Storytime: Endings for 2- & 3-year-olds

I just posted about the opening routine for 2s and 3s. I also use the same closing routine each week.

1. Name Tag Removal

After singing a lull-a-bye, I ask the children to bring up their name tags and I exchange them with a handout. I used to have tags that accompanied the theme and would make new ones every five weeks. Lately, I've laminated happy faces and use a Sharpie so I can erase them and re-use them each session.

2. Fingertaster

Miss Fiona

What is a fingertaster? According to to Nichols, a fingertaster is a puppet who is very shy and has no teeth. She loves to lick fingers. The first time I introduce Miss Fiona, I let her peek out and hide until the children are very quiet. I tell them she's shy, "Do you know what that means? Do you feel shy sometimes?" Then, I ask a parent to have their finger tasted. The tastes can have something to do with the theme or just be silly. After everyone has a turn, it's time for Fiona to go back in her house and take a nap. Before she leaves, she gives each child a kiss on the hand.

Good-Bye Song: If You're Happy and You Know It

Endings: Farewell, Au Revoir, Adios

Goodbyes are one of the hardest parts of being a child. If you are having a good time, you don't want it to end. After all, it may never happen again. If you have no real sense of time, a week might as well be forever. Ending the storytime on a happy note is just as important as the beginning. As storytime teacher, it is my responsibility to curb meltdowns whenever possible. I do this by having a 5 minute wind-down routine and ending with a craft. I really think the craft is the best way to transition the children out the door.


During the regular season, I pass out name tags outside the storytime room before we all come in together. My closing routine begins with collecting the nametags and trading them for the handout of the week. I've tried lots of different formats and information on the handouts. I've settled on listing the songs we've sung and where you can get the words and music, writing out 1 or 2 fingerplays, listing the books we shared and sharing one early education tip. I leave lots of white space and use one illustration.

Then we share one last song or rhyme before craft time. For the babies and toddlers I sing "Can You Kick with Two Feet" from Mother Goose on the Loose by Betsy Diamant-Cohen.

Can you kick with two feet? Two feet? Two feet?
Can you kick with two feet? Kick, kick, kick, kick, kick.

Can you clap with two hands? Two hands? Two hands?
Can you clap with two hands? Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.

Can you kiss with two lips? Two lips? Two lips?
Can you kiss with two lips? Kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss.

Can you wave bye-bye? Bye-bye? Bye-bye?
Can you wave bye-bye? BYE-BYE!

The parents usually help with the actions for the smaller ones. If the craft I have planned for the older children is too messy, difficult or toxic, I put out toys and let the parents and children play. Sometimes, we make keepsakes especially around holidays.

For the toddler class, ages 2 and 3, I use an adaptation of a favorite "If You're Happy and You Know It." This class is usually up and moving for most of the time.

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands to really show it!
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands

If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet
If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet
If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet to really show it!
If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet

If you're happy and you know it, wave bye-bye
If you're happy and you know it, wave bye-bye
If you're happy and you know it, wave bye-bye to really show it!
If you're happy and you know it, wave bye-bye

Then, it is time for crafts. We make something related to the theme of the week. I also try to incorporate different skills and art forms. One week, we may cut and glue. The next week, we may glue and color. The next, we may paint with sponges or fingers. The last week, we may use watercolors and stickers. The process is much more important than the end result. Once the child has finished, they are usually ready to leave. The toddler group will take about 5 minutes to complete a craft. Then, they are ready to play in our wonderful children's area.

The preschoolers are a different story. After we finish our "Touch Rhyme" and move onto the craft, we have pandemonium. Well, I may be exagerrating, but just a little. The preschoolers, ages 3 to 5, are artistic tornadoes. They usually take at least 15 minutes to complete the craft. Sometimes, they make plans to continue the art project at home. The result is usually more of a focus on the end product than the process for this age. They want something to take home to display with pride.

Touch your nose, touch your chin
That's the way the game begins
Point to your eyes, point to your knees,
Now pretend like you're gonna sneeze
Touch your ears, touch your hair,
Touch your lips, just right there
Touch your elbow, where it bends,
Jump right up and say, "The End!"

I've searched for the origin of this rhyme, but found it cited on several kindergarten and preschool sites. It may be a traditional? I changed some of the words and added my own silly motions. The end!