Early Literacy Fun!

Here are five simple, seasonal activities to do with your child to help him get ready to read.

1. Talk about holiday or seasonal traditions in your family.  What is your child's favorite tradition and why? 
2. Sing holiday songs together.
3. Read a holiday or winter book with your child.  Then, ask him to tell you what happens in the book.
4. Help your child write a card or letter, or draw a picture, for a family member or friend.  
5. Play a fun memory game together!  Select five seasonal objects (tree ornament, mitten, cookie cutter, etc.) and place them on the floor.  Have your child close his eyes while you remove one of the objects and hide it behind your back.  Then, ask him to open his eyes and guess which one is missing.  Take turns hiding and guessing. 

  

Storytime Programs - Summer 2016, Week Six

Welcome to the sixth week of of our summer storytimes.  In addition to our weekly storytimes, there are numerous special events happening so be sure to check our Events Calendar http://gailbweb.gailborden.info/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp, give us a call, or stop by the desk in the Early Learning Center if you would like more information.  We hope that you'll be joining us and continue to make a visit to the library part of  your summer routine.   Don't forget to track your summer reading time and turn in your log before the end of July to receive all prizes!  Below you will find some of the books, rhymes, and fingerplays we are presenting this week.

Tiny Tales  (For babies 0-23 months and an adult caregiver)

Books
Birds by Henkes

Click here to link to the book at the library.
Little Bird by Pirotta
Click here to link to the book at the library

Action Rhyme: Little Birds

Little birds, little birds, jump up and down

Little birds, little birds, don’t make a sound

Little birds, little birds, tip-toe to me

Little birds, little birds, tap your knees

Little birds, little birds, peep, peep, peep

Little birds, little birds, sleep, sleep, sleep

Little birds, little birds, fly to the leaves

Little birds, little birds, sit down please

Repeat this rhyme at home with your little one.  Demonstrate jumping, tip-toeing, knee tapping, and all the other actions for your child.  Is he able to try any of these actions? Action rhymes are just one of the ways you can help your child develop his large motor skills.  

Starry Time Stories (For children 2 years -Kindergarten with adult caregiver)

Books
Mr. Gumpy's Outing by Burningham
Click here to link to book at library

Puppet Story
Old Bear's Surprise Painting (based on the book by Hissey)
Click here to link to the book at the library

Movie
Peanut Butter & Jellyfish

Painting is a great summertime activity because you can do it outdoors.  It's a fun way to work on color recognition and fine motor skills.  Use paints and brushes, or try something different such as finger painting with pudding, or colored ice painting. Check the internet for many creative ideas!

Storytime Programs - Summer 2016, Week Four

Welcome to the fourth week of of our summer storytimes.  In addition to our weekly storytimes, there are numerous special events happening so be sure to check our Events Calendar http://gailbweb.gailborden.info/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp, give us a call, or stop by the desk in the Early Learning Center if you would like more information.  We hope that you'll be joining us and continue to make a visit to the library part of  your summer routine.   Don't forget to pick up your summer reading log if you haven't done so already!  Below you will find some of the books, rhymes, and fingerplays we are presenting this week.

Tiny Tales  (For babies 0-23 months and an adult caregiver)

Books
I Love Planes by Sturges
Click here to link to the book at the library.
Hello Airplane! by Cotter
Click here to link to the book at the library.

Action Rhyme: I'm A Big Airplane

I’m a big airplane

Now watch me fly!

Here are my instruments

From down low to high (reach from down low to above heads)

First I get all revved up (make engine noises)

Then I can fly

Lift off the runaway 

Up into the sky!

This week we enjoyed parachute play in Tiny Tales.  We talked about the colors of the parachute, felt the wind as we waved it up and down, played peekaboo under it, and more!  Enjoy this activity at home using a tablecloth or other piece of light fabric.  Use words like "up" and "down", wave it "fast" and "slow".  Can you play peekaboo with it too?

Starry Time Stories (For children 2 years -Kindergarten with adult caregiver)

Books
Up, Down, and Around by Ayres 
Click here to link to the book at the library.

Puppet Story
Mr. Floop's Lunch (based on the book by Novak)

Movie
Picnic (based on the book by McCully)
Click here to link to the book at the library.

Have a picnic with your child!  It doesn't have to be outside.  What things will you need for your picnic?  Make a list.    

Storytime Programs - Summer 2016, Week One

School is out and summer is finally here!  We are so excited to begin our storytimes this week.  In addition to our weekly storytimes, there are numerous special events happening so be sure to check our Events Calendar http://gailbweb.gailborden.info/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp, give us a call, or stop by the desk in the Early Learning Center if you would like more information.  We hope that you'll be joining us and continue to make a visit to the library part of  your summer routine.   Below you will find some of the books, rhymes, and fingerplays we are presenting this week.

Tiny Tales  (For babies 0-23 months and an adult caregiver)

Books
Countdown! With Milo by Austin
Zoom, Rocket, Zoom! by Mayo

Action Rhyme: I'm a Little Rocket (Tune: I'm a Little Teapot)
I'm a little rocket pointing at the moon (raise arms above head)
Now I'm getting fueled up (wiggle hips)
We'll be ready soon (straight up straight and tall)
When it's time to board me, then I'll say (slowly bend knees and crouch with arms above head)
Blast off!  Zoom!  We're on our way. (jump up and shout!)

After we read stories and sang rhymes about flying into space, the parents and babies listened, bounced and counted along to Zoom, Zoom, Zoom on the Oh Baby!  CD.  If you'd like to watch a YouTube version of this song, click on the following video.

Babies love singing and dancing with you!  Did you know that singing exposes your baby to rhythm, language, and communication?  By adding dancing to the mix, you are incorporating balance and coordination too.  Learning is so much fun!    

Starry Time Stories (For children 2 years -Kindergarten with adult caregiver)

Books
The Wind Blew by Hutchins

Mother, Mother, I Want Another by Robbins (presented as a puppet story)

Rhyme: Climb Aboard The Spaceship (Tune: Itsy Bitsy Spider)
Climb aboard the spaceship
We're going to the moon
Hurry and get ready
We're going to blast off soon
Put on your helmets
And buckle up real tight
Here comes the countdown
Let's count with all our might
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1...BLAST OFF!

Our audience sang and danced along to Laura Doherty's Rocket Ship on Shining Like a Star CD. Click on the following image if you'd like to listen to this fun song again.

The preschoolers enjoyed the repetition in this song and the anticipation of "Blast Off"!  Repetition is a powerful way to master a skill, whether it be counting down numbers in this song or by doing another activity.  As often as possible, ask your child to sort socks by color when you do laundry, write the letters in his name, button up his own clothing, etc.  Repeat, repeat, repeat!  

Storytime Programs - Summer 2015, Week Three

Welcome to the third week of summer storytimes.  In addition to our weekly storytimes, there are numerous special events happening so be sure to check our Events Calendar http://gailbweb.gailborden.info/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp, give us a call, or stop by the desk in the Early Learning Center if you would like more information.  Below you will find some of the books, rhymes, and fingerplays we are presenting this week.

Tiny Tales  (For babies 0-23 months and an adult caregiver)

Books
One Hot Summer Day - Crews

Action Rhyme: Summer Dance

Hop like a bunny
Fly like a bee
Twirl like the wind round the apple tree
Open like a daisy in the morning sun
Pretend you're a river
And run, run, run!

We read and sang about summer this week - sun and rain, and many things you associate with the season.  When you are outside with your little one be sure to point out some of the things you see, hear, touch, and smell.  Do you see any animals, insects, plants?  Use descriptive words and  phrases.

Wonderful Ones (For babies 12-23 months and an adult caregiver)

Books
Jump Up! - Zanes

Jump - Fischer

Action Rhyme: See How I am Jumping
See how I am jumping, jumping, jumping
See how I am bouncing like a ball
You didn't know I could jump so high!
You didn't know I could sit so still
See how I am jumping, jumping, jumping
When I am tired, down I fall

Toddlers are full of energy and there's no better way to use it than by running and jumping around.  Visit your local park and encourage your toddler to run around. Help him by making up games you can play together. For example, you could play at being different animals. See if your toddler can run like a dog, pounce like a cat, or slither like a snake.

Tots' Tunes (For toddlers 18-36 months and an adult caregiver)

Books
Big Red Barn - Brown

Are You a Cow? - Boynton
Shake It Up Baby! - Katz
Barynard Dance! - Boynton

Rhyme:This Little Cow
This little cow eats grass (wiggle pinkie finger)
And this little cow eats hay (wiggle ring finger)
This little cow looks over the fence (wiggle middle finger)
And this little cow runs away (wiggle pointer finger)
And this BIG cow does nothing but sit in the fields all day (wiggle thumb)
We'll chase her, we'll chase her, we'll chase her!  (run fingers up child's arm)

Be sure to check out some books and other materials if you'd like to learn more about farm animals.  In addition to stories many of our books for preschoolers contain factual information and are a great resource for you.  Please ask us if you'd like help finding some of them.

Preschool Story Time with the Readership (For children 3 years - Kindergarten)

Books
Green/Verde - Schuette

Open Very Carefully - O'Byrne
Wide-Mouthed Frog - Faulkner
The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Carle

Rhyme: Green
There is a color we all know
And Green is its name-o
G-R-E-E-N, G-R-E-E-N, G-R-E-E-N
And Green is its name-o

After this week's storytime your child is sure to recognize the color green!  Does he know his other colors?  Does he recognize the color words?  There are so many fun ways to help  your child learn his colors - using crayons, playing board games such as Candy Land, talking about the colors of the fruits and vegetables in a grocery store.....

Sing Me A Story (For children 2 years -Kindergarten with adult caregiver)

Books
Five Little Monkeys Jumping On the Bed - Christelow

Dancing In My Bones - Andrews

Storytime features lots of great music and rhymes.  If you love dancing to Jim Gill's List of Dances during the program, check out the YouTube link below to see Jim Gill performing his song in concert! 

List of Dances on Jim Gill Makes It Noisy In Boise, Idaho by Jim Gill

Like most preschoolers, your child probably already loves music and has favorite songs.  This may have happened with little encouragement from you beyond simply playing music on long car trips. Kids who grow up hearing music, singing songs, and moving to the beat are enjoying what experts call "a rich sensory environment."  They are exposed to a wide variety of  sounds.  Research shows that kids who are actively involved in music (who play it or sing it regularly): 

- do better in reading and math when they start school
- are better able to focus and control their bodies
- play better with others and have higher self-esteem

(Adapted from an article at www.kidshealth.org)

Remember, you can check out many more of Jim Gill's CD's at the library!

Storytime Programs - Spring 2015, Week Five

Welcome to our fifth week of storytime programs in Spring 2015.  We offer storytimes for babies from birth on up. Some of our programs require pre-registration, others are drop-in.  Please check our Events Calendar http://gailbweb.gailborden.info/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp, give us a call, or stop by the desk in the Early Learning Center if you would like more information. We hope you are able to join us and share in the fun!  Below you will find some of the books, rhymes, and fingerplays we are presenting this week.

Baby Rhyme Time (For babies 0-11 months and a caregiver)

Books
Llama Llama Zippity-Zoom - Dewdney

Noodle Loves To Drive - Billet

Rhyme: I'm Flying High (Tune: I'm A Little Teapot)
I'm a little baby
I fly high
Here is the floor
Here is the sky
Like a little bird
Or butterfly
Now I go up
I'm flying high

Rhymes such as this one which incorporate movement - rocking, swaying, bouncing - help children develop their balance.  Of course they are fun too!

Wonderful Ones (For babies 12-23 months and a caregiver)

Books
Baby Be Kind - Cowen-Fletcher

I Can Share - Katz

Rhyme: Play With Me (Tune: Mary Had A Little Lamb)
Fluffy puppy by the tree
By the tree, by the tree
Fluffy puppy by the tree
Won't you come and play with me?
(Spotted ladybug/Little green frog)

This rhyme is a delightful one to share with the little ones in storytime.  They love to see the puppets!  Remember, we have puppets for check out in the Early Learning Center.  Ask at the Help Desk if you need assistance.   
  
Terrific Twos (For toddlers 2-3 years and a caregiver)

Books
Squeaky Clean - Puttock
One Duck Stuck - Root
You And Me: We're Opposites - Ziefert

Action Rhyme: After My Bath
After my bath I try, try, try
To rub myself till I'm dry, dry, dry
Hands to dry and fingers and toes
Two wet legs and one shiny nose
Just think how much less time it would take
If I were a dog and could shake, shake, shake!

We are continuing our opposites theme with dirty and clean this week.  Repeat this rhyme at home with your toddler.  Does he know all the body parts mentioned?  What else should he dry? Elbows, shoulders, hips.....   

1, 2, 3, Go! (For children 1, 2, and 3 years and a caregiver)

Books

Bear And Bee - Ruzzier

Rhyme: Here Is The Beehive
Here is the beehive (clench fist)
Where are the bees?
Hidden away where nobody sees
Watch and you'll see them come out of their hive
One, two, three, four, five (count on fingers)
Buzz, buzz, buzz!

In order to be ready to write, children need to have acquired the strength and dexterity to handle, and control, small objects with their fingers and hands.  Practicing rhymes like this one actively encourage this development.  

StoryMix For 3 to 6 (For children 3-6 years without caregiver)

Books
My Dream Playground - Becker
Building With Dad - Nevius
The Little Dump Truck - Cuyler

Action Rhyme: Five Little Nails
Five little nails, standing straight and steady
Here I come with my hammer ready!
Bam, bam, bam!  That nail goes down
Now there's just four nails to pound
(Four little nails...three, two, one, zero)

Just like in 1, 2, 3, Go! this week, this is another counting rhyme that will improve your preschooler's fine motor skills.  Find other opportunities too when you are with your preschooler to further strengthen these muscles and prepare him for writing - encourage coloring, cutting with scissors, picking up small items, rotating pieces in a puzzle.....

1000 Books Before Kindergarten is a reading incentive program for children from birth to kindergarten.  Enjoying books with your baby, toddler or preschooler is the best way to get them ready to read on their own!  

A home life that includes positive experiences with reading and the library ensures positive attitudes for reading once in school.

Beginning April 18th, the Gail Borden Public Library is encouraging families to join this simple program.

Next week at storytime, your child will receive the directions for the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program and a bird page to record the first 100 books you read together.  Remember to include stories that your child hears at library storytimes - any and all books and stories count!

Storytime Programs - Week 8, Winter 2015

Welcome to the eighth and final week of our winter storytime programs.  We hope you and your child have enjoyed spending time with us.  We are all looking forward to spring and some better weather! The spring session of storytimes begins March 16 (registration opens March 2 for any of our storytimes which require pre-registration).  Below you will find some of the books, rhymes, and fingerplays we are presenting this week.

Baby Rhyme Time (For babies 0-11 months and a caregiver)

Books
Baby Day! -  Wallace 

How Do I Put It On? - Watanabe

Rhyme - I'm Going To Wear  A Jacket
I'm going to wear a jacket, a jacket, a jacket,
I'm going to wear a jacket when I go out today.
When I go out today, when I go out today,
I'm going to wear a jacket when I go out today.
(Hat, Scarf, Boots)

Narrative skills include being able to understand and tell stories.  When you narrate events in your child's day, you help him build this skill, and many others.  It is never too early to start.  Talk, talk, talk to your child!

Wonderful Ones (For babies 12-23 months and a caregiver) 

Books
Overboard - Weeks 

Bunny And Me - Greenspun

Rhyme: Five Plump Peas
Five plump peas in a pea pod pressed, (Hold up one fist)
One grew, two grew, and so did all the rest. (Open fist one finger at a time)
They grew and they grew and they never stopped,
(Put both hands together and move them apart on each "grew")
They grew so big that the pea pod popped! (Clap hands on "pop")

This simple rhyme is just plain fun for your toddler!  He is sure to enjoy listening for and anticipating the loud "pop" at the end!

Terrific Twos (For toddlers 2-3 years and a caregiver) 

Books
Winter Is The Warmest Season - Stringer 

Winter Blanket - Brimner
Snowballs - Ehlert

Action Rhyme: This Is The Way 
This is the way we put on snowpants,
Put on snowpants, put on snowpants,
This is the way we put on snowpants on a cold and snowy morning.
(Boots/Coat/Hat/Mittens)

Just like with the babies in Baby Rhyme Time this week, this rhyme is an effective way of developing your child's narrative skills - the ability to understand and recount stories.  A great skill builder!

1, 2, 3, Go! (For children 1, 2, and 3 years and a caregiver)

Books 
Aliens Love Underpants - Freedman and Cort 
What Color Is Your Underwear? - Lloyd

Action Rhyme: Once There Was A Snowman
Once there was a snowman, snowman, snowman,
Once there was a snowman, tall, tall, tall.
In the sun he melted, melted, melted,
In the sun he melted, small, small, small.

Sing the rhyme at home with your toddler making sure he understands the concept of  "tall" and "small".  Can he find other things/people at home that are tall or small?  

Story Mix For 3 to 6 (For children 3-6 years without caregiver)

Books  

Jo MacDonald Saw A Pond - Quattlebaum 
Whose Chick Are You? - Tafuri
Little Lumpty - Imai

Rhyme: Down At The Pond

Down at the pond

What do you hear?

Ribbit, ribbit

What do you think it is?

A frog must be near!

(quack, quack - duck/buzz, buzz - bee/tweet, tweet - bird)

This week Story Mix is all about ovals, like eggs and ponds!  In the book Jo MacDonald Saw A Pond, we sing the Old MacDonald song but with different words to fit the story.  "Jo MacDonald saw a pond, E-I-E-I-O, And in that pond she saw some ducks, E-I-E-I-O.  With a quack-quack here and a quack-quack there..."  Make up your own verses using this familiar song!  Did you know singing and rhyming increases children's awareness to sounds in words.  This helps prepare children to decode written language.    

Storytime Programs - Week Seven, Winter 2015

Welcome to the seventh week of our winter storytime programs.   Below you will find some of the books, rhymes, and fingerplays we are presenting this week.

Baby Rhyme Time (For babies 0-11 months and a caregiver)

Books
Ten Tiny Tickles - Katz
How Do You Make A Baby Smile? - Sturges

Rhyme -You Be The Ice Cream
You be the ice cream, (touch baby on chin)
And I'll be the freezer. (hug)
You be the lemon, (touch baby on chin)
And I'll be the squeezer. (hug)
You be the hotdog, (pretend to take a bite somewhere)
And I'll be the bun. (hug)
You be the baby, (tap baby on chin)
And we'll have some fun! (end with a tickle)


Interacting and being silly with your child will help him feel safe and secure.  How do you make your baby smile?  Does he love to be tickled, bounced...?  

Wonderful Ones (For babies 12-23 months and a caregiver) 

Books
Ten Tiny Babies - Katz
One Beautiful Baby - Oborne

Rhyme: Five In The Bed
There were five in the bed and the little one said, "Roll over, roll over."
So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were four in the bed and the little one said, "Roll over, roll over."
So they all rolled over and one fell out.
(Repeat until you count down to one)
There was one in the bed and the little one said, "Good night!"

Who doesn't love a fun rhyme that involves rolling and falling?  Sit your little one on your lap and repeat this one at home.  For even more fun, line up five stuffed animals and sing the rhyme again!

Terrific Twos (For toddlers 2-3 years and a caregiver) 

Books
Under My Hood I Have A Hat - Kuskin
A Hat For Minerva Louise - Stoeke
Sneezy The Snowman - Wright


Action Rhyme: Magic Hat
Put on your magic, put on your magic hat,
You can do almost anything in your hat.
You can clap and clap and clap,
You can stamp and stamp and stamp,
You can hop and hop and hop,
You can bend your knees,
You can nod your head,
You can wiggle all around,
You can sit so still

Does your child have a "magic hat" that he can wear while singing this rhyme with you at home? What else can your toddler do in his "magic hat"?    

1, 2, 3, Go! (For children 1, 2, and 3 years and a caregiver)

Books
Ooh La La Polka Dot Boots - Olson-Brown 
Snowy, Blowy Winter - Raczka

Action Rhyme: Itsy Bitsy Snowflake
(Tune: Itsy bitsy spider)
The itsy bitsy snowflake 
Fell down from the sky.
It landed on my nose
And bounced upon my eye.
It slid down to my chin
And it landed on my tongue.
Then it melted all away
My snowflake song is done. 

Show your toddler snow, whether you are outside and able to touch it or inside your warm home and looking at it through the window.  Talk to your child about snow.  Is it cold or hot?  What color is it? Does it make a noise when you step on it with your boots?  What can you do in the snow? 

Story Mix For 3 to 6 (For children 3-6 years without caregiver)

Books  
When The Moon Smiled - Horacek
One Starry Night - Butler
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star - Cabrera

Action Rhyme: Spaceship
Ring around the spaceship, (walk in circle)
Try to grab a star. (reach up high)
Stardust, stardust, (wiggle fingers)
Fall where you are. (fall down)

This week Story Mix is all about stars.  Play Shape of the Day Hunt.  Look around your house and see if you can find things in the shape of a star (maybe on a toy or in a book).  Now choose another shape from your StoryMix Shape Scene and look for that shape.  Good hunting! 

Storytime Programs - Week Five, Winter 2015

Welcome to the fifth week of our winter storytime programs.  We hope you are finding us to be a warm and inviting place to spend some quality time with your child.  Below you will find some of the books, rhymes, and fingerplays we are presenting this week.

Baby Rhyme Time (For babies 0-11 months and a caregiver)

Books
Big Little - Patricelli
Big And Little Things That Go - Rookie Toddler

Rhyme - This Is Big!
This is big, big, big, (hold arms out)
This is small, small, small.
This is short, short, short,
This is tall, tall, tall.
This is fast, fast, fast, (clap hands)
This is slow, slow, slow.
This is yes, yes, yes, (nod head)
This is no, no, no.

Acting out rhymes helps your baby learn about size and shape.  You can also develop your baby's vocabulary about these concepts by comparing the sizes and shapes of objects around the house.

Wonderful Ones (For babies 12-23 months and a caregiver)

Books
Emily Loves To Bounce - King
Bouncing Babies - Brownlow

Rhyme: I'm Bouncing
I'm bouncing, bouncing everywhere,
I bounce and bounce into the air.
I'm bouncing, bouncing like a ball,
I bounce and bounce and down I fall.

Bouncing and clapping rhymes are an effective way of listening to, and feeling, the rhythm of language.  Not only is the movement fun, but it introduces toddlers to the idea of rhythm--a fundamental component of language and reading.  Can you think of any other rhymes to bounce along to?  How about Humpty Dumpty or Jack and Jill Went Up The Hill?  Both of these nursery rhymes also include the action of "falling down" - sure to cause a giggle or two from your toddler!

Terrific Twos (For toddlers 2-3 years and a caregiver)

There Was A Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow! - Colandro
Three Little Kittens - Siomades
One Mitten - George

Action Rhyme:Today I Wore My Snow Suit
Today I wore my snow suit
That goes from heels to throat (point)
It closes with a zipper (zip)
And is much warmer than a coat. (hug self)
I wore a scarf around my neck (put on)
And a wooly cap bright red (put on)
It fitted snugly upon my ears (cover ears)
And covered my whole head (circle around head)
I wore boots with buckles (put on)
And mittens lined with fur (put on)
But just the same, when I went out (point to self)
I shivered and said, "Burr-rr-rr!" (shiver)

Does your toddler wear a snow suit when he goes outside?  A scarf and hat?  Gloves or mittens?  Next time you get ready to go somewhere, talk about what he must wear.  What color is his hat?  How many mittens must he wear?  Does his coat have a zipper or buttons?  The opportunities to have a conversation with your toddler during the day are endless!

1, 2, 3, Go! (For children 1, 2, and 3 years and a caregiver)

Books

One Mitten - George
Three Little Kittens - Siomades

Action Rhyme: Warm Mittens
I wiggle my left hand,
I wiggle my right,
Inside of my mittens,
So warm and tight.
I wiggle my pinkie,
I wiggle my thumb,
So when I make snowballs,
My hands don't get numb!

Fingerplays help children develop and improve their fine motor coordination.  Toddlers learn how to manipulate their fingers independently of each other and strengthen the muscles in both hands. Developing fine motor skills is essential because it paves the way for activities such as writing, drawing, and cutting with scissors.  

StoryMix For 3 to 6 (For children 3-6 years without caregiver)

Books  
Goodnight Sun, Hello Moon - Viola
Moon Sandwich Mom - Jacobson
On The Moon - Milbourne

Action Rhyme: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
Zoom, zoom, zoom,
We're going to the moon.
If you want to take a trip,
Climb aboard my rocket ship.
Zoom, zoom, zoom,
We're going to the moon.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Blast off!
Zoom, zoom, zoom,
We're going to the moon.

This week StoryMix is all about crescents!  Draw some crescent shapes on a piece of paper. Together with your child add some other shapes and lines to make a picture.  Easy idea: a happy face

Storytime Programs - Week Three, Winter 2015

Welcome to the third week of our winter storytime programs.  We hope you and your little ones are enjoying being part of the fun!  Below you will find some of the books, rhymes, and fingerplays we are presenting this week.

Baby Rhyme Time (For babies 0-11 months and a caregiver)

Books
Baby's Bathtime - Watt 
Bathtime Peekaboo! - Sirett

Action Rhyme - Three Bubbles
A small bubble, (make small circle with hands)
A medium sized bubble,
A great big bubble I see.
Now let's count them,
Are you ready?
One, two, three,
Pop, pop, pop!  (clap hands)

The babies know all about bubbles since we are using the bubble machine each week during this session.  Their faces are a delight to see!  This is an activity that many families are sure to continue at home.

Wonderful Ones (For babies 12-23 months and a caregiver)

Books

This Little Chick - Lawrence
Piggies - Wood

Rhyme: Head and Fingers
Head and fingers, tummy and toes, tummy and toes,
Head and fingers, tummy and toes, tummy and toes,
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose,
Head and fingers, tummy and toes, tummy and toes.

As well as teaching the names of body parts, rhymes such as this one can be a welcome and amusing distraction at diaper-changing time!

Terrific Twos (For toddlers 2-3 years and a caregiver)

Books
Snowmen at Night - Buehner 
Winter Is - Dixon

Sledding - Winthrop

Action Rhyme: Here's a Hill
Here's a hill (tilt left arm so that it forms a hill)
And here's a hill (tilt rhyme so that it forms a hill)
All covered with snow (raise hands up and bring down in slow motion)
I'll put on my coat (put coat on)
And jump on my sled (hold rope of sled)
And ZOOM, down the hill I will go! (clap hands, then slide hands down)

Sharing rhymes and songs that tell stories will help your toddler develop sequencing skills which is the ability to put the events of a story in the order in which they occur. This is important because logical order of thinking is fundamental to reading. 

1, 2, 3, Go! (For children 1, 2, and 3 years and a caregiver)

Books
Little Owl's Orange Scarf - Feeney
Under My Hood I Have a Hat - Kuskin 

Action Rhyme: One Cold and Frosty Morning
One cold and frosty morning,
When stormy was the weather,
A birdie peeked out of his nest,
And ruffled up his feathers.
He fluffed them up, he fluffed them down,
He flapped his wings together,
And then crawled back into his bed,
And said I DON'T LIKE THIS WEATHER!

It's always fun to take a rhyme home from storytime!  Repeat the rhyme and actions with your toddler.  

StoryMix For 3 to 6 (For children 3-6 years without caregiver)

Books 
Should I Share My Ice Cream? - Willems

Hooray For Hat! - Won

Action Rhyme: Hats (to the tune of Frere Jacques)
H-A-T-S
H-A-T-S
That spells hats
That spells hats
Everybody wears them
Everybody wears them
When they're cold
When they're cold

We are continuing our shape theme with triangles this week.  Host a triangle picnic.  Cut paper plates in triangles and sit on a blanket folded into a triangle.  Eat triangular-shaped foods, such as pizza or triangle sandwiches.  What fun!  Talk about other foods that are triangular.  Did you know that talking is how children learn new vocabulary?