TODDLER STORYTIME

Inspired by Storytime Katie, I thought I’d try out a new theme this week.  Katie put together a great storytime plan for preschoolers (check it out here), so I decided to adapt it and create a plan for my toddler group.

OPENING SONG: The More We Get Together

OPENING RHYMES:

• Open, Shut Them
• Two Little Blackbirds

BOOK 1: Hello! Is This Grandma? By Ian Whybrow

This book is incredibly cute and has fold-out pages (always fun!); however, I think it was a little long for my group.  I would suggest using Hello Baby! by Mem Fox or Hello, Snow! by Hope Vestergaard for a toddler crowd.

ACTION SONG: Hello Everybody!
from Carole Peterson’s album, Sticky Bubble Gum…and Other Tasty Tunes 

FINGERPLAY: Where is Thumbkin?

Where is Thumbkin? Hands behind back
Where is Thumbkin?
Here I am! Right hand comes out with thumb
Here I am! Left hand comes out with thumb
How are you today sir? Move right thumb as if talking
Very well I thank you. Move left thumb as if talking
Run away. Right hand behind back
Run away. Left hand behind back

BOOK 2: Hello, Day! By Anita Lobel

Simple text, brilliant pictures, and lots of animal sounds = the perfect storytime book!

FLANNELBOAD: Can We Find?

For this flannel board I used a free printable from Wondertime. 

Hide a pink pig, brown cow and rooster under 3 barns. Look for each one after singing the refrain.  Greet each item with a HELLO after finding.  Then have everyone tell the animal GOODBYE and put it away.

Tune: The Muffin Man

Can we find a pink pig?
A pink pig? A pink pig?
Can we find a pink pig?
We want to say HELLO!
Credit: Storytime Katie

SONG: Now It’s Time to Say Goodbye to All Our Friends
Tune: “She’ll Be Comin’ Around the Mountain”

Now it’s time to say goodbye to all our friends, “Goodbye!”
clap hands to beat and wave during ‘goodbye’
Now it’s time to say goodbye to all our friends, “Goodbye!”
Now it’s time to say goodbye,
Wave your hands,
Wink your eye,
Now it’s time to say goodbye to all our friends, “Goodbye!”
Credit: Miss Cathy’s Corner

CLOSING SONG: Goodbye
MP3: from Old Town School of Folk’s album, Songs for Wiggleworms

CRAFT: Hello, Goodbye Elephant

I made this “Hello, Goodby Elephant” for the craft, and I think it turned out pretty cute.  (I got a chuckle from the grown-ups when I turned it to the “goodbye” side.)  There’s a printable in color, if you just want to cut and glue.  I used the black and white version for storytime so that the children could color their own….And they are always way more creative than I am.  While my elephant was plain ol’ gray, their elephants were all colors of the rainbow!  Beautiful!

Hello, Goodbye Elephant – Color

Hello, Goodbye Elephant – Black and White

Instructions:  Print template (I used regular paper, but you could also use cardstock.)  Cut “hello” and “goodbye” elephants to same size square.  Color elephants. Using a glue stick, glue elephants to front and back of a jumbo popsicle stick.