We usually have a full room with anywhere up to 26 people. Once we reach the 26 mark, we encourage parents to come to the next storytime at 10:00. Our current storytime numbers are at a record high!
Early Literacy Tip
I try to include a small definition of an early literacy tip each week. This week we talked about talking! I said, "Today all of our books are going to involve talking! Talking is one of the easiest and most important things you can do with your child. Talking to your child helps increase their vocabulary, conversation skills, and increases their knowledge of the world around them."
Opening Song
Hands Are Clapping
This has been the storytime opening song since I started and it works lovely with toddlers!
Book
Hurry! Hurry! by Eve Bunting
This is a perfect toddler storytime book. There are opportunities to count, make animal noises, and make predictions about what is happening!
Rhyme/Movement
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Book
Where Is Baby's Belly Button by Karen Katz
This is a wonderful lift-the-flap book. You can get the little ones up and moving and recognizing body parts with you.
Rhyme/Movement
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
This is a perfect rhyme to do after my last book. Since it is difficult for my toddlers to process what each body part is and then find it on their body, we sing this really really slow. However, as the storytime session goes along, I begin singing this song a little bit faster each time. By the end of the session, I am usually singing the song at normal speed and all of my little ones are following right along!
Early literacy Tip
Parents feel free to talk to your little one about what is occurring in the books. Talking is a fun and interactive way to help your child think about the story and understand what is happening!
Peekaboo Puppy! by Beth Harwood
At this point the children were a little restless, but asked for more books. I always keep one really short book with me for instances like this. This is a very quick board book with only about 7 pages and has lots of opportunity for interaction. I kept them guessing, moving, and making noise the entire time for this book.
Rhyme/Movement
Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands
Rhyme/Movement
Roly-Poly
My little ones were very wiggly at this point, so we did this rhyme 3 times sitting down. By the end they were quiet little angels!
Book
Tuck Me In
This is a sweet book where each animal needs to be tucked in by turning the page/blanket. I think having children take turns, while chaotic, is great for this age group. It helps them learn patience, sharing, and sequences. I started the book by describing that our baby animals were very sleepy and they needed to be tucked in. Only children who were sitting nicely would be able to help tuck the baby in. This works for usually about 75% of them. Some are too excited to sit, and they always get a turn regardless. This is a great book because after each child everyone waves goodnight to the baby animal and says shhhhhhh. Its a very soothing end to storytime.
Early Literacy Tip
In the closing tip, I always praise the group for being such good talkers/singers/readers, etc. I then try to say at least one thing they can do at home to continue building early literacy skills at home.
"Taking a walk, grocery shopping, or driving are all great times to talk about the things around you and what is occurring. This helps build you child's vocabulary and general knowledge. Talk to your little one as much as you can! Your voice is a soothing and wonderful thing for them to hear."
Closing Song
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
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