Today was the first time I re-used a Toddler Time theme! I did construction at my last branch at the beginning of the summer, right before I transferred. It’s such a popular and cool theme, I did it again! I think the second time was actually much more successful, so hey, I’m learning!
Opening Song: My Hands Say Hello
Nursery Rhyme: Hickory Dickory Dock and Diddle Diddle Dumpling
Opening Fingerplay: Open Them, Shut Them
Book: What Can a Crane Pick Up? by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
The only book I reused from my last construction toddler time was What Can A Crane Pick Up? This was the most silent group of toddlers I’ve ever seen! I definitely think that this book does especially well with the older toddlers and their preschool siblings. But the rhyme is so fun that even the younger toddlers are happy enough.
Action Song:
Reused this from my last building toddler time. Easy and effective – although I wish I had done my crane action rhyme after my crane book! D’oh!
This is the way we stack our bricks,
stack our bricks,
stack our bricks.
This is the way we stack our bricks,
So we can build a house!
(Saw the wood, paint the walls/and now we have a house!)
Book: I’m Dirty by Kate and Jim McMullan
Love love love this book! I think preschoolers would enjoy it a little more, since they would understand the humor a tad bit better. There’s enough action and sounds in this one to keep everyone interested, though.
Action Rhyme: Cranes Reach Up
Another action rhyme I reused from last time. We did it twice, because I’m trying to get more participation and a mom suggested it. Super short and fun!
Cranes reach up,
Cranes reach down,
Cranes reach out,
And all around!
Action Rhyme:
I found an awesome PDF from the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives that had this action rhyme. We only did the first verse, because it’s kind of looooong.
We stack the blocks one by one,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We stack the blocks one by one,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We stack the blocks one by one,
We are having so much fun
Then they all go tumbling down
To the ground
Boom Boom Boom!
Storytime Song: If You Want to Hear a Story
Trying out if you want to hear a story as the segue to our last book as a regular thing, and it’s working really well!
If you want to hear a story, clap your hands!
If you want to hear a story, clap your hands!
If you want to hear a story, if you want to hear a story, if you want to hear a story,
Clap your hands!
(sit right down, be very quiet)
Book: Tip Tip Dig Dig by Emma Garcia
Saved my shortest book for last – attention spans are only so long! Emma Garcia is clearly a storytime winner. What I really really like about this book is the large format and the bright illustrations.
Shaker Songs: We’re Going to Kentucky and Shake Your Shakers High
Song: Rum Pum Pum
Goodbye Song: Goodbye, Goodbye I’ll See You Soon
I had a lot of fun with the storytime, and great attention from the toddlers. It’s really cool to see toddlers who were SO WIGGLY when I started a little over a month ago getting into the groove of storytimes, learning the songs, and being able to sit still for the books. One of my awesome regulars had a grandma who was in town and come with her. It makes me so happy to see grandparents and parents who don’t normally come with their kiddos making storytime part of their vacation activities.
hushlander 