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.  

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

Additional Sensory Ideas !

Head over to my Facebook page if you would be interested in extra sensory ideas that will not be listed on my Baby Art and Sensory Time schedule.

January 15: Toddler Storytime: Snowmen

(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. The rest of my recommended titles are at the bottom of the 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...

A few days ago, some of the children saw snow for the first time. We talked about some of the activities we can do in the snow such as sledding, making snow angels, and making a snowman.

Book: "Mouse's First Snow" by Lauren Thompson

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

Movement chant:

“The Snowman Song”

Here is a snowman big and white (Make large circle in air) 
Isn't he a lovely sight 
Let's make a snowball (Pretend to make a snowball) 
And throw it at his hat (Throwing motion) 
Off it goes, just like that.

Shaker song:  (Before singing, I put a picture of a snowman in the middle of the circle.)

“Ring Around the Snowman”
(Tune: "Ring around the Rosie")

Ring around the snowman, 
A pocket full of snow, 
Snowflakes snowflakes, 
We all fall down!



Movement song:  

“A Chubby Little Snowman”

A chubby little snowman,
Had a carrot nose.
Along came a bunny,
And what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny,
Looking for his lunch.
Ate that snowman's carrot nose,
Nibble, nibble, crunch!!

     

Book: "The Snow Rabbit" by Georgiana Deutsch

Movement song using clip art: (Before beginning the song, I gave each child a set of clip art containing two boots, two mittens, a hat, a scarf, a coat, and a snowsuit. Click here for the document.)

"Snowey Pokey”


You put your right mitten in,
You take your right mitten out, 
You put your right mitten in, and 
You shake it all about. 
You do the snowey pokey, and 
You turn yourself around. 
That's what it's all about.

You put your left mitten in,
You take your left mitten out, 
You put your left mitten in, and 
You shake it all about. 
You do the snowey pokey, and 
You turn yourself around. T
hat's what it's all about.

Continue with additional verses:
You put your scarf in 
You put your right boot in 
You put your left boot in 
You put your hat in
You put your snowsuit in 
You put your snowself in etc

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: Egg Carton Snowman
Idea modified from https://www.iheartartsncrafts.com.

Materials:

1. Egg cartons cut into sets of three cartons
2. Pipe cleaners in variety of colors
3. White paint
4. Brushes
5. Paper plate or container for paint
6. Orange construction paper for nose
7. Black permanent marker
8. Felt in variety of colors for scarf
9. Pom poms in variety of colors
10. Glue gun

          

My example

*All photos are with parental permission.

You can find additional winter craft ideas for toddlers here.

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. "Snowballs" by Lois Ehlert
2. "Frosty the Snowman" by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins
3."The Smiley Snowman" by M. Christina Butler
4. "Pablo in the Snow" by Teri Sloat
5. "There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow!" by Lucille Colandro

January 16: Preschool Storytime: Snowmen

(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 three fictional ones listed below are the ones they picked. Additional picture book ideas are listed at the bottom.)

Opening song:                                                     (Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")

                         We tap hola like this

                         We tap hola 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...

Held up S and s
Talked about sound of Ss
Talked about things that start with s
Make a lowercase s in the air
Put the alphabet chart on the floor. Let each child take the pointer and point to the letter Ss.


BOOK #1: "The Biggest, Best Snowman" by Margery Cuyler

I passed out copies of the words to all of the songs about winter. I told the children to find a letter Ss on the page and show it to his/her parent. I put out clip art of five snowflakes before starting the song.


MOVEMENT SONG: (We sang the song first all in English. Then we sang a few of the words in Spanish.)


“Snowman”
Once there was a snowman, snowman, snowman.
Once there was a snowman tall, tall, tall/alto, alto, alto. (Gradually move body higher.)
In the sun, he melted, melted, melted
In the sun, he melted small, small, small/pequeño, pequeño, pequeño (Move body smaller).

ACTION SONG: 

“I’m a Little Snowman”

I’m a little snowman short and fat.
Here are my buttons, here is my hat.
When the sun comes out, I can’t play.
I just slowly melt away!

I’m a little snowman short and fat.
Here are my botones, here is my sombrero.
When el sol comes out, I can’t play.
I just slowly melt away.

BOOK:"Snowman at Night" by Caralyn Buehner

     

     

Before singing, I put out clip art of five snowmen. Find the document here.

ACTION SONG using clip art:

“Five Little Snowmen”

Five little snowmen/cinco pequeños snowmen standing in a row,

Each had a hat and a big, red scarf.

Out came the sun, and it shone all day,

1 little/un pequeño snowman melted away. 

Four little snowmen/cuatro pequeños snowmen standing in a row,

Each had a hat and a big, red scarf.

Out came the sun/el sol, and it shone all day,

1 little/un pequeño snowman melted away. 

Three little/tres pequeños snowmen standing in a row,

Each had a hat and a big, red scarf.

Out came the sun, and it shone all day,

1 little/un pequeño snowman melted away. 

Two little/dos pequeños snowmen standing in a row,

Each had a hat and a big, red scarf.

Out came the sun, and it shone all day,

1 little/un pequeño snowman melted away. 

One little/un pequeño snowman standing all alone,

He had a sombrero and a big red bufanda.

Out came el sol, and it shone all day,

1 little snowman melted away. 

No little/ pequeños snowmen, no little hats, 

No red scarves.

All the snowmen have melted away.

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...

Craft Time:  

I modeled the rainbow writing page for letter Ss, the Ss dot page, and the craft before the children starting working on them. Before starting the craft, the children write the given letter using 3 different colors of crayons. I have attached a link to the free rainbow writing letters I used. Completing the dot page is optional.

You can find free rainbow writing letters here. Since they are free, they lack a dot for where to start. print one off, add the dots with a black marker, and then make copies of that one. You can find the dot pages here. 

Click here for a link for letter formation prompts for capital and lowercase letters. Children need to spend more time working on the lowercase letters than on the capital letters.


Craft: Name Snowman Craft
Idea modified from https://fun-a-day.com/name-snowmen/

Materials:
1. 2 inch circle template
2. foam snowflakes
3. Pipe cleaners for arms and ear muffs
4. Felt for scarf, hat (instead of earmuffs), and/or arms
5. Cotton balls for snow on ground 
6. Stickers, beads, buttons, etc for other decoration options
7. Orange construction paper for nose
8. Dark blue and light blue construction paper for background
9. White cardstock for circles
10 Glue
11. Scissors

*While I model the craft, I always tell the children not to try to make their snowman look like mine. I encourage them to be as creative as they want. 

Instructions:
In advance, run template on white cardstock. Give each child one page of circles. If the child is not able to cut yet, the parent will cut out one circle for the head in addition to one circle for each letter of the child's name.

My example

*All photos are with parent 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. "The First Day of Winter" by Denise Fleming
2. "Winter is For Snow" by Robert Neubercker
3. "All You Need for a Snowman" by Alice Schertle
4. "Making a Friend" by Tammi Sauer
5. "The Biggest Snowman Ever" by Steven Kroll
6. "How to Build a Snow Bear" by Eric Pinder
7. "Pip and Squeak" by Ian Schoenherr
8. "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith

EMK added to Literacy Tips

As requested by a few parents, I have added an overview of " Extending a Meager Knowledge"(EMK) to the Literacy Tips and Resources. This is a 5-7 minute activity that provides in depth study of a specific number, letter, or frequency word.

January 9: Preschool Storytime: Winter

(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 three fictional ones listed below are the ones they picked. Additional picture book ideas are listed at the bottom.)

Opening song:                                                     (Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")

                         We tap hola like this

                         We tap hola 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...

There are four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Fall ended right before Christmas. It is now winter. I discussed some of the signs of winter

Held up W and w
Talked about sound of Ww
Talked about things that start with w
Make a lowercase w in the air
Put the alphabet chart on the floor. Let each child take the pointer and point to the letter Ww.


BOOK #1: "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats

I passed out copies of the words to all of the songs about winter. I told the children to find a letter Ww on the page and show it to his/her parent. I put out clip art of five snowflakes before starting the song.

MOVEMENT SONG: (We sang the song first all in English. Then we sang a few of the words in Spanish.)

“Five Little Snowflakes”

Five little/cinco pequeños snowflakes
Dancing here and there.
Then one little/un pequeño snowflake blew away in the air!

Four little/cuatro pequeños snowflakes
Dancing here and there.
Then one little/un pequeño snowflake blew away in the air!

Three little/tres pequeños snowflakes
Dancing here and there.
Then one little/un pequeño snowflake blew away in the air!

Two little/dos pequeños snowflakes
Dancing here and there.
Then one little/un pequeño snowflake blew away in the air!

One little/un pequeño snowflake
Dancing here and there.
Then that little snowflake blew away in the air!

Zero little snowflakesDancing here and there.
Not one to be found in the air
Cause five/cinco little/pequeño snowflakes have fallen to the ground!

BOOK: "Waiting for Snow" by Marsha Diane Arnold

Action song using snowflakes: (Before singing, I gave each child one or two clip art snowflakes.)

“Ten Little Snowflakes”
(Tune: 10 Little Indians”)

One/un little, two/dos little, three/tres little snowflakes
Four/cuatro little, five/cinco little, six/seis little snowflakes
Seven/siete little, eight/ocho little, nine/nueve little snowflakes
Ten/diez little snowflakes on my tongue! (stick tongue out, and pretend to lick snowflake)

One/un little, two/dos little, three/tres little snowflakes
Four/cuatro little, five/cinco little, six/seis little snowflakes
Seven/siete little, eight/ocho little, nine/nueve little snowflakes
Ten/diez little snowflakes on my hat! (pat head with snowflake)

One/un little, two/dos little, three/tres little snowflakes
Four/cuatro little, five/cinco little, six/seis little snowflakes
Seven/siete little, eight/ocho little, nine/nueve little snowflakes
Ten/diez little snowflakes on my mittens! (hold out hands to hold your snowflake)

One/un little, two/dos little, three/tres little snowflakes
Four/cuatro little, five/cinco little, six/seis little snowflakes
Seven/siete little, eight/ocho little, nine/nueve little snowflakes
Ten/diez little snowflakes on my boots! (put snowflake on shoes)

BOOK: "Hoot and Peep: A Song for Snow" by Lita Judge

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...

Craft Time:  

I modeled the rainbow writing page for letter Ww, the Ww dot page, and the craft before the children starting working on them. Before starting the craft, the children write the given letter using 3 different colors of crayons. I have attached a link to the free rainbow writing letters I used. Completing the dot page is optional.

You can find free rainbow writing letters here. Since they are free, they lack a dot for where to start. print one off, add the dots with a black marker, and then make copies of that one. You can find the dot pages here. 

Click here for a link for letter formation prompts for capital and lowercase letters. Children need to spend more time working on the lowercase letters than on the capital letters.




Craft: Tape Resist Salt Painting
Two combined sources: https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/97862/winter-preschool-art
and https://artprojectsforkids.org/winter-birch-trees/

Materials:
1. 11 by 17 paper cut to 11 by 12 in size
2. Blue painter's tape
3. Table salt
4. Set of 8 watercolor paints
5. White tempera paint
6. Scissors
7. Cup of water

My example

Step 1: Make border with tape. (I prepared the borders in advance.)
Then make design with tape.

Step 2: Cover white areas with watercolor paint. 
While they are still wet, sprinkle these areas with salt.

Step 3: Remove tape.

Step 4: Dip  other end of watercolor brush in white paint to make snow dots.

Step 5: Add bark edges to the left and right sides of the tree.

*All photos are with parent permission.

You can find additional winter craft ideas for preschoolers here.

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. "Curious George in the Snow" by Margaret and H. A. Rey
2. "Stella: Queen of the Snow" by Marie Louise Gay
3. "If It's Snowy and You Know It, Clap Your Paws"by Kim Norman
4. "The Twelve Days of Winter" by Deborah Lee Rose
5. "The Jacket I Wear in the Snow" by Shirley Neitzel
6. "Fancy Nancy: There's No Day Like a Snow Day" by Jane O'Connor
7. "Big Snow" by Jonathan Bean
8. "Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter" by Kenard Pak