Walk and Learn!

Neighborhood walks with your toddler or preschooler are wonderful learning opportunities.  Here are a few fun ideas to get you started -

For your toddler

What Comes Next?  As your child becomes familiar with your neighborhood, play a simple memory game.  For example, as you pass a house where a big dog lives, say, "Where does that big, black dog live?"  After your child answers, point to the house and say, "He lives right there in that grey house!  I wonder where he is today?"  After you've played this game on a few different occasions, ask the same question before or after you've passed the house.

Walk Around the Block.  Enjoy the sights and sounds on a walk.  As you pass people and places, name them for your child.  "Look, there's the mom with her baby."  Then add more details.  "Her baby is riding in a stroller."  After a few walks, ask your child to make simple predictions on what and whom you'll see.  "Do you think we'll see that big, black dog today?"

For Your Preschooler

Sound Walk.  Play a fun sound game in your neighborhood.  Look for people and things that begin with the same sound.  Ask your child to close his eyes.  As he opens them, tell him to name the first thing he sees - "A butterfly!"  Tell him that the letter "b" begins the word butterfly.  Help him find and name other things that start with the same sound - branch, bike, boy, etc.

Guessing Game.  Give your child a clue about something you notice outside and see if he can guess what you are thinking of.  For example, "I am thinking of something green that you can walk on." After he guesses "Grass!" let him have a turn.

Fun Activities to Keep Your Preschooler Busy in the Early Learning Center

Even though we are on a break from our regular weekly storytimes, be sure to visit us over the holiday season. There are always plenty of fun activities to keep your preschooler occupied.  Some examples are:

• Themed "book bundles" 
• Books with activity sheets
• Literacy activity
• Science, or STEAM, activity

Also, do you ever sit at our craft counter with your child and help him complete the craft project of the week? This week's craft is an angel and involves tracing, cutting, coloring, and gluing.  In addition to the fun, quality time spent together, this involves many learning opportunities.  For example, learning to cut with scissors promotes fine motor development by exercising the muscles in the hands and honing hand-eye coordination.  

Just ask at the Help Desk in the Early Learning Center and we will be glad to give you more information.

Story Mix for Three to Six: ZANY ZOO ANIMALS: Enormous Elephants

We are continuing our theme of ZANY ZOO ANIMALS and this week is all about tall giraffes with long necks!  We've also added a new animal onto our "All Through the Zoo" song!

Children will learn important concepts through repetition and singing, and making animal motions and movements. Using arms and legs to make the motions of a swinging elephant trunk will keep children active and help them learn about animal movements and sounds.

Reading together is also an essential early literacy skill in order for children to acquire reading success when they start school.  Shared reading helps children learn the concepts of a book, and also develop a young appreciation for learning and reading. Take a look through our selection of zoo themed books!

All Through the Zoo Song (Sung to the tune of Wheels on the Bus)
The tiger in the grass says roar, roar, roar
Roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar
The tiger in the grass says roar, roar, roar
All through the zoo.

The Parrot in the leaves goes squawk, squawk, squawk
Squawk, squawk, squawk, squawk, squawk, squawk
The Parrot in the leaves goes squawk, squawk, squawk
All through the zoo.

The bear in the grass says growl, growl, growl
growl, growl, growl, growl, growl, growl
The bear in the grass says growl, growl, growl
All through the zoo.

The giraffe by the tree, munches the leaves,
munches the leaves, munches the leaves
The giraffe by the tree, munches the leaves,
All through the zoo.

The elephant by the rock goes stomp, stomp, stomp
stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp
The elephant by the rock goes stomp, stomp, stomp
All through the zoo. 

Did You Ever See an Elephant? (Sung to the tune of 'Did You Ever See a Lassie?')
Did you ever see an elephant,
an elephant, an elephant?
Did you ever see an elephant
spray water with her trunk?
Spray water all over,
Spray water all over,
Did you ever see an elephant
Spray water with her trunk?

Did you ever see an elephant,
an elephant, an elephant?
Did you ever see an elephant
hug her baby with her trunk?
Wrap it this way and that way,
And this way and that way,
Did you ever see an elephant
hug her baby with her trunk?  

Elephant Rhyme
Elephants are tall & fat.
They stomp around this way and that.
Elephants have big ears and toes.
And goodness gracious, what a nose!

Looking for more elephant animal fun?  We read these books at Story Mix this week:

Beautiful Bananas by Elizabeth Laird
On her way to her grandfather's house with a bunch of bananas, Beatrice has a series of mishaps with jungle animals who each substitute something new for what she is carrying. 
Check catalog availability

Splash! by Flora McDonnell
When the jungle animals are hot, a baby elephant has a good solution involving the squirting and splashing of water at the water hole. 
Check catalog availability

Sam Who Never Forgets by Eve Rice
Sam the zookeeper never forgets to feed the animals. 
Check catalog availability

Story Mix for Three to Six: ZANY ZOO ANIMALS: Terrific Tigers

We start a new theme this week at our Spring Story Mix classes!  Our theme for the next several weeks is called ZANY ZOO ANIMALS and this week is all about those striped tigers!  Children will learn important concepts through repetition and singing, and making animal motions and movements. Sounds such as "roar" and "growl" will help children hear different syllables and learn new words and letters.  Movement and activity helps children develop their imagination during playtime. 

All Through the Zoo Song (Sung to the tune of Wheels on the Bus)
The tiger in the grass says roar, roar, roar
Roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar
The tiger in the grass says roar, roar, roar
All through the zoo

I'm a Little Tiger Rhyme (Sung to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot)
I’m a little tiger in the zoo
Here are my stripes
And my swishy tail too.
When I get angry you will see
Just how loud my growl can be.

TIGER Song (Sung to the tune of Bingo)
There was a big cat that had some stripes
And Tiger was his name-o
T – I – G – E – R,   T – I – G – E – R,   T – I – G – E - R
And Tiger was his name-o    

If You Want to Be a Tiger Song (Sung to the tune of If You're Happy and You Know It)
If you want to be a tiger, roar out loud!
If you want to be a tiger, roar out loud!
If you want to be a tiger, if you want to be a tiger,
If you want to be a tiger, roar out loud!

We read these Tiger themed books at our class today! 

Follow the Leader by Emma Chichester Clark
A boy and his animal friends play a game of follow the leader until a tiger shows up and wants to play too. 
Check catalog availability

Tiggy Tiger Brave Explorer by Claire Freedman
Tiggy Tiger plays brave explorer, knowing that if he needs her, his mother will save him from danger. 
Check catalog availability
 
The Tiger Who Came To Tea by Judith Kerr
A tiger comes to tea at Sophie's house and eats and drinks everything in sight, so that there is nothing left for Daddy's supper. 
Check catalog availability

1, 2, 3 Go! Elephants are Marching!

This week at 1, 2, 3 Go! we have rhymes and stories about zoo animals and elephants!  Children will learn important concepts through repetition and singing.  Learning new words as 'flopping' or about such animals as a tiger and lion, challenge children, as well as learn the motions and movements.  Singing about making animal sounds and motions like a swinging elephant trunk helps children make connections between actions and thoughts.  Incorporating such activity helps children put together ideas in order to make connections and understand words in print so they can get Ready to Read!

Jumbo the Elephant
Jumbo has a great big trunk,
And he has tiny eyes
That show him where to go.
His great big ears go flopping,
While his great big feel go stomping, stomping, stomping on the ground.

Jumbo has a great big trunk,
And he has tiny eyes
That show him where to go.
His great big ears go flopping,
While his great big feel go stomping, stomping, stomping on the ground.

I Came to the Zoo (sung to the tune of My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean)
I came to the zoo to see lions, lions, lions
I came to the zoo to see lions, lions, lions
I love all the animals there!  ROAR!

I came to the zoo to see tigers, tigers, tigers
I came to the zoo to see tigers, tigers, tigers
I love all the animals there!  GRRR! (make a grrr noise)

I came to the zoo to see snakes, snakes, snakes
I came to the zoo to see snakes, snakes, snakes
I love all the animals there!  HISS! (make a hissing noise)

I came to the zoo to see crocodiles, crocodiles, crocodiles
I came to the zoo to see crocodiles, crocodiles, crocodiles
I love all the animals there!  CHOMP! (make a chomping noise)

I came to the zoo to see elephants, elephants, elephants
I came to the zoo to see elephants, elephants, elephants
I love all the animals there!  TRUMPET HORN! (make a trumpet horn noise)
   
The Wiggles Rhyme
A wiggle wiggle here,
A wiggle wiggle there,
Wiggle your hands up in the air.
Wiggle your shoulders,
Wiggle your hips,
Wiggle your knees,
And move your lips.
Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle.
And wiggle some more!

Elephants on a String Song
One little elephant in the ring,
Walking on a piece of string.
My, my, what a stunt!
Let’s all clap for the elephant!

Two…  Three…  Four…

Five little elephants on a piece of string,
Do you think five is too many on that high, high thing?
Oh-oh!  BOOM!  A disastrous stunt!
But let’s all clap for the elephants!

Five Little Elephants Rhyme
5 little elephants rowing towards the shore, one fell in and that left 4.
4 little elephants climbing up a tree, one slid down and that left 3.
3 little elephants living at the zoo, one walked away and that left 2.
2 little elephants playing in the sun, one fell asleep and that left 1.
1 little elephant isn't any fun, he went home.
And then there were none!

Elephants in the Bathtub Song
One elephant in the bathtub
Going for a swim
Knock, knock (clap twice)
Splash, splash (slap knees twice)
Come on in! (motion with both hands to come in)
Five elephants in the bathtub
Going for a swim
Knock, knock (clap twice)
Splash, splash (slap knees twice)
They all fell in! (knock the felt pieces down)
Credit: SurLaLune Storytime //

Big Gray Elephant Rhyme
The big gray elephant slowly walks.
She doesn’t make a sound.
She swings her trunk from left to right.
When she puts her feet on the ground.
Swing, swing, left and right,
She doesn’t make a sound.
Credit: Alphabet Soup – Zoo Poems, Songs, and Fingerplays // Used: “Wild Animals” Storytime 2010 & “Zoo” Storytime 2011


For More Elephant Fun, Check Out These Books:
   
If Elephants Wore Pants by Henriette Barkow
Rhyming text tells the story of a young boy who dreams about elephants wearing different colors of pants.
Check catalog availability     

I Love My Mama by Peter Kavanagh
A baby elephant describes how he and his mother spend their days together. 
Check catalog availability

I Dream of an Elephant by Amy Rubinger
Elephants of many colorful shades are described in couplets that invite the reader to complete the rhyme using color-themed clues. 
Check catalog availability

Story Mix for Three to Six Mini-Stories

At our Story Mix for Three to Six classes, our participants were often given questions or activities to complete or take home and bring back for the next week.  These delightful mini-stories were then shared with everyone in attendance.  We wanted to take this posting to share these colorful and cheerful responses with you!

• David was asked to draw a picture of a creepy, crawly bug.  His bug was a spider with 8 legs! 
•  Leila has a favorite hat that is light pink, with a big teal and pink flower to keep her warm on winter days. 
• Parker, Charlie and Noah all love ice cream sundaes and parfaits!  Their favorites are chocolate and vanilla and Parker likes his sundae with sprinkles.  
• Ethan was asked how many pairs of shoes he has and he counted 2 and 1 pair of boots.  He said boys don't have many shoes.  But Josiah said he has 6 pairs of shoes and Owen said he had 9 pairs!
•  Hannah and Malaina both say when they go to sleep at night, they like to wear their favorite purple pajamas!  Avah prefers her favorite red pajamas when she goes to bed.
•  Raquel had fun dressing up in yellow fancy clothes. 
•  Brooke thought dressing up like Tinkerbell was pretty funny.
• Evan and Ella were asked what kind and color new shoes they would like.  Evan wants black, fast running shoes.  Ella wants brown gym shoes. 
•  Isaiah said when he sat on the couch or bed with his family, there were 10 feet!  That's 5 pairs!  
•  Jaxon is the oldest in his family, and he has a younger sister.  Lisbeth also has a sister, but her sister is older.  Teagan is the youngest and has 2 big brothers!
• Camila shared the names of her family members with us at class.
• Yisel sang the alphabet, while Logan, Gabriella and Haylie all sang different songs!
•  All the kids wanted a hug from porcupine!  And all the kids love hugs! Joey said he gets hugs from mommy and daddy and he hugs them back.    

Each week the children were asked to read a book and tell the class which book they read:

• Jose read a Cars 2 book
• Yisel read a princess story
• Joey read Minnie's Valentine
• Raquel read Fancy Nancy and the Boy From Paris which you can check out from the library!
•  Teagan read Dogerella
• David read Born Yesterday which you can check out from the library!
• Brooke read Rhyme Time Valentine which you can check out from the library!
•  Gabriella read Pokey Little Puppy.
• Malaina read Where is the Green Sheep? which you can check out from the library!
• Parker read Buenas Noches Gorilla which you can check out from the library!
• Peyton read Daddy's Girl which you can check out from the library!
• Haylie read Lucky Duck which you can check out from the library!
• Noah read Biscuit, T. Rex, Eensy, Weensy Spider, and Curious George. 
• Evan read Franklin's Nickname, Curious George Plants a Seed, and two Caillou books.

Terrific Twos: Bicycles Go ROUND AND ROUND!

It's Terrific Two Year Old time!  We are concluding our winter theme of 'things that go' with BICYCLES!  The topic of wheels, things that go, motion and sound is one every child can enjoy.  As we approach the spring season in the coming months, encourage your child to get outside and ride a bicycle or pull a wagon.  This week's selection of rhymes and stories engage your child to use their hands and feet to mimic pedaling and steering along with making sounds like a bell.  Through making sounds and motions, children learn the letters and sounds words make, engages children's imaginations and helps them get Ready to Read!


One Wheel Rhyme   
One wheel, two wheels,  (make circles with fingers)
On the ground.
My feet make the pedals
Go round and round.  (pretend to pedal)
The handlebars help me
Steer so straight.   (pretend to steer)
Down the sidewalk and out the gate.

One wheel, two wheels,  (make circles with fingers)
On the ground.
My feet make the pedals
Go round and round.  (pretend to pedal)
The handlebars help me
Steer so straight.   (pretend to steer)
Down the sidewalk and out the gate.


My Bear is in the Wagon Rhyme
My bear is in the wagon waiting for a ride.
The sun is shining and it’s fun to be outside.
Here we go, I’ll pull him around fast.
And we’ll make this ride last and last and last.

My bear is in the wagon waiting for a ride.
The sun is shining and it’s fun to be outside.
Here we go, I’ll pull him around fast.
And we’ll make this ride last and last and last.


We read these books at Terrific Twos this week:

Sophie's Wheels by Debora Pearson
As Sophie grows and changes, her wheels change, too. Then one day Sophie is ready to try out a special set of wheels. They will carry her on a small but important journey unlike any she has been on before. 
Check catalog availability

At the Supermarket by Anne Rockwell
A mother and child fill a cart at the supermarket with everything from grapes to paper towels, finishing off with some very special items.
Check catalog availability

Check these books out for more bicycle riding fun!

Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen by Cari Best
When Sally Jean outgrows her beloved bicycle, Flash, she experiments with various ideas for acquiring a new, bigger one. 
Check catalog availability

Madison and the Two Wheeler by Vanita Braver
When Madison tries to ride her bike without training wheels, she feels discouraged at how hard it is, but with determination and the help of her parents, she finally succeeds. 
Check catalog availability

New Red Bike!  by James Ransome
Tom enjoys the thrill of riding his brand new bicycle, and then shares it with a friend. 
Check catalog availability

Terrific Twos: Trains Go CHOO CHOO!

It's Terrific Two Year Old time!  We are continuing with our fast moving theme of 'Things that GO!' and sharing rhymes and books about TRAINS!  Our selection of rhymes, songs and stories encourages active play and thoughtful fun for kids who like motion and movement.  Children will use hands and feet throughout the rhymes to create activity, such as making chugging motions.  Through making whistle sounds and other train noises such as the whoosh of a steam engine, children learn the letters and sounds words make.  Such simplicity of motion and sounds engages children's imaginations and helps them get Ready to Read!

I'm a Choo Choo Train Rhyme   
I’m a choo choo train chugging down the track.  (make chugging motions)
First I go forward, then I go back.
Now my bell is ringing, hear my whistle blow,  (make whistle noise)
What a lot of noise I make everywhere I go.
   
I’m a choo choo train chugging down the track.  (make chugging motions)
First I go forward, then I go back.
Now my bell is ringing, hear my whistle blow,  (make whistle noise)
What a lot of noise I make everywhere I go.

If I were a..... Rhyme
If I were a bus or a car,
I would roll down the road.  (roll hands)
If I were a truck,
I would dump my heavy load.  (let hands fall)
If I were an airplane,
I would fly up to the sky.  (spread arms like wings)
If I were a boat,
I would make waves as I went by.  (make waves)
If I were a train,
I would chug along the track.  (train motions)
But I am a person,
So I will walk there and back.

For more train fun, check out these books we read at Terrific Twos this week: 

A Train Goes Clickety Clack by Jonathan London
Trains are fast. Trains are sleek. Trains make wonderful sounds as the wheels clatter, boilers hiss, and couplings clang. This playful picture book captures the excitement of trains through evocative language and vibrant illustrations. 
Check catalog availability

I Love Trains by Philemon Sturges
A boy expresses his love of trains, describing many kinds of train cars and their special jobs. 
Check catalog availability

Terrific Twos: Boats go ZOOOOOM!

It's Terrific Two Year Old time!  We are continuing with our animated theme of 'Things that GO!' and sharing rhymes and books about BOATS!  Our selection of rhymes, songs and stories encourages active play and thoughtful fun for kids who like motion and movement.  Children will use hands and feet throughout the rhymes to create activity, such as pretending to row a boat or moving their arms and hands like waves in the water.

There is also a Valentine themed rhyme in which you can pretend to make a Valentine!  Or for more fun, bring out the craft supplies and make real Valentine's for everyone your Terrific Two year old loves!  Crafts are a great way for your little one to enhance their imagination, as well as, engage important hand and eye coordination for improving fine motor skills.


Waves, Waves Rhyme
Waves, waves, back and forth, (move hands like waves)
Rock the boat all day.
We row and row so we can go (pretend to row)
Somewhere far away.  (look with “binocular hands”)   

Five Little Boats Rhyme (From our friends at King County Library System)
The first little boat went chug, chug, chug.
The second little boat went tug, tug, tug.
The third little boat went row, row, row.
The fourth little boat went ohhh sooo slowww.
Here comes the sailboat,
Watch it GO!

Row, Row, Row Your Boat (From our friends at King County Library System)
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Row row row your boat
gently down the stream.
If you see a crocodile
Don't forget to scream!

To make this rhyme even more fun, turn it into a game in which you sit down holding hands, and rock back and forth like a boat as you sing the song.

Let's Make a Valentine Rhyme
Snip, snip, snip the paper.  (scissor motion)
Glue, glue glue the paper.   (glue stick motion)
Press, press, press the paper.  (pressing motion)
Here’s a valentine for you!  (give valentine away)

We read these books at Terrific Twos this week: 

My Blue Boat by Chris L. Demarest
While playing with a blue boat in the bathtub, a young girl imagines she is on an ocean voyage.
Check catalog availability

Boats by Anne Rockwell
Depicts boats and ships of varying sizes and uses.
Check catalog availability

Mouses's First Valentine by  Lauren Thompson
Mouse watches his sister making a valentine and wonders what it is. 
Check catalog availability

Terrific Twos: Buses go BEEP! BEEP!

It's Terrific Two Year Old time!  We are continuing with our animated theme of 'Things that GO!' and sharing rhymes and books about BUSES!  Our selection of rhymes, songs and stories encourages active play and thoughtful fun for kids who like motion and movement.  Children will use hands and feet throughout the rhymes to create activity, such as wheels going around in a circle, waving arms like airplane or walking back and forth.  Such simplicity engages children's imaginations.

If I Were a Bus or a Car Rhyme
If I were a bus or a car,
I would roll down the road.  (roll hands)
If I were a truck,
I’d dump my heavy load.  (let hands fall)
If I were an airplane,
I would fly up in the sky.  (spread arms like wings)
If I were a boat,
I’d make waves as I went by.  (make wave motions)
If I were a train,
I’d chug along the tracks.  (pump arms like train)
But since I’m a person,
I will walk there and back.  (walking motion)

The Wheels on the Bus (From our friends at the King County Library System)
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
Round and round, round and round,
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
All through the town.

The people on the bus go up and down,
Up and down, up and down,
The people on the bus go up and down,
All through the town.
The money on the bus goes clink, clink, clink,
Clink, clink, clink, clink, clink, clink,
The money on the bus goes clink, clink, clink,
All through the town.

Repeat the song using other elements of the bus such as the wipers or the horn:
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish…
The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep…
The babies on the bus go wah, wah, wah…
The driver on the bus says move on back…
The doors on the bus go open and shut…
The grandmothers on the bus go knit, knit, knit…
The grandfathers on the bus go ZZZ, ZZZ, ZZZ…
The mothers on the bus say I Love You…
The fathers on the bus say I Love You Too…
All through the town.

We read these stories about buses at Terrific Twos: 

Maisy Drives the Bus by Lucy Cousins
Maisy the mouse picks up an assortment of passengers as she drives her bus. 
Check catalog availability

Bus Stop by Janet Morgan Stoeke
Kindergartners gather for their exciting first ride on the school bus.
Check catalog availability