January 22: Toddler Storytime: Kindness

(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 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...

Explained that we should always try to be kind to others, but from now until Valentine's Day, it is the 100 Acts of Kindness project. I mentioned that on Monday, we celebrated the memory of a man named Martin Luther King, Jr. who encouraged people to be kind to everyone.

We can try to do nice things for our family members and friends.  Parents can even make a kindness tree at home.

Book: "The Lion and the Mouse" by Jerry Pinkney

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

Movement song using sign language: In advance, I looked up the signs for help, share, and say thank you. I printed out pictures of people doing these signs. I had the group practice them before we sang the song.

“If You’re Kind, and You Know it”

If you’re kind and you know it, help a friend.
If you’re kind and you know it, help a friend.
If you’re kind and you know it,
And you really want to show it
If you’re kind and you know it, help a friend.

If you’re kind and you know it, share a toy.
If you’re kind and you know it, share a toy.
If you’re kind and you know it,
And you really want to show it,
If you’re kind and you know it, share a toy.

If you’re kind and you know it, give a hug.
If you’re kind and you know it, give a hug.
If you’re kind and you know it,
And you really want to show it,
If you’re kind and you know it, give a hug.

If you’re kind and you know it, say thank you.
If you’re kind and you know it, say thank you.
If you’re kind and you know it, say thank you.
And you really want to show it,
If you’re kind and you know it, say thank you.


Movement song: "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" by Dr. Jean
Available on her "Silly Songs" CD

Book: "The Big Umbrella" by Amy June Bates

Movement song in English and then in Spanish:

"Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" followed by "Cabeza, Homros, Rodillas, y Pies"  

I passed out copies of the words in Spanish, and we sang along to  the song on the ¡A BAILAR! CD by Whistlefritz.

Movement song using scarves: " Five Little Ducks"

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: Making bracelets to wrap and then give away

Materials:
1. Pony beads in a variety of colors
2. Star beads from Dollar Tree
3. Jewelry elastic cord
4. White/brown paper sacks
5. Tissue paper to put inside bags
6. Free printable gift tags
          

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. "I Walk With Vanessa" by Kerascoet
2. "How to Heal a Broken Wing" by Bob Graham
3. "Boo Who?" by Ben Clanton
4. "Wolf in the Snow' by Matthew Cordell
5. "Plant a Kiss" by Amy Krouse Rosenthal