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

Last year, I shared my opening songs for all my storytimes. I'd like to start sharing my entire storytime for 2s and 3s each week. It makes more sense to talk about the opening separately as it stays the same.

I fell into my job as a children's librarian, so I didn't have much training in that aspect of librarianship. In all honesty, I was pretty clueless when it came to storytime. I had never attended one and didn't have any children at the time. As I worked at a small branch library, I didn't have the fortune of learning from veterans, either. My professional shelf of manuals was a life-saver, though I didn't know it at the time.

After I read one manual, several years into my career, I devoured them all and even asked for the library to order more. Storytimes for two-year-olds by Judy Nichols changed the way I planned storytime.

Opening

1. Come with me! entering the story space and getting settled

I use a train whistle to alert parents and children it is time to enter the storytime room.

This doesn't look like the one I use, I just love ladybugs!

I hold the door open and welcome everyone, by name to practice for our song, and ask them to have a seat on the big puzzle we use as mat. After everyone is in, I make my way to the front and shake my tambourine while singing "Hello, Everybody".

2. Look at me! refocusing toddler's attention on you

After singing, I introduce myself and say we are going to have fun, tell stories, sing songs and play games. "But the first thing we do, so you can be super good listeners today is pass out the listening dust." I use a homemade wand with ribbons to sprinkle it in their hands. The ribbon tickles.

3. Do with me! a participation activity done with you

"The More We Get Together" is a classic song I didn't use for the longest time because I thought it was a cliche. That's just silly! It's so popular because it's a fantastic song that screams childhood. The children pat their legs with me for the first verse, then we sing all their names and finally do a super fast verse that ends in giggles. I didn't realize it at the time, but the other libraries in town use a version of the song, too. One branch uses a Caribbean version and the other a hip-hop one.

4. Watch me do! directing children's attention elsewhere yet still under your control

I use a simple flannel board activity to introduce the theme for the day. So for community helpers, I'd put up a letter flannel and ask them what it is. Then, I'd put up the mailman piece and ask what a person is called who delivers the mail. Then, I'd put up the word.

And that routine is the one I use each week. Please read Judy Nichols' book for more ideas and explanations of each  one as well as thematic books and ideas. 

Storytime: Openings

Getting storytime started on the right note is essential for a successful session. My favorite part of storytime is singing. Who actually gets to sing at their job, aside from rock stars and opera singers? Why say it when you can sing it? I use a couple of different songs for each age group. Toddlers tend to watch, while preschoolers interact.


"Hello Ev'rybody" from Hello Everybody: Playsongs and Rhymes from a Toddler's World by Rachel Buchman. I use the tune and some of the words by Rachel, but use a tambourine instead of a guitar.

Hello, everybody, yes, indeed,
Yes, indeed, yes, indeed.
Hello, everybody, yes, indeed,
Yes, indeed, my darlings.

My name is Courtney, yes, indeed,
Yes, indeed, yes, indeed.
My name is Courtney, yes, indeed,
Yes, indeed, my darlings.

It's time for stories, yes, indeed,
Yes, indeed, yes, indeed.
It's time for stories, yes, indeed,
Yes, indeed, my darlings.

I can add more verses until everyone is settled and seated. This is very helpful if you usually have late-comers. I begin every storytime, regardless of age, with "Hello, Ev'rybody." It adds unity to the whole program and is comforting for those transitioning into an older group.


My other goal for the introduction is for everyone to learn each other's names. For the babies and toddlers we say the rhyme "Rum, Pum, Pum" from
Mother Goose on the Loose by Betsy Diamant-Cohen. You can use a tambourine or another drum. I use one of the handheld drums that looks like a lollipop.

Rum, pum, pum, this is my drum.
Rum, pum, pum, this is my drum.
My name is Courtney.
What's your name?

Then, we go around the circle and tap out the syllables of each baby or toddler's name. For the toddler group, ages 2 and 3, we sing "The More We Get Together" traditional song with just a little twist. We start by patting our knees to get the rhythm.

The more we get together, together, together,
The more we get together,
The happier we'll be.
For your friends are my friends,
and my friends are your friends,
The more we get together,
The happier we'll be.

With (names of all children, including siblings).
The more we get together, the happier we'll be.


Then, we repeat the first verse super fast while clapping our hands. I say the names of the children, but the parents usually join in after a few weeks. I use an interactive name game with the preschoolers, ages 3 to 5. "Bibbity-bobbity Bumblebee" is a traditional rhyme, but I use Sharron Krull's version with a bee puppet to engage the children. I start by introducing Mr. Bee, ask the children what noise he says, and ask them to say hello to him in bee language (buzz). Then, we pat our legs in rhythm.

Bippoty, boppity, bumblebee,
Can you say your name for me?

Can everyone say (child's name)?
Pat it, clap it, buzz it.

After we buzz the child's name, we go onto the next person. I give everyone a chance each week. If the child is shy, the parent will volunteer the name or I'll say it if I know it. I always give them a chance to say it themselves each week. Most of the time, they will eventually say the name themselves, but it may take a month. I also give the children with only one syllable a GIANT pat, clap and buzz, so they don't feel left out or cheated. Finally, we say good-bye to Mr. Bee and introduce the theme of the week.