Tot School (Age Four)

Beginning sounds alphabet puzzle. We worked on it together practicing the sounds.

Memory match game. The illustrations in this game remind me of Sandra Boynton books.

Rhythm instruments. Bobo's been showing interest in Daddy's band practice, so this tray was a favorite.

Power Ranger Trouble. Great activity for counting and fine motor skills.

Create a snowman sticker set. The sheets came with several options and said re-usable, but I'm not sure they will come off easily. 

Letter Fish lacing. This tray was used least. Bobo used the rope for imaginative play with his figures more than anything.

Storytime has been on break for a month, so we brought home a kit for Jungle Animals from the library. The directions say to read the books, listen to the music and make a paper-chain snake.

I share with Tot School and Tuesday Tots.

PJ Storytime: Winter Theme

PJ Storytime is an event I host annually at the library. Children wear their pajamas and bring stuffed animals, pillows and blankets to listen to stories, sing songs and play.

Half the room before I began

This year, I planned a winter themed extravaganza.

Robert Sabuda is an amazing pop-up book master. The Christmas Alphabet is a beautiful rendering all in white. It is an excellent choice for a large group because it becomes interactive with the children trying to guess what's behind each letter.

Lift-the-flap books also work well as a participatory book experience. What could be baking in the oven or wrapped under the tree? Maisy is a recognizable character for library patrons.

I opted for a simple flannel activity with movement this year. Add a couple of fingerplays, the "Winter Pokey" and some singing with rhythm instruments and you have a complete storytime. Then, it's time for crafts and games!

The penguin toss game is a favorite with all ages. The toddlers love to go right up to the penguin and feed him.

Ice fishing with laminated fish covered in paperclips and fishing poles with strong magnets attached to the end. The packing peanuts are the ice.

Let it snow with a parachute and white cotton balls and loofahs.

I found some nutcracker soldier ornaments at Hobby Lobby. The black outlines and details are made from a fuzzy, velvety texture. You just color them with markers.

The paper plate snowman lacing, which I found on Pinterest, proved too difficult for most of the crowd. The Christmas magnets I found at the Dollar Tree last minute were just right, though.

I also invited the big man for a visit. I have him come during the last half hour of the evening when the games are still going strong. Then, if children are frightened or too old to visit with Santa, they have a pleasant alternative. Another fantastic PJ Storytime!

Sharing with TGIF and For the Kid's Friday.

Leaves Storytime

Opening

Fall Leaves Fall! is a great introduction to the facts of changing leaves. The story follows two brothers playing with their dog in the falling leaves.

"One Little Leaf" from alplchildrens.wordpress.com
One little leaf, (count on fingers)
Two little leaves,
Three little leaves today.
Four little leaves,
Five little leaves,
Blow them all away! (blow fingers and flutter them)

"Little Mouse and the Big Leaf" flannel story by Miss Courtney

"Leaves are Falling" sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques" from A Box Full of Tales by Kathy MacMillan.
Leaves are falling, leaves are falling,
On the ground, on the ground.
Rake them in a pile, rake them in a pile,
Jump right in! Jump right in!

I love books to be sung. They make the book inviting and encourage children and parents to sing along. The Leaves on the Trees by Thom Wiley can be sung to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus." It is a nice book to grab attention toward the end of a program.

Matching Activity: Flannel Leaves

Musical Instruments Activity: Egg Shakers
"Shake Together" from Mother Goose on the Loose by Betsy Diamant-Cohen.
We shake our shakers together,
Shake our shakers together,
Shake our shakers together, because it's fun to do.

"Leaves are Falling" sung to the tune of "Jingle Bells" adapted by Miss Courtney.
Leaves are falling, leaves are falling,
One fell on my nose.
Leaves are falling, leaves are falling,

Some fell on my toes.
Leaves are falling, leaves are falling,
One fell on my head.
Leaves are falling, leaves are falling,
Yellow, orange and red.

Parade Song: "Take a Hike" from Celebrate Seasons by Sara Jordan.

Lull-a-bye: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Closing Routine

Craft: Fingerpaint leaves. Children cut out tree trunks from brown construction paper. Use yellow, red, orange and green fingerpaints to decorate tree. Add stickers for flair.

Leaf lacing. Cut out a leaf shape of green construction paper and paste to cardboard piece. Punch large holes around the edge. Give each child a long piece of yarn to lace through the holes.

Fall Storytime

I'm finally sharing my 2- and 3-year-old storytimes! As the storytime sessions have ended until next year, I have a few weeks to catch up with posting. I present to you Fall...

Storytime Opening

People in Fall by Martha Rustad has simple text accompanied by photographs of children. It includes activities people do in the Fall because of the changing weather. It is an excellent series to use with toddlers as it shows items and actions they may be familiar with while also describing new things and vocabulary.

"The Floppy Scarecrow" action rhyme from preschooleducation.com.

The floppy, floppy scarecrow

Guards his fields all day.

He waves his floppy, floppy hands

To scare the crows away!

Additional verses: arms, toes, head, legs

Image from Storytime Secrets

"Five Brown Acorns" sung to the tune of "10 Green Bottles" from A Box Full of Tales by Kathy MacMillan.

Five brown acorns hanging on the tree,

Five brown acorns hanging on the tree,

And if one brown acorn should fall down to me,

There'll be four brown acorns hanging on the tree.

Repeat: 4, 3, 2, 1

"The Pumpkin Song" from A Box Full of Tales by Kathy MacMillan.

I had a little pumpkin,

I put it down just so, (squat)

And then I waved my magic wand

And it began to grow...and grow... (raise up)

And grow... and grow... and grow! (stretch arms overhead)

Additional verses: giant pumpkin and as quick as you can blink/shrink

Tiny pumpkin and put it down just so/grow/stop

Mouse's First Fall by Lauren Thompson follows Mouse through all of his first Fall activities. The Mouse series is another great option for toddlers. The illustrations are colorful and the text large. Mouse is an recognizable character with whom they can relate.

Squirrel and Nut matching game. I put up different color squirrels on the flannel board and hand out several color of nuts to each child. When I put up the color that matches the one they have, they can bring it up to the board and receive applause.

Musical Instruments/Scarves Activity: Scarves

"Wave Together" from Mother Goose on the Loose by Betsy Diamant-Cohen.

We wave our scarves together,

Wave our scarves together,

Wave our scarves together because it's fun to do.

"Owl in a Tree" sung to the tune of "Skip to My Lou" and I've lost the source for this one as I've used it for so many years. 

Owl in a tree says hoo, hoo, hoo.

Owl in a tree says hoo, hoo, hoo.

Owl in a tree says hoo, hoo, hoo.

Owl in a tree says peek-a-boo. (hold scarf in front of face)

"I'm a Little Scarecrow" sung to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot" by Miss Courtney.

I'm a little scarecrow stuffed with hay.

Here I stand in the field all day.

When I see the crows, I like to say,

"All you crows, go away!"

Parade Song: "I Love the Mountains" from Music Time for All Four Seasons by Robin Dupuis. 

"Away, Away" from Mother Goose on the Loose

Away, away, put our scarves away today.

Repeat until all scarves are collected.

Lull-a-bye: "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"

Closing Routine

Cinnamon-scented Acorn Craft. 

Pre-cut acorn shapes from brown construction paper. Mix brown tempera paint with cinnamon until it smells strongly. The acorns smell of cinnamon even after weeks of being dry! Mmmm, smells like Fall.

Messy Learning Lab: Water Beads for Babies

You may be thinking, "How can water be messy?" These activities are all water-based, so the clean-up is a breeze. Introducing water beads to the library is probably going to be my claim to fame. No one at the library has ever heard of these, which means none of them are reading my blog!

Me, being the Queen of Worry, placed the water bead bin on a regular height table. I repeatedly warned, "Do Not EAT this." I had nightmares prior to the event of the sweet babies being rushed to the emergency room. But after several minutes, I did this...

Thankfully, the parents were on top of security, I mean paying careful attention with this activity. I didn't want  the under three crowd to feel left out, so I made them "baby water beads."

I filled the other bin with enough water for the ball-pit balls to float.

See, there is no way that ball is fitting in that mouth!

The boys love water beads. Everyone survived and had a great time! I think my small town may run low on water beads for the next couple of months.

I'll be sharing more water-based, messy activities this week. In the other messy play room, I finally planned glow-in-the-dark sensory play. Don't miss it.

Sharing with Tuesday Tots and Kids Co-Op

What My Child is Reading

No Sleep for the Sheep! by Karen Beaumont is a lyrical bedtime ode to those having trouble sleeping. All the farm animals wake the sheep in the barn. They want to sleep in the barn, too. No Sleep is a great book to share at bedtime.

New Christmas books come out each year, so it's a challenge to find ones appropriate for preschoolers. A Child Was Born: A First Nativity Book by Grace Maccarone is a simple story with detailed illustrations about the birth of Jesus. We enjoyed the rhyming text and the familiar beginning, middle and end.

Our favorite book this week by far was a parody of Madeline, Frankenstein: A Monstrous Parady by Ludworst Bemonster. The rhymes and events are spot on for fans of Madeline. Bobo enjoyed the monster aspect for it. His favorite parts were about the little monsters wetting their beds and losing their heads. I'm adding it to my "must-reads" list for parents.

Tot School: Winter

We've spent several weeks decorating the house for the holidays. Here are our winter trays.

Holiday activity book purchased at the Dollar Tree with lots of preschool fun inside. The gingerbread cookie carrier is filled with foam Christmas shapes, great for sorting and creating artwork.

Bobo chose four sheets of window clings and four sheets of wall decals for the house. We are down to these two sheets for the windows. He's been very busy! He also cleans the windows before putting them up, hence the spray bottle (white vinegar and water).

Snowball fight with poms and tongs and adorable snowmen baskets (a gift).

Lacing with Christmas shapes and chenille sticks. Bobo likes to make bracelets.

Polar Express play dough activity, read and explore.

Polar bear fridge decorator. Bobo assembled it using the fridge as a canvas.

Sharing with Tot School and the Children's Bookshelf and Montessori Monday