February 12: Toddler Storytime: Valentine's Day

(Reminder note: When it is time to read a story, I read the titles of three books and then display them. The children pick which one we read. The ones listed below are the ones they picked. Additional recommended titles about migration and hibernation for two to three year olds are at the bottom of this post.)

Opening song:                                                               

(Tune: The Farmer in the Dell")

We tap hola like this
We tap ho la like this
Hi-ho cherry

We tap hola like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop hola like this...

We circle hola like this...

We spin hola like this...

We toss hola like this..

We roll hola like this....

We stomp hola like this...

Introduction: There is a special holiday on Friday that celebrates love. One of the children happened to be wearing a Valentine's Day shirt, and I mentioned that her shirt was a clue. After the children guessed, I explained that a valentine is a word for someone that I love.

Book: "Happy Valentine's Day, Curious George!" by N. Di Angelo

I gave each parent a copy of the words to the song that went with the theme. 

Action chant:

“A Great Big Hug” 
(Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”)

Oh, I just love your hugs and kisses, 
Hugs and kisses, hugs and kisses. 
Oh, I just love you hugs and kisses, 
Come and give me some.

A great big hug and lots of kisses, 
Lots of kisses, lots of kisses. 
A great big hug and lots of kisses, 
Ready? Here I come!




Shaker song:

“I'm a Valentine for You”
(Tune: "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain")

I'm a teeny tiny valentine for you, (Use a tiny, squeaky voice) 
I'm a teeny tiny valentine for you, 
I'm a teeny tiny valentine, 
I'm always your valentine; will you be mine? 
I'm a teeny tiny valentine for you.

I'm a medium-sized valentine for you, (Use medium voice) 
I'm a medium-sized valentine for you, 
I'm a medium-sized valentine, 
I'm not too big and that's just fine 
I'm a medium-sized valentine for you.

I'm a great big valentine for you. (Use loud voice) 
I'm a great big valentine for you. 
I'm a great big valentine, and I will love you all the time. 
I'm a great big valentine for you.

Movement song: "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" 
     followed by "Cabeza, Hombros, Rodillas, y Pies"

  

Book: "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose" by Lucille Colandro

Movement song:  (We marched around the room as we sang.)

“All the Time” (Tune: “Oh, My Darling Clementine”)

I love you, I love you, 
I love you all the time. 
And I hope, oh yes I hope 
You will be my valentine 

I love you , I love you, 
I love you night and day. 
And I hope, oh yes, I hope
You will love me the same way.

Goodbye Song:
(Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")

We tap adios like this

We tap adios like this

Hi-ho cherry

We tap adios like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop adios like this...

We circle adios like this...

We spin adios like this...

We toss adios like this...

We roll adios like this...

We stomp adios like this...

Craft Time: Valentine Heart Collage

 Materials:
1. Heart template
2. Red, pink, purple cardstock to run heart template on
3. Red, pink, purple, and white feathers
4. Valentine colored buttons and beads
5. Valentine colored pom poms
6. Valentine colored stickers, sequins, pipe cleaners and ribbon
7. Scissors
8. Glue
    

My example

*All photos are with parental permission.

I always let the children pick which three books I read from the ones I bring with me. These are some additional suggested books that the children didn't pick:

1. "Love" by Helen O'Dare
2. "Ten Little Kisses" by Taylor Garland
3. "Happy Valentine's Day, Curious George!" by N. Di Angelo
4. "Peppa Pig and the I Love You Game" by Neville Astley
and Mark Baker
5. "Mouse's First Valentine" by Lauren Thompson
6. "The Hug" by Eoin Mclaughlin and Polly Dunbar
7. "Love, Mama" by Jeanette Bradley
8. "The Littlest things Give the Loveliest Hugs" by Mark Sperring