Library Aims

Music and Nametags

As families enter, I play a themed playlist and write nametags for each participant. I make sure to greet everyone and tell them I am happy they are there. It is very important to get their names correct. I will ask them to spell it or ask their grown-up for help if needed. When we get started, I turn off the playlist and explain my expectations:

• Sit on the carpet or with your grown-up. If you need to stand or move, there is space in the back. You are also more than welcome to come and go as needed
• Try your best to put distractions away. I provide a place to eat snacks in the back that is not on the story time rug. I also encourage families to keep their phones in pockets and bags.
• Have fun!

Welcome Song

Well, hello everybody!
Can you touch your toes?
Touch your nose?
Touch your nose?
Well, hello everybody!
Can you touch your nose?
Hello, everybody!

(toes, pat your head, rub your tummy)

Early Literacy Tip

Phonological Awareness/Sounds: When we sing with our children, there is a distinct note for each syllable so they hear the smaller sounds in words. Being able to hear the smaller sounds prepares them to sound out words on a page when they begin to read. Singing with your children helps them get ready to read!

Book One

For the first book, I read/sang “Baa Baa Black Sheep” by Jane Cabrera. Before we jumped in, we talked about how in the fall the weather starts to change. We start to wear sweaters, jackets, scarves, and hats. Some of those things are made out of wool, which is the hair of a sheep. After the brief discussion, we jumped into the text. I paused during each full verse to do actions, count, or ask questions. I made sure to point out the sheep was getting smaller. At the end of the book, we sang the song all the way through.

Scarves

To get some wiggles out, I selected “The Hat Song” to do scarf play. I first modeled how to do it by putting a scarf on my head and singing the first verse. I then passed out the scarves to each child and grown-up in the room. We then sang the first verse together again. I then asked where we should put our hats. Be aware that children might not name body parts that are appropriate for the space. Try to redirect by naming a different body part.

The Hat Song found on Jbrary’s YouTube Channel:

On my head,
I wear my hat.
It is such a silly hat,
that my head wiggle wobbles
to and fro. 
Where else can my silly hat go?

(elbow, knee, foot, shoulder, etc...) 

On my head,
I wear my hat.
It is such a silly hat,
that my head wiggle wobbles
to and fro. 
That is where my silly hat goes. 

After we are done singing, I had the group wave their scarves up high, down low, really fast, and then really slow. I then talked in a slow mo voice to settle them down and get them back in their seats. I directed them to stay in their seats while I picked up the scarves. We sang “The Clean-up Song” from Barney while I did this:

Clean up, clean up, 
Everybody, everywhere, 
Clean up, clean up, 
Everybody do your share. 

Rhyme

While I was getting settled after clean up, I asked the group to make their arms big. I then modeled the motions for “This is Big, Big, Big” before we sang the song:

This is big, big, big.
This is small, small, small.
This is short, short, short.
This is tall, tall, tall.
This is fast, fast, fast.
This is slow, slow, slow.
This is yes, yes, yes. 
This is no, no, no. 

After we sang the song once, we did it faster and slower. This is dependent on the requests and general vibe.

Flannel

“Five Little Leaves” by Kate McKnight:

Flannels: 1 foam tree, 5 foam green leaves, 5 foam red leaves 
Instructions: Start with the empty foam tree on the board. Talk about how in the winter the trees are often bare. Then put the 5 green leaves on the tree for spring/summer. Have the participants shake their hands up towards the sky. Then ask the participants what happens come fall? The leaves change. Say "one by one, the leaves turn" and replace the green with the red. Then say Kate McKnight's rhyme as you have the leaves come off the tree. When the wind comes, have the participants blow air and make wind noises to "help" the leaves come down. 

5 little leaves so bright they say 
Were dancing about on a tree one day 
The wind came blowing through the town 
Whooooo whooooo 
One little leaf came tumbling down 

4 little leaves so bright they say 
Were dancing about on a tree one day 
The wind came blowing through the town 
Whooooo whooooo 
One little leaf came tumbling down 
 
3 little leaves so bright they say 
Were dancing about on a tree one day 
The wind came blowing through the town 
Whooooo whooooo 
One little leaf came tumbling down 

2 little leaves so bright they say 
Were dancing about on a tree one day 
The wind came blowing through the town 
Whooooo whooooo 

One little leaf came tumbling down 
1 little leaf so bright they say 
Was dancing about on a tree one day 
The wind came blowing through the town 
Whooooo whooooo 
One little leaf came tumbling down 

Book Two

For the second book, I read/sang “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat” by Simms Taback. Before we jumped in, we talked about how when the weather changes, we wear different clothes. We then started the book! This is a great book for children to learn how to make inferences. I would ask. “What do you think he is going to make next?” The participants would guess based off the cutout they saw. I also asked the participants make the animal sounds of the animals on the page, sing and dance like the characters, on top of them guessing what is next.

Goodbye Song

I always sing the same goodbye song every story 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,
and you really want to 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,
and you really want to show it, 
If you're happy and you know it,
stomp your feet.

If you're happy and you know it,
shout hooray.
If you're happy and you know it,
shout hooray.
If you're happy and you know it,
and you really want to show it, 
If you're happy and you know it,
shout hooray.