Library Aims

Did you know knowledge of shapes helps with reading and math literacy? That is why I always do at least one shapes & counting story time. I give tips on how to develop number sense and letter recognition as I read fun stories, dance, and sing with the participants.

Program Outline

1. Warm Welcome: Play music related to the them while greeting participants. Write name tags and instruct them where to sit.
2. Welcome Song: I use Hello Everybody every story time.
3. Book: Bear Counts by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman OR Circus Shapes by Stuart J. Murphy (illus. Edward Miller)
4. Fingerplay: Here is the Beehive OR Five Elephants in the Bathtub 
5. Felt Board: Five Elephants in the Bathtub OR Build a House
6. Scarves: My Scarf has 4 Corners AND/OR Dance to “Bubble, Bubble, Pop” by Nadine Ghawi
7. Fingerplay: This is Big Big Big
8. Early Literacy Tip: “Identify the shapes you see and talk about them with your children. Circles and triangles are often parts of letters and numbers. Being able to see shapes will help children later recognize letters and numbers, helping them develop skills they need to read.” -From the Pioneer Library System
9. Book: 10 Dogs by Emily Gravett OR Carrot & Pea by Morag Hood
10. Goodbye Song: If You’re Happy and You Know It
11. Stay & Play: Foam Blocks and Paper Chains with theme related music in background
12. Bubbles

Potential Book Selections

Music Selection

Fingerplays, Songs, & Rhymes

Scarves

Check out Jbrary’s YouTube channel and blog for great scarf ideas for story time! Below are some YouTube videos that show great selections for a shapes & counting story time:

I also like to use the song “Bubble, Bubble, Pop” by Nadine Ghawi with the song! The kids wave the scarves for swimming in the water, crumple it in a ball in their hands for bubbles, then throw it in the air for the pop.

Early Literacy Tip

During every story time, I try to connect my selections to an early literacy tip. When I am planning, I often pick the tip first then base my selections off of it so I can easily model the tip for caregivers:

Identify the shapes you see and talk about them with your children. Circles and triangles are often parts of letters and numbers.
Being able to see shapes will help children later recognize letters and numbers, helping them develop skills they need to read

– Pioneer Library System

Stay & Play