrary.org.

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Eensy Weensy Spider
The eensy weensy spider climbed up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried the rain away.
Then the eensy weensy spider climbed up the spout again.

Humpty Dumpty
(Bounce baby on your lap)
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Humpty Dumpty fell in a puddle,
Humpty Dumpty needs a BIG cuddle! (give a big cuddle!)

Rickety Rickety Rocking Horse
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (bounce child on knees)
Over the fields we go.
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (gradually bounce faster)
Giddy up, giddy up
WHOA! (stop bouncing)

Book: That’s Not My Teddy

Baby’s Fingers
Where oh where are baby’s fingers? (touch fingers)
Where oh where are baby’s toes? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.
Where oh where are baby’s ears? (touch ears)
Where oh where is baby’s nose? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.

“Bumping Up and Down” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Baa Baa Black Sheep
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!
One for my master, one for the dame,
One for the little child who lives down the lane.
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!

Slowly, Slowly
Slowly, slowly, very slowly creeps the garden snail.
Slowly, slowly, very slowly up the garden rail.
(Walk hand very slowly up baby’s arm.)
Quickly, quickly, very quickly runs the little mouse.
Quickly, quickly, very quickly all around the house.
(Tickle baby’s tummy.)

Row, Row, Row Your Boat
(song)
(Face each other and rock back and forth)
Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.

Rock, rock, rock your boat
Gently to and fro (rock to the left and to the right)
Watch out! Give a shout, into the water you go! (roll over on back)

Row, row, row your boat
Down the jungle stream,
If you see a crocodile, don’t forget to scream! (scream)

“Shake My Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs by Raffi

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving, time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you, it was nice to see you. Good-bye. Good-bye.

Trucks Storytime - Toddler Storytime

2011-04-11T10:04:00.000-07:00

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Early Literacy Tip – Print Motivation is a term that means loving books. Choose books that your child likes. If your child likes trucks, sometimes read truck books. If your child likes animals choose some animal books. When you read books about things your child has an interest in your child will learn to love books and will eventually love to read.

Book: Giant Pop-Out Vehicles

Open the Truck Door
(do actions as the rhyme suggests)
Open the truck door,
Climb inside.
I get to help
My mommy drive.

Fasten the seat belt,
Shut the door,
Start the engine
Hear it roar.

Turn the corner,
Step on the gas
If the road’s clear,
We may pass.

Old MacDonald Had a Truck
Old MacDonald had a truck e-i-e-i-o
And on his truck there were some wheels, e-i-e-i-o
With a spin, spin here and a spin, spin there
Here a spin, there spin, everywhere a spin, spin
Old MacDonald had a truck e-i-e-i-o.

Book: A Truck Goes Rattley- Bumpa by Jonathan London

The Wheels on the Bus
The wheels on the bus go round and round
Round and round, round and round
The wheels on the bus go round and round
All through the town.
(continue with other verses)
The wipers on the bus go "Swish, swish, swish…
The baby on the bus says, "Wah, wah, wah…
The people on the bus say, "Shh, shh, shh…

“Trucks” from Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner

Book: Digger Man by Andrea Zimmerman

Construction Truck Song
(sing to the tune of “Mulberry Bush”)
This is the way we scoop the dirt, scoop the dirt, scoop the dirt.
This is the way we scoop the dirt with a backhoe.

This is the way we dump the dirt, dump the dirt, dump the dirt.
This is the way we dump the dirt with a dump truck.

This is the way we roll the dirt, roll the dirt, roll the dirt.
This is the way we roll the dirt with a roller truck.

This is the way we scrape the dirt… with a grader.
This is the way we lift things up… with a crane.
This is the way we mix things up…with a mixer.

We Are Leaving
(sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Book Babies April 4, 2011

2011-04-05T11:36:00.000-07:00

Early Literacy Tip of the Week
Parents are their children’s most important teachers. One of the best things you can do to help your baby become a great learner is to talk, talk and talk some more with your baby. Talk about your day, say nursery rhymes, sing and read books with your baby. You are building crucial brain connections each time you talk with your baby.

“The More We Get Together” by Raffi

Rickety Rickety Rocking Horse
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (bounce child on knees)
Over the fields we go.
Rickety, rickety, rocking horse (gradually bounce faster)
Giddy up, giddy up
WHOA! (stop bouncing)

Pat-a-Cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man (clap hands in rhythm)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it (roll hands around each other)
Pat it (clap hands together)
Mark it with a “B” (trace letter “B” on child)
And toss it in the oven for baby and me! (pretend to put in oven)

Book: Playtime peekaboo!

They’re a Part of Me (melody: “Wheels on the Bus”)
I can make my hands
Go clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap.
I can make my hands
Go clap, clap, clap.
They’re a part of me.

I can make my feet
Go stamp, stamp, stamp…
I can make my legs
Go hop, hop, hop…

Row, Row, Row Your Boat (song)
(Face each other and rock back and forth)
Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.

Rock, rock, rock your boat
Gently to and fro (rock to the left and to the right)
Watch out! Give a shout, into the water you go! (roll over on back)

Row, row, row your boat
Down the jungle stream,
If you see a crocodile, don’t forget to scream! (scream)

Baby’s Fingers
Where oh where are baby’s fingers? (touch fingers)
Where oh where are baby’s toes? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.
Where oh where are baby’s ears? (touch ears)
Where oh where is baby’s nose? (touch toes)
Where is baby’s belly button? (trace on baby’s tummy)
Round and round it goes.

Eensy Weensy Spider
The eensy weensy spider climbed up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried the rain away.
Then the eensy weensy spider climbed up the spout again.

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving, Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you, It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Pets Storytime- Toddler Storytime

2011-04-05T11:33:00.000-07:00

All About Pets

“The More We Get Together” song by Raffi

Early Literacy Tip – Children learn most about books when they are actively involved. One great way to get your child involved in a book is to ask questions as you read and talk about the book while you read the story. You can learn more about this at technique at http://www.multcolib.org/birthtosix/elitdialogic.html.

Book: Giant Pop-Out Pets

If You’re a Cat and You Know It (sing to the tune “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, 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 say meow.
(continue with more verses)
• If you’re a cat and you know it lick your paws…
• If you’re a cat and you know it purr like this…
• If you’re a cat and you know it pounce like this…

Puppy Dog
Puppy dog, puppy dog,
Turn around. (turn in place)
Puppy dog, puppy dog,
Sit on the ground (sit)
Puppy dog , puppy dog,
Sit and beg. (pretend begging)
Puppy dog, puppy dog,
Stand on one leg. (stand on one leg)
Puppy dog, puppy dog,
Bark and wail! (bark and howl)
Puppy dog, puppy dog,
Chase your tail! (run in circle)
Puppy dog, puppy dog,
Into your bed creep. (walk softly)
Puppy dog, puppy dog,
Go to sleep! (close eyes, put head on hands)

Old Mother Cat
Over in the house with the big red door
Lived an old mother cat and her little kittens four.
“Purr” said the mother.
“We purr” said the four.
So they purred all day by the big red door.

Book: Cat & Mouse by Ian Schoenherr

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 Doggie and You Know It (sing to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re a doggie and you know it bark like this, bark! bark!
If you’re a doggie and you know it bark like this, bark! bark!
If you’re a doggie and you know and you really want to show it
If you’re a doggie and you know it bark like this, bark! bark!
(continue with more verses)
• If you’re a doggie and you know it wag your tail…
• If you’re a doggie and you know it pant like this…
• If you’re a doggie and you know it dig a hole…

We Are Leaving (sing to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
We are leaving, we are leaving,
Time to go, time to go.
It was nice to see you,
It was nice to see you.
Good-bye. Good-bye.

Noisy Storytime

2011-02-04T11:30:00.000-08:00

Hello Everybody

The Whistle on the Train (Pop-Up Book) by Margaret McNamara

"Clickity Clack" (Flannel Board)

Clickety Clack, clickety clack
Hear that boxcar coming down the track

Clickety fun, clickety fun
Here comes boxcar number one

Clickety shoe, clickety shoe
Here comes boxcar number two

Clickety tree, clickety tree
Here comes boxcar number three

Clickety jive, clickety jive
Here comes boxcar number five.

"Choo-Choo Train" (action rhyme)

Choo-choo train, choo-choo train
(hold waist and sway)
Puffing down the track,
Now it’s going forward,
(move arms bent at sides in a circular motion and move forward)
Now it’s going back.
(reverse arm motions)
Now the bell is ringing, ding–dong
(pull imaginary bell string)
Now the whistle blows, toot-toot.
(pull imaginary string with other arm)
What a lot of noise it makes
(sway)
Everywhere it goes!

Smash! Mash! Crash! There Goes the Trash by Barbara Odanaka

"I’m a Little Cuckoo Clock" (action rhyme)

Tick-tock, tick tock,
I’m a little cuckoo clock.
Tick-tock, tick tock,
Now I’m striking one o’clock.
Cuckoo!
(at each cuckoo jump)
(continue to count of 5)

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

Act out We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

If You’re Happy and You Know It! by Jane Cabrera

Wave Good-bye

Babytime - Feb. 3 & 4, 2011

2011-02-01T09:08:00.000-08:00

“Hello” from Makin’ Music: Come Outside to Play

Pat-a-Cake

Tall As A Tree

They’re a Part of Me

Literacy Tip: The book we are going to read today has lots of fun sounds, like “beep beep” and “la la la.” One of the six Early Literacy Skills is “Play with Sounds” or phonological awareness. Hearing fun sounds helps babies learn the sounds of language and the sounds that make up words. This is a skill that will help with speech and later will help with reading.

Book – The Baby Goes Beep by Rebecca O’Connell

“Six Little Ducks” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Pease Porridge Hot

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

The Noble Duck of York

Rhythm Instruments to “Shake Those Bells” from Kids Make Music, Babies Make Music Too!

“Shake My Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs by Raffi

Babytime - January 27, 2010

2011-01-27T08:46:00.000-08:00

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Eensy Weensy Spider

Fee Fi Fo Fum

Humpty Dumpty

Literacy Tip: When you read books with your child make it enjoyable. Cuddle up close for some quiet stories or have fun with some active stories. The important thing is to have reading become an enjoyable experience for your child. If your child learns to love books, someday they will really want to learn how to read and become great readers.

Book – Whose Nose and Toes? by John Butler

“Six Little Ducks” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Uncle John

Baa Baa Black Sheep

Baby’s Hokey Pokey

“Peek-a-boo”from Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta Funsies 1 by Katherine Dines scarf music & play

Scarf Dance

Wind, Oh Wind

“Shake My Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs by Raffi

We Are Leaving

Silly Storytime

2011-01-26T19:44:00.000-08:00

Hello Everybody

Literacy Tip: Today’s focus is on Print Motivation or Loving Books. Today we are going to do fun, silly books and songs. When you read books that are fun with your child, your child will learn to love books. Children who love books really want to learn to read and become good readers. Have fun with your child!

Such a Silly Baby by Steffanie and Richard Long

“Farm Flu” - Flannel

Silly Sally by Audrey Wood

If You’re Silly and You Know It (sing to If You’re Happy and You Know It)
If you’re silly and you know it dance a jig
If you’re silly and you know it dance a jig
If you’re silly and you know it and you really want to show it
If you’re silly and you know it dance a jig

…play leapfrog…
…sing a tune…
… tickle a friend…
…fall asleep…

Wiggle by Doreen Cronin

“Shake Your Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs by Raffi

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! By Mo Willems

“Hippo on a Bus” – Fingerplay

Wave Goodbye

Snow Storytime - January 19, 2011

2011-01-19T18:50:00.000-08:00

“Hello Everybody” – welcome song

Literacy Tip: Today’s literacy focus is on Phonological Awareness or Playing with Sounds. Before children can read they need to be able to hear the separate sounds that make up words. This skill is called phonological awareness. Songs, rhymes and rhyming books and other ways of playing with the sounds of words help your child develop phonological awareness. You’ll notice today that several of the books we read are rhyming books and we’ll do some songs and action rhymes too.

Hello, Snow! by Hope Vestergaard

“I'm a Little Snow Person”
(I'm a Little Teapot)
I'm a little snow person
Short and fat
Here are my buttons,
here is my hat.
When the sun comes out,
I cannot stay.
Slowly I just melt away.

The Snowmen Pop-Up Book by Caralyn Buehner

“Snowflake, Snowflake”
(teddybear teddy bear turn around)
Snowflake, snowflake dance around,
Snowflake, snowflake, touch the ground,
Snowflake, snowflake soft and white,
Snowflake, snowflake snowball fight!
Snowflake, snowflake in the air,
Snowflake, snowflake everywhere!

Snowball Fight! by Jimmy Fallon

“Snow Ladies” – Flannel Board

“Melting Snowpals” - Movement
Have the children stand straight and tall, pretending to be snowpals outdoors in the icy cold. Then dance among them, pretending to be a ray of warm sunshine. As you touch the snowpals, have them slowly begin to “melt,” sagging their bodies until finally they slide down to the floor.

Snow Day! by Patricia Lakin

“Dance Like Snowflakes”
(Frere Jacques)
Dance like snowflakes,
Dance like snowflakes,
In the air,
In the air,
Whirling, twirling snowflakes
Whirling, twirling snowflakes
Here and there
Here and there

“The Chubby Little Snowman” – Flannel Board
A chubby little snowman
Had a carrot for a nose.
Along came a bunny
And what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny
Looking for some lunch
Ate that carrot nose
Munch, crunch, munch.

“Wave Goodbye”

Babytime - January 20 & 21, 2011

2011-01-18T10:55:00.000-08:00

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi
Cheek Chin
Slowly, Slowly
This is the Way the Lady Rides
Literacy Tip: Our literacy tip for today is about Phonological Awareness or Playing with Sounds. Babies and young children need to learn how to hear the different sounds that make up words. Singing, saying rhymes and reading rhyming books are great ways for you to help your babies learn phonological awareness.
Book – Moo, Baa, La, La, La by Sandra Boyton
“Wheels on the Bus” from Toddlers on Parade by Carol Totsky Hammett
Noble Duke of York
Row, row, row your boat
Baby’s Hokey Pokey
“Peek-a-boo”from Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta Funsies 1 by Katherine Dines scarf music & play
“Shake My Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs by Raffi

Farm Storytime

2011-01-13T14:48:00.000-08:00

Hello Everybody

Talk about farm animals

The Cow That Went Oink by Bernard Most

Farm Flu – Flannel

The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson

If You’re a Cow and You Know It Moo Like This...

Five Cranky Cows – Flannel

Literacy Tip: Today’s literacy focus is letter recognition or Know Letters. Before children can learn to read they need to know letters and know that letters have different names and sounds. You can help your child with this skill by reading alphabet books. It’s also helpful to sometimes point out letters as you read.

Click, Clack, Quackity-Quack by Doreen Cronin

Old MacDonald – song with E I E I O letters

5 Little Ponies All Dapple Gray – Flannel

B-I-N-G-O song with flannel letters

Wave Goodbye rhyme

Babytime - January 13, 2011

2011-01-11T09:48:00.000-08:00

“Hello” from Makin’ Music: Come Outside to Play

Eeensy Weensy Spider

Humpty Dumpty

This is the Way the Lady Rides

Book – Duckies’ Rainbow by Frances Barry

“Wheels on the Bus” from Toddlers on Parade by Carol Totsky Hammett

Teddy Bear Teddy Bear

Noble Duke of York

ABC Song

Literacy Tip: Hearing the ABC Song helps young children begin to learn the alphabet. Babies certainly don’t need to know the alphabet yet, but it’s not too early for them to hear the song and begin to learn that letters have names. You can clap as you sing to make the song extra special.

Rhythm Instruments to “Shake Those Bells” from Kids Make Music, Babies Make Music Too!

“Shake My Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs by Raffi

Birthdays - Family Storytime - January 5, 2011

2011-01-02T10:05:00.000-08:00

Hello Everybody – welcome song

Literacy Tip: Today’s literacy tip is to talk to your child about books as you read them. You don’t need to read a book word for word. It’s good to sometimes ask questions and talk about the books as you read. Some books naturally lend themselves to asking questions and talking. Our first book today, The Birthday Box by Leslie Patricelli is a book like that. The book itself asks questions.

The Birthday Box by Leslie Patricelli

Make a Wish – fingerplay
Big Chocolate Cake
(make circle with arms)
Ice cream in a dish
(cup hands)
Here are the candles
(wiggle fingers)
Now make a wish!
(blow on fingers and make into fists)

Ask Mr. Bear by Marjorie Flack

“Candles on a Cake” - fingerplay
Five little candles on a birthday cake,
Each one shining brightly, “See the light we make!”
I blew (whoo) one candle out.
Counting 1, 2, 3, 4
Saying “please , oh please, let me blow some more!”
I blew (whoo) and blew (whoo),
And those lights went out.
And then there were just 1 and 2.
Two tiny candles burning, “This is fun!”
I blew again (whoo) and then there was 1.
I took one last, loud blow: (whoooo)
And then there were none.

Color Balloons – Flannel Board

Wolf’s Coming by Joe Kulka

Hokey-Pokey

Don’t Spill the Beans by Ian Schoenherr

Sing “Happy Birthday” song

“Wave Goodbye”

Babytime - January 6, 2011

2011-01-02T09:09:00.000-08:00

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Baby’s Fingers

Uncle John

Pat-a-Cake

Tall as a Tree

Literacy Tip:
If you come to Baby Time on a regular basis, you’ll notice that we repeat the same rhymes frequently from week to week. Repetition is how babies learn best. Recent brain science has verified the importance of repetition for babies and children. Here’s a quote from the early literacy expert Saroj Ghoting about the importance of repetition.“It is repetition that keeps these connections between brain cells and makes them strong. So at home or in the car, do these rhymes and songs over and over again." (Ghoting p. 71)

Book – Ten Tiny Tickles by Karen Katz

Bumping Up and Down from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Slowly, Slowly

They’re a Part of Me

Noble Duke of York

Rhythm Instruments to “Shake Those Bells” from Kids Make Music, Babies Make Music Too!

“Shake My Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs by Raffi

Babytime - November 30, 2010

2010-11-30T09:14:00.000-08:00

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Baby’s Fingers

Eensy Weensy Spider

Wiggle Your Fingers and Toes

Row, Row, Row You Boat

Book – Snuggle Wuggle by Jonathan London

Literacy Tip: When you choose books to read with your baby, choose books that you love! If you love the book your baby will enjoy it too. Enjoying books is the foundation of one of the six early literacy skills known as “Print Motivation.”

Bumping Up and Down from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Fee Fi Fo Fum

Uncle John

Baa Baa Black Sheep

Humpty Dumpty

Pat-a-Cake

“Shake My Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs by Raffi

Babytime - November 23, 2010

2010-11-23T11:18:00.000-08:00

"Hello" from Makin’ Music: Come Outside to Play

Eensy Weensy Spider

Cheek Chin

Noble Duke of York

Tall as a Tree

Literacy Tip: “The book we’re going to read to today has lots of fun sounds, like “beep” and “boom” and “shh.” Books with sounds are a wonderful way for babies to learn the sounds in our language. Learning the sounds of is called phonological awareness. It’s an important skill for children to develop before they learn to read some day.”

Book – The Baby Goes Beep by Rebecca O’Connell

"Wheels on the Bus" from Toddlers on Parade by Carol Totsky Hammett

ABC Song

Clap Clap Clap

They’re a Part of Me

Slowly, Slowly

“Shake My Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs by Raffi

Chicken Storytime - November 22, 2010

2010-11-23T09:22:00.000-08:00

Hello Everybody

Bob by Tracey Campbell Pearson

If You’re a Rooster and You Know it crow like this Cock-a-doodle-doo
If you’re a cat and you know it…
If you’re a dog and you know it…
If you’re a cow and you know it…
If you’re a frog and you know it…

Stuck in the Mud by Jane Clarke

Pretend you’re stuck in the mud – movement

Literacy Tip: "Narrative Skills is an early literacy skill that focuses on the children being able to tell stories themselves. Reading folktales is a great way to help children develop narrative skills. The predictablility, strong sequencing and repetition that is in folktales like The Little Red Hen helps children retell stories on their own and learn the narrative skills they will need before they learn to read on their own."

The Little Red Hen by Byron Barton

This Little Chick (finger rhyme)
This little chick had corn today (point to one finger on each line)
This little chick ate all the hay
This little chick said he wasn’t well
And this little chick said he’d go tell
But this little chick said “Peep! Peep! Peep!
Please be quiet! I’m trying to sleep!”

If you’re a chicken and you know it cluck like this…
scratch…
peck…

Minerva Louise and the Red Truck by Janet Morgan Stoeke

One, Two Buckle My Shoe

Wave Good-bye Rhyme

Yummy Food Family Storytime - November 10, 2010

2010-11-10T19:43:00.000-08:00

Hello Everybody (action song)

The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Pop-up Book) by Eric Carle

Literacy Tip:
You’ll notice that in storytime we do a lot of rhyming books and rhymes. Rhyming is a wonderful way to develop phonological awareness. Phonological awareness is the understanding that words are made up of different sounds. Playing with those sounds helps build the foundation for reading later on.

Jelly on My Head
(touch parts on the body)
Jelly on my head, jelly on my toes
Jelly on my shirt, jelly on my nose
Jelly on my belly, jelly is my favorite food
And when I’m in a jelly mood
I can’t get enough
Of that yummy, yummy stuff!

The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear (big book) by Don & Audrey Wood

Literacy Tip: Pointing out letters is a great way to develop Letter Recognition. Children gradually learn letters by seeing them and having them pointed out in many different environments. You don’t need to use flashcards. You can point out letters all around you at different times and in different ways. This song gives us a way to point out letters and develop Letter Recognition.

P-I-Z-Z-A (flannel song)
(Sing to “B-I-N-G-O”)

I had a pizza big and round
And all of it was mine-O
P-I-Z-Z-A…
And all of it was mine-O!

I had a pizza that I shared
One piece went to my brother.
P-I-Z-Z-A…
But all the rest was mine-O!

(Repeat with sister, mother & father)

I had a pizza that I shared
One piece is all I’m left –O.
P-I-Z-Z-A…
And now that piece is gone-O.

"Ketchup" from Goin' to the Zoo by Tom Paxton (dance the Twist to the music)

More Spaghetti, I Say! (big book) by Rita Gelman

“Muffin Man” from 150 Toddler Tunes by Sara Diamond (march and pretend playing trumpets to the song)

I’m a Little Teapot (action rhyme)

Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson

Wave Goodbye (action rhyme)
Wave high,
Wave low,
I think it’s time,
We gotta go.
Wave your elbows,
Wave your toes,
Wave your tongue,
And wave your nose.
Wave your knees,
Wave your lips,
Blow a kiss
With your fingertips.
Wave your ears,
Wave your hair,
Wave your belly
And derriere.
Wave your chin,
Wave your eye,
Wave your hand
And say goodbye.

Babytime November 9, 2010

2010-11-09T10:55:00.001-08:00

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Baby’s Fingers

The Noble Duke of York

Wiggle Your Fingers and Toes

Teddy Bear Teddy Bear

Book – We’ve All Got Bellybuttons by David Martin

“Six Little Ducks” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi

Baa Baa Black Sheep

Baby’s Hokey Pokey

Cheek, Chin

Humpty Dumpty

“Shake My Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs by Raffi

Grandparents Storytime for Preschoolers - November 2, 2010

2010-11-03T19:56:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody (song)

Literacy Tip: Sometimes when you read a book, point out and follow the words of the title with your finger. This will help develop “Print Awareness” which is your child’s knowledge about how books and print work.

What Grandma’s Do Best – Laura Numeroff

Two Fine Grandpas (fingerplay)
Two fine grandpas met in our den. (hold up thumbs)
Bowed most politely. (bend one thumb)
Bowed once again. (bend other thumb)
How do you do? How to you do?
And how do you do again? (bend thumbs)

Over the River and Through the Woods – Rex Perry

The Wheels on the Bus (action song)
Add verses:
Grandpas on the bus snore, snore snore
And
Grandmas on the bus knit, knit, knit

Off We Go! by Jane Yolen

Grandma’s Spectacles (fingerplay)
These are grandmother’s spectacles. (make circles around eyes with fingers)
This is grandmother’s hat. (use both hands to cup head)
This is the way she folds her hands. (fold hands)
And puts them in her lap. (put hands in lap)

B-I-N-G-O (flannel board & song: use Grandpa instead of Farmer)

Literacy Tip: Pointing out letters helps your child develop letter recognition. You can do that with something fun like this song, you can do it occasionally with a book or you can do it in with toys like magnetic letters.

The Grandma Book by Todd Parr

I’m a Little Teapot (action rhyme)

The Grandpa Book by Todd Parr

Down on Grandpa’s Farm from 150 Toddler Tunes by Sara Maxine Diamond

Grandma Ribbity’s Visit by Barry Smith

Wave Goodbye

Babytime November 2, 2010

2010-11-03T19:35:00.000-07:00

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi
Where is thumbkin?
Row row row your boat
Open Shut Them
Teddy Bear Teddy Bear
Book – Who Says Woof by John Butler
“Wheels on the Bus” from Toddlers on Parade by Carol Totsky Hammett
Noble Duke of York
Pat-a-Cake
This is the way the lady rides
Humpty Dumpty
“Shake My Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs by Raffi

Babytime October 19, 2010

2010-11-03T19:31:00.000-07:00

“Hello” from Makin’ Music: Come Outside to Play
Slowly, Slowly
Baby’s Hokey Pokey
Eensy Weensy Spider
Tall as a Tree
Book – You and Me Baby by Lynn Reiser
"Six Little Ducks" from Makin’ Music: Come Outside to Play
Pease Porridge Hot
Teddy Bear, Teddy
Humpty Dumpty
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
“Shake My Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs by Raffi

Babytime October 12, 2010

2010-11-03T19:25:00.000-07:00

“The More We Get Together” from Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi
Slowly, Slowly
Row, Row, Row You Boat
Eensy Weensy Spider
Cheek, Chin
BOOK – In the Small, Small Pond by Fleming
“Wheels on the Bus” from Toddlers on Parade by Carol Totsky Hammett
Uncle John
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Pat-A-Cake
Teddy Bear Teddy Bear
“Peek-a-boo”from Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta Funsies 1 by Katherine Dines scarf music & play
“Shake My Sillies Out” from More Singable Songs by Raffi

Back to Storytime!

2010-11-03T19:24:00.000-07:00

After a long hiatus I'm back to doing storytimes and loving it!

Penguin Storytime

2009-12-12T16:07:00.000-08:00

"Hello Everybody" song

Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester

“In the Land of Ice and Snow” action rhyme
In the land of ice and snow (shiver and say “brrr!)
Where the freezing, cold winds blow (blow)
Lives a bird who’s quite a sight (make circles with fingers and put to eyes like binoculars)
With his suit of black and white. (run hands along side of body)
He can swim, but he can’t fly. (make swimming motions)
The penguin is a funny guy.

The Little Penguin by A.J. Wood

“Five Perky Penguins” (use stick puppets or flannel board)
Five perky Penguins stood on the shore. One went for a swim and then there were four.

Four Perky penguins looked out to sea. One went swimming and then there were three.

Three perky penguins, "What can we do?" One jumped in the water and then there were two.

Two perky penguins sat in the sun. One swam off and then there was one.

One perky penguin said,"This is no fun!' He dived in the water and then there were none.

Penguins, Penguins, Everywhere! by Bob Barner

“If You’re a Penguin and You Know It Waddle Like This” (Sing to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” Waddle as you sing.)

Literacy Tip:

Those of you who attend my storytimes probably have noticed that I use the tune “If You’re Happy and You Know It” almost every week. I use different words and actions depending on the theme, but the tune is the same. There has been discussion among librarians recently about the importance of repetition for children. Here’s a quote from the early literacy expert Saroj Ghoting about the importance of repetition.

"Children learn by repetition. Infants and young children have the most active brains. The more stimulation they receive from their environment-what they see, hear, touch, taste, and smell-the more connections are made between brain cells. After a while there are so many connections that the ones that are not used are pruned. It is repetition that keeps these connections between brain cells and makes them strong. So at home or in the car, do these rhymes and songs over and over again." (Ghoting p. 71)

From: Ghoting, Saroj Nadkarni and Pamela Martin-Diaz. Early literacy storytimes @ your library. Chicago, IL: American Library Association, 2006.

A Penguin Story by Antoinette Portis

“Waddle Penguins” from Animal Groove CD by James Coffey

Busy Penguins by John Schindel

"We Are Leaving" song

More Things That Go

2009-11-28T08:46:00.000-08:00

“Hello Everybody” song

Rattletrap Car by Phyllis Root

“This is the Way We Drive a Car” – action song
This is the way we turn the key, turn the key, turn the key, this is the way we turn the key, to start the engine.
This is the way we step on the gas, step on the gas, step on the gas, this is the way we step on the gas, to make the car go fast.
This is the way we steer the car, steer the car, steer the car, this is the way we steer the car to turn around the corner.
This is the way we drive the car, drive the car, drive the car, this is the way we drive the car, all through the town.

Going to Grandma’s Farm by Betsy Franco

Literacy Tip: Parents, find times to point out letters and say their names. You can do this sometimes with a book, with signs you see, with menus, or in a more planned way like we’ll do in this next song. Don’t make it a chore. Make it fun!

“T-R-U-C-K” song
Sing to the tune of B-I-N-G-O. Point to letters on the pictures – or use flannel letters.
There is something that really goes and truck is its name-o
T-R-U-C-K
T-R-U-C-K
T-R-U-C-K
And truck is its name-o.

There is something that goes choo-choo and train is its name-o
T-R-A-I-N
T-R-A-I-N
T-R-A-I-N
And train is its name-o

There is something that really flies and plane is its name-o
P-L-A-N-E
P-L-A-N-E
P-L-A-N-E
And plane is its name-o

This is the Van that Dad Cleaned by Lisa Campbell Ernst

“Toot, Toot, Chugga, Chugga, Big Red Car” from Live Hot Potatoes! by The Wiggles – dance with maracas

Old, New, Red, Blue! by Melissa Lagonegro

“If you like cars and you know it” action song
Sing to “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

“We Are Leaving” song

Coloring Page from: http://www.coloring.ws/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.coloring.ws/transportation/car11.gif

Trucks Storytime

2009-11-14T09:22:00.000-08:00

Hello Everybody song

Literacy Tip: Help promote a love of books and reading by reading books about things your child loves. If your child loves trucks, read books about trucks. If your child loves horses, read books about horses. Try to find books that fit into your child’s interests and he or she will quickly develop a love a reading. This skill is called “Print Motivation.” Today we honor all of our “truck lovers” with books all about trucks.

Truckery Rhymes by Jon Scieszka

Sing action songs in the book:
“The Three Loud Trucks”
“Rock-a-bye Mixer”
“This is the Way We Scoop the Dirt”
“The Wheels on the Truck”

“Mr. Trucker” from Mr. Stinky Feet’s Road Trip by Jim Cosgrove

Literacy Tip: Sometimes when you read a book, point out and follow the words on the page with your finger. This will help develop “Print Awareness” which is your child’s knowledge about how books and print work. Children need to learn that print on a page goes from left to right and top to bottom. You can help children learn this by sometimes following the words on a page with your finger. Certain books like Roadwork by Sally Sutton especially lend themselves to teaching this skill by having large, bold words printed on the pages that are easy to point out and follow.

Roadwork by Sally Sutton

“Old MacDonald Had a Truck”
Wheels – spin
Horn – honks
Steering Wheel – turns
Wipers – flap

A Truck Goes Rattley – Bumpa by Jonathan London

We Are Leaving song

Coloring Page from http://www.coloring.ws/trucks.htm

Favorites Storytime

2009-11-03T10:10:00.000-08:00

Hello Everybody

Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell

Literacy Tip: Hold up Clifford the Big Red Dog book and ask. “Does anybody know who this dog is?” Say: “Grown-ups, when you read books about characters your children know from TV or when you read books about things your children really like, like sports or dinosaurs, you are enforcing Print Motiviation. Print Motiviation is the early literacy skill of liking books and wanting to read.”

“If You’re a Dog and You Know It” action song

Counting Cards

“This Old Man” action rhyme

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff

“If You’re Happy and You Know It” action song

Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? By Bill Martin

Animals Learn & Slide Flash Cards

My Little Mother Goose a Golden Book
Hickory Dickory Dock
Humpty Dumpty

“At Your Library” music CD by Bill Harley. Dance with maracas.

“We Are Leaving” song

Coloring Page from: http://www.dltk-teach.com/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.dltk-teach.com/rhymes/hickory/bhickoryb2.gif

Halloween Storytime

2009-10-31T10:31:00.000-07:00

No specific Early Literacy Tips today. Just Fun! Print Motivation all the way!

The Haunted Ghoul Bus by Lisa Trumbauer

Five Little Pumpkins flannel and fingerplay

Spooky, Spooky, Spooky! by Cathy MacLennan

1 Little, 2 Little, 3 Little Witches song with stick puppets

Halloween by Harry Behn

Witches’ Brew from Witches’ Brew by Hap Palmer

Fly, Ghost, Fly! by Betty Ann Schwartz

There’s a Spider on the Floor song with stick puppets

Monster Mash dance from Kids Pop Halloween Hits

The Ghost Goes Boo! song

Trick or Treat through the library!