No storytime today? Why visit the library?

Weekly storytimes are done until after the holiday season, so why bother heading to the library with your little ones in tow?  Here are five great reasons:

Playaway View

1. Regular visits lead to more reading.  Whether you sit and read together in a comfy corner of the library or check out a stack of books to read at home, you will be starting your child on a lifetime of learning.   
2. Exposure to more books, toys, puzzles, puppets, CD's, and other materials than you have in your home.  There's no pressure to be ultra-selective when the items are free to check out.   Remember too, that our children's librarians can recommend books that may broaden your child's tastes and expose him to something completely new, such as wordless picture books,  Playaway Views, or kits featuring books with accompanying CD's.  
3. Library time is quality time spent with your child.  There is such a variety of activities for your child to choose to do with you as his playmate in the Early Learning Center - do the weekly craft, the literacy or STEAM activity,  complete a puzzle together, talk about the fish in the tank, pretend to make dinner in the play kitchen, and many, many more!  
4. Learning how to take care of things is a valuable lesson for your child. Encourage him to treat materials with care in the library and on loan in your home so that they last and can be enjoyed by everyone in the community.
5. Practice social skills.  The library is a busy place for your child to practice his developing skills of sharing, taking turns, communicating with others, problem solving, empathy, and so on.    

Of course, there are many special programs taking place at the library over the storytime break.  Click on the following link to access our calendar for complete information.  Events at Gail Borden Public Library    

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.

Ten Summer Activities You Can Do Together: Vacation Ideas

Are you going on a vacation or trip this summer?  Is it somewhere adventurous, sunny and warm, or a staycation in your backyard?  No matter where you go on your summer journey, we have a group of  Ten Summer Activities You Can Do Together perfect for sharing with the whole family.  All of these activities are designed to be done while on a trip or while getting to your destination!  Don't forget to visit the library and check out some books to read while you're gone or discover some audio books to listen to on your journey.  Be sure you indicate on your Summer Reading log all the progress you make.  

1. Make a list of what to pack in your suitcase
2. Make a tent inside using blankets or outside with a tent and play camping
3. Draw a picture of you and your family swimming in a lake
4. Go on a hike or ride your bike at a forest preserve
5. Collect seashells or rocks and count them
6. Write a postcard and send it to Grandma or Grandpa
7. Play I spy with license plates or the traffic signs you see
8. Find the state or country on a map where a friend or relative lives
9. Read a book about your favorite vacation spot or a place you want to visit
10. Sing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” (Get the lyrics from Bussongs.com)

Ten Summer Activities You Can Do Together: Reading is SO Delicious Part 2

Reading is SO Delicious!  Have you signed up for the Summer Reading Program at the library?  Children from birth through 35 months are encouraged to sign up to become a "Little Listener."  This is a great program for parents and caregivers to incorporate the 5 essential early literacy skills into your everyday routine!

We have even more food-based ideas in this part two of our Reading is SO Delicious Summer Activities to Do Together. Check out a book to read together and then share some delicious fun with these food games.  Don't forget to color in the shapes of your reading log when you complete the activity. You can do these at the library, at home, at the park, at the pool, or wherever you find time together!
 

1. V is for vegetable – list your favorites
2. Make DIRT with pudding, Oreo cookies and gummy worms
3. Draw a flower for Mom or Grandma
4. Sing the "Ten Red Apples" song (From our friends at King County Library System)
5. Visit a farmstand
6. Take a taste test and determine which is better:  cooked or raw carrots
7. Make ants on a log using celery, peanut butter and raisins
8. Count the seeds in a slice of watermelon
9. Read a book that describes how a plant grows then talk about what you learn
10. Help weed or dig up a new garden OR plant a seed in a paper cup

Ten Summer Activities You Can Do Together: Cars and Trucks and Planes and Trains OH MY!

 ZOOOOOOOOM and VROOOOOOM!  CHOO CHOO!  Select a book about cars, trucks or other moving objects such as an airplane or train from the library and read the story with your child.  Then, help reinforce the sounds, actions and names of the objects by trying one or all of these activities.  You can do these at the library, at home, at the park, at the pool, or wherever you find time together! 

1. Count all the blue (or red or green or brown, etc.) trucks you see
2. Sing Wheels On The Bus or Wheels on the Car
3. Draw a picture of the car you would like
4. Help Mom & Dad or Grandma & Grandpa wash the family car
5. Find a box and make a car
6. Use wheels and paint to make tracks on paper
7. Read a book about different types of trains
8. Use the lid of a pot as a steering wheel and pretend to drive a _(Choose car, truck, etc.)_ to the _(Choose a location such as the store)_
9. What words rhyme with car? What words rhyme with plane? What words rhyme with truck? What words rhyme with train?
10. Use small toy cars to form the 1st initial of your name

Ten Summer Activities You Can Do Together: Reading is SO Delicious!

Reading is SO Delicious!  Have you signed up for the Summer Reading Program at the library?  Children from birth through 35 months are encouraged to sign up to become a "Little Listener."  This is a great program for parents and caregivers to incorporate the 5 essential early literacy skills into your everyday routine!

Check out a book to read together and then share some delicious fun with these food games.  Don't forget to color in the shapes of your reading log when you complete the activity. You can do these at the library, at home, at the park, at the pool, or wherever you find time together!

1. Visit a grocery store
2. Make a list of your favorite foods
3. Pack and enjoy a picnic
4. Write a recipe for a sandwich
5. Make play dough or clay food
6. Spell out your name in cereal
7. Put a vegetable into a brown bag and let the grown up reach in and guess
8. Count the fruit at your house or a store
9. Try a new flavor of ice cream or dessert
10. Sing the "Ten Vegetables" rhyme (From our friends at King County Library System)

Ten Summer Activities You Can Do Together: All About ANIMALS

Bring the fun and silliness of animals into your day!  Select a book about animals from the library and read the story with your child.  Then, help reinforce the sounds, actions and names of the animals by trying one or all of these animal activities.  You can do these at the library, at home, at the park, at the pool, or wherever you find time together!

1. Visit a farm or petting zoo
2. Sing  a song such as "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" or "Farmer In The Dell"  (From our friends at King County Library System)
3. Count the legs on a cow
4. Make a list of animals you would see in a zoo
5. Count the geese at a pond
6. Make a parade of your toys/stuffed animals
7. What animals like bananas?
8. Make a lion mask
9. Walk like a penguin or gallop like a horse
10. Add an animal to the story you read and talk about:  What would they do? What sounds would they make?  What would they look like?

Wonderful Ones: Clap, Pat, Stretch, Repeat!

Babies love to move their bodies by dancing, hopping, bopping and being silly.  These activities also help your baby learn motor skills, learn communication skills, and helps build self-confidence as he or she learns to do new motions.  Clap along or pat your hands on your knees to rhymes and songs you sing together, stretch your arms out wide or small to indicate sizes,  and use your facial expressions to share moods and thoughts.   Bending, stretching, and bouncing to rhythms also allows babies to not only hear, but feel the motion of syllables and sounds which allows for learning new words and speech.

Clap Your Hands Rhyme
Clap, clap, clap your hands,
Clap your hands with me.
Clap them fast,
Clap them slow,
Clap your hands with me.

Pat, pat, pat your knees,
Pat your knees with me.
Pat them fast,
Pat them slow,
Pat your hands with me.

Stretch, stretch, stretch your arms,
Stretch your arms with me.
Stretch them fast,
Stretch them slow,
Stretch your arms with me. 

Bright Sun Song
Bright sun shining down,
Shining on the ground.
What a lovely face you have,
Yellow, big, and round!


Me, Me, Me Rhyme
Me, me, me
Look at me
And you will see
Ten fingers, ten toes
Two arms, two legs
Two eyes, two ears
One head, one nose
All on me.

Me, me, me
Look at me
And you will see
Ten fingers, ten toes
Two arms, two legs
Two eyes, two ears
One head, one nose
All on me.

We read these fun books at this week's Wonderful Ones class:

This Little Baby Goes Out by Lynn Breeze
A toddler has an exciting adventure in the park with his mother. 
Check catalog availability

Baby Loves Visiting by Michael Lawrence
Baby and mother go out to do errands and see friends and then go back home again. 
Check catalog availability

Story Mix for Three to Six: ZANY ZOO ANIMALS: Mischievous Monkeys

We are continuing our theme of ZANY ZOO ANIMALS and this week is all about those silly and mischievous monkeys who swing from the trees!  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 monkey or one eating a banana 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.

The monkey in the tree goes eek, eek, eek
eek, eek, eek, eek, eek, eek,
The monkey in the tree goes eek, eek, eek
All through the zoo.


Five Little Bananas Counting Song
Five little bananas
Swinging in a tree
If a monkey picks one
And carries it away
How many bananas
Will be left to sway?
 
Four little bananas
Swinging in a tree
If a monkey picks one
And carries it away
How many bananas
Will be left to sway?

Three little bananas
Swinging in a tree
If a monkey picks one
And carries it away
How many bananas
Will be left to sway?

Two little bananas
Swinging in a tree
If a monkey picks one
And carries it away
How many bananas
Will be left to sway?

One little banana
Swinging in a tree
If a monkey picks one
And carries it away
How many bananas
Will be left to sway?

I'm a Little Monkey Song (Sung to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot)
I’m a little monkey in the tree
Swinging by my tail so merrily
I can leap and fly from tree to tree
I have lots of fun you see
I’m a little monkey, watch me play
Munching on bananas every day
Lots of monkey friends to play with me
We have fun up in the tree.

Enjoy these monkey and animal themed books we read at Story Mix this week:

Watch Out! Big Bro's Coming! by Jez Alborough
Terror spreads through the jungle as animals hear the news that rough, tough Big Bro is coming. 
Check catalog availability

Little Gorilla by Ruth Bornstein
Little Gorilla's family and friends try to help him overcome his special growing pains. 
Check catalog availability

Where's My Mom? by Julia Donaldson
A butterfly tries to help a lost young monkey find its mother in the jungle, meeting many different animals along the way. 
Check catalog availability

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

Wonderful Ones: It's Playtime!

Playtime is a great way to introduce early literacy skills to your child!   Using these rhymes, songs and stories, you are encouraging playing while teaching babies about hands, feet, and actions of each body part.  Through such playtime and rhythmic language, children learn to think symbolically.  They also learn and practice essential oral language skills by putting thoughts into words and making connections between sounds, letters and objects.   

Put Your Finger On... (sung to the tune of 'If You’re Happy And You Know It')
Put your finger on your toes, on your toes,
Put your finger on your toes, on your toes.
Put your finger on your toes,
Put your finger on your toes,
Put your finger on your toes, on your toes.
 
Put your finger on your tummy, on your tummy,
Put your finger on your tummy, on your tummy.
Put your finger on your tummy,
Put your finger on your tummy,
Put your finger on your tummy, on your tummy.

Put your finger on your head, on your head,
Put your finger on your head, on your head.
Put your finger on your head,
Put your finger on your head,
Put your finger on your head, on your head.

One, Two, Three Rhyme
One, two, three,
Count with me.
It’s as easy as can be –
Four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
Now let’s start it once again.

Teddy Bear Can Rhyme (sung to the tune of 'Muffin Man')
Teddy bear can turn around,
Turn around, turn around.
Teddy bear can turn around,
You can do it too!

Teddy bear can clap his hands,
Clap his hands.  Clap his hands. 
Teddy bear can clap his hands,
You can do it too!

Teddy bear can jump up and down,
Jump up and down, jump up and down. 
Teddy bear can jump up and down,
You can do it too!

For more playtime fun, check out these books we read at Wonderful Ones:

Playtime by Baby’s World
Photographs of babies playing with balls, bubbles, and bells. 
Check catalog availability

Playing by Liesbet Slegers 
Pushing a toy car, kicking a ball, stacking blocks, playing a drum, and reading a book are just some of the ways a baby plays.
Check catalog availability

Wonderful Ones: Tippy Tippy Toes

This week at Wonderful Ones, we bring together several interactive rhymes that will help your little one learn eye-hand coordination, flexibility and even critical thinking skills.  Games such as these also help baby learn to associate sounds and words with objects. By stamping your feet, stretching your arms, tip toeing, and moving up and down like a merry-go-round, you are also helping your baby learn to associate movements with the action word. 

I Can! Rhyme
I can!  I can!  I can!  (clap hands)
Stamp my feet.
I can!  I can!  I can! (clap hands)
Stamp my feet.

I can!  I can!  I can!  (clap hands)
Stretch up high.
I can!  I can!  I can! (clap hands)
Stretch up high.
 
I can!  I can!  I can!  (clap hands)
Touch my nose.
I can!  I can!  I can! (clap hands)
Touch my nose.


Tippy Toe Rhyme
Tippy tippy tiptoe, off we go. (tiptoe fingers up arm)
Tippy tippy tiptoe, to and fro.  (tiptoe fingers over head)
Tippy tippy tiptoe, through the house.  (tiptoe fingers down other arm)
Tippy tippy tiptoe, quiet as a mouse.

Tippy tippy tiptoe, off we go. (tiptoe fingers up arm)
Tippy tippy tiptoe, to and fro.  (tiptoe fingers over head)
Tippy tippy tiptoe, through the house.  (tiptoe fingers down other arm)
Tippy tippy tiptoe, quiet as a mouse.

Merry-Go-Round Song
(Rock baby on lap)
Merry-go-round, merry-go-round,
We go riding all around.
First we’re up, then we’re down,
We go riding all around.
Hold on tight and don’t fall down.

Merry-go-round, merry-go-round,
We go riding all around.
First we’re up, then we’re down,
We go riding all around.
Hold on tight and don’t fall down.

We read these books at Wonderful Ones this week: 

Peekaboo Morning by Rachel Isadora
A toddler plays peek-a-boo throughout the day.
Check catalog availability

One Beautiful Baby by Martin Oborne
Counts all of the characteristics of a beautiful baby from one smile to ten sticky fingers.
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

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

Story Mix Week for Three to Six: Favorite Characters Max and Ruby

This week in our Story Mix post, we are devoting rhymes and books about a lovable brother and sister pair, Max and Ruby!  Max and Ruby are two bunny children who love to invent and imagine.  Ruby is the older sister who often teaches her little brother Max important lessons such as sharing and playing. 

Incorporate playtime into your daily routine!  Such active play helps elevate children's imaginations and allows them to embrace their creativity.  Share and read a Max and Ruby book together! 

For more Max and Ruby, visit their site on Nick, Jr. 
Get more information on their creator, author and illustrator, Rosemary Wells

Ants Fingerplay (sung to the tune of 'Are You Sleeping?')
Big ants, little ants
Big ants, little ants
See them crawl
Up the wall
Creepy, creepy crawling
Never, never falling
Ants, ants, ants
Ants, ants, ants

Cake Batter Action Rhyme
Mix the batter
Stir the batter   
Shake some flour in
Mix the batter
Stir the batter
Pour it in a tin
Sprinkle raisins in it
Pop it in to bake
Open wide the oven door
And out comes a cake!


For more Max and Ruby Fun, check out these books by Rosemary Wells:

Click here for a full list of books by Rosemary Wells at the library.

Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells
Check catalog availability

Max's ABC by Rosemary Wells
Check catalog availability

Max and Ruby's Bedtime Book by Rosemary Wells
Check catalog availability

Ruby's Tea for Two by Rosemary Wells
Check catalog availability

1, 2, 3 Go! Counting, Colors, Clothing

This week's 1, 2, 3 Go! class incorporates many different learning themes including counting, rhyming, repetition, colors and clothing.  Counting aloud not only introduces new sounds and words to help build vocabulary, but also creates a stimulating learning environment.  Rhyming helps young children remember these important concepts and reinforces what they are learning in a positive manner.  Playing dress up and learning about clothing items helps elevate children's imaginations and allows them to embrace their creativity.  Taking these games and including color elements enriches the concept even more.  

For example, when you count evergreens talk about trees and what colors they are throughout the seasons.  When you sing the colorful noses rhyme, children are already using colors in addition to learning new words such as shoe and jumping.  Rhyming is included in almost every rhyme, and it reinforces the ideas in the songs. 

Six Little Evergreens Rhyme
Six little trees standing in a row,
Their prickly needles all covered with snow.
The first tree is short.
The second tree is tall.
The third tree looks like it just might fall.
The fourth tree is skinny.
The fifth tree is stumpy.
The sixth tree’s bark is rough and bumpy!
Six little trees standing in a row,
Their prickly needles all covered with snow.

Colorful Noses Rhyme
Brown bear, brown bear, nose so black, rub your tummy and touch your back.
Brown bear, brown bear, nose so red, pat your legs and nod your head.
Brown bear, brown bear, nose so blue, touch your knee and then your shoe.
Brown bear, brown bear, nose so green, jump up like a jumping bean.
Brown bear, brown bear, nose so pink, close your eyes and make them blink. 
Brown bear, brown bear, nose so white, hide your hands out of sight.   

Bears Are Sleeping Rhyme
Bears are sleeping, bears are sleeping,
In their lairs, in their lairs.  (Pretend to sleep)
Soon it will be springtime, soon it will be springtime,
Wake up, bears!  Wake up bears!  (Pretend to wake up)

Bears are sleeping, bears are sleeping,
In their lairs, in their lairs.  (Pretend to sleep)
Soon it will be springtime, soon it will be springtime,
Wake up, bears!  Wake up bears!  (Pretend to wake up)

It’s Not That Cold Outside Song 
I don’t want to wear my coat, wear my coat, wear my coat.
I don’t want to wear my coat.
It’s not that cold outside.

I don’t want to wear my hat, wear my hat, wear my hat.
I don’t want to wear my hat.
It’s not that cold outside.   

(Repeat verse with other items such as scarf, boots or gloves)

We read these books at 1, 2, 3 Go! this week: 

Kate's Surprise by Ann Burg
Pete wants to play out in the snow, but he doesn't feel well until his sister cheers him up.
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Kitten's Winter by Eugenie Fernandez
A young kitten explores the woods on a cold winter day as other animals shelter from the weather or engage in their usual seasonal activities.
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Story Mix for Three to Six: Playing Dress Up

Boys and Girls both love to play dress up, whether it be in a fancy princess costume or pretending to be a crime fighting superhero.  This week's Story Mix offers stories for children to incorporate dressing up at playtime! Such active play helps elevate children's imaginations and allows them to embrace their creativity.

Children also love to count and compare, as displayed in the Fancy Valentine rhyme below,  which help them continue to learn. Incorporate such counting and color games into dress up playtime by asking questions such as how many shoes we wear or what color is our hat?  Such games help children get ready to read!


Fancy Valentines Fingerplay Rhyme
5 fancy valentines waiting in the store,
Fancy Nancy bought one,
And then there were 4
4 pretty valentines for you and me,
Fancy Nancy bought one,
And then there were 3
3 pretty valentines wondering what to do,
Fancy Nancy bought one,
And then there were 2
2 pretty valentines thinking up some fun,
Fancy Nancy bought one,
And then there was 1
1 pretty valentine said “buy me and run!”
Fancy Nancy did that,
And then there were none

The Kettles Get New Clothes by Dayle Ann Dodds
When the small town store where they usually buy their clothes changes hands, the Kettles are in for a surprise on their annual shopping trip. 
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Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor
A young girl who loves fancy things helps her family to be fancy for one special night. 
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Ooh La La Polka-Dot Boots by Ellen Olson-Brown
Illustrations and brief rhyming text sing the praises of polka dot boots, which add panache to any outfit. 
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Too Purpley! by Jean Reidy
A young girl rejects many outfits before finding the perfect clothes to wear. 
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1, 2 3, Go! Spectaular Snow

Snowmen, snowballs, snowforts!  Does your little one like to create things in the snow?  Incorporating snow themed playtime into singing rhymes and songs makes for a fun time learning to get ready to read!  Action rhymes such as those below encourage interaction with your child through movements and activity.  Through such playtime, children ask questions and search for answers, which also helps them learn new information.  Children also love to count and compare, as displayed in the counting and color rhymes below,  which help them continue to learn.


Here is a Hill Rhyme
Here is a hill all covered with snow (Put one hand on hip and make it “snow” with the other hand)
We’ll take our sleds up.  (Walk fingers up the arm on the hip)
And zoom down we’ll go! (Fly fingers quickly down arm)

A Funny Little Snowman
A funny little snowman had a carrot nose.
Along came a bunny and what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny looking for his lunch,
Ate the snowman’s carrot with a nibble, nibble, crunch!

The Itsy Bitsy Snowman  (To the tune of Itsy Bitsy Spider)
The Itsy-Bitsy snowman was standing in the snow.  (Hold arms in circle)
Down came some snowflakes...they made the snowman grow.  (Wiggle fingers downward)
Out came the sun to shine its golden rays, (Hold arms to make sun)
Which warmed the little snowman and melted him away.  (Hug self and slump to floor)

Five Friendly Snowmen 
Adapted from Five Little Snowmen on Karen for Kids CD by Karen Banks Lubicz

5 friendly snowmen white and round,
Made with snow that fell on the ground.
Out came the sun and melted one,
Now the one with the yellow scarf is all done.

4 friendly snowmen white and round,
Made with snow that fell on the ground.
Out came the sun and melted one,
Now the one with the orange scarf is all done.

3 friendly snowmen white and round,
Made with snow that fell on the ground.
Out came the sun and melted one,
Now the one with the green scarf is all done.

2 friendly snowmen white and round,
Made with snow that fell on the ground.
Out came the sun and melted one,
Now the one with the blue scarf is all done.

One friendly snowman white and round,
Made with snow that fell on the ground.
Out came the sun,
So the one with the red scarf decided to run!

Let's Make a Snowman
Adapted from I Can Make a Snowman on Highly Usable Music (HUM) CD by Carole Peterson

I can make a snowman,
A snowman, a snowman.
I can make a snowman,
My snowman will be white!

Anyone can make a white one! Let’s make ours different colors.
Close your eyes and think of the color of grass.

I can make a snowman,
A snowman, a snowman.
I can make a snowman,
My snowman will be: GREEN!

Now let’s do it again.
Repeat the song with additional colors such as:
Close your eyes and think of the color of the Sun. My snowman will be YELLOW!
Close your eyes and think of the color of the Sky. My snowman will be BLUE!
Close your eyes and think of the color of a Strawberry:. My snowman will be RED!


We also read these books about snow:

The Snowy Day be Ezra Jack Keats
Winner of the 1963 Caldecott medal.  The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day. 
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Millions of Snowflakes by Mary McKenna Siddals
As snow begins to fall, a child counts the flakes, enjoying every one. 
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Story Mix for Three to Six: Snow!

Brrrr.  It's cold out there!  However, I bet your little one loves to play in the snow!  Include these rhymes in your outdoor playtime fun as you crunch your feet in the snow or slide down a hill!  Or take some of those winter elements and bring them indoors where it's warm with these great rhymes and stories.  Through the songs and rhymes, consonance and dissonance are incorporated in words such as 'crunch' and 'straps', which help children hear the sounds letters and words make.  This language technique builds language so that words like 'feathery' become part of a child's vocabulary.

Put On Our Mittens Rhyme
Let’s put on our mittens and button our coats
Wrap a scarf snugly around our throats
Pull on our boots and fasten the straps
And tie on tightly our warm winter caps
Then open the door and out we go
Into the soft and feathery snow

Crunch Crunch Sliding Rhyme
Crunch crunch crunch crunch up the hill so slow
Sliding, sliding, sliding, sliding down the hill we go

Crunch crunch crunch crunch up the hill so slow
Sliding, sliding, sliding, sliding down the hill we go

Have more wintertime fun when you read these books we enjoyed at Story Mix this week:

The Hat by Jan Brett
When Lisa hangs her woolen clothes in the sun to air them out for winter, the hedgehog, to the amusement of the other animals, ends up wearing a stocking on his head. 
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A Hat for Minerva Louise by Janet Morgan Stoeke
Minerva Louise, a snow-loving chicken, mistakes a pair of mittens for two hats to keep both ends warm.
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The Mouse that Jack Built by Cyndy Szekeres
Jack the bunny builds a wonderful snowmouse, decorating it with his own ragged hat and scarf, which he is able to leave on the snowmouse when his mother surprises him with a new hat and scarf.
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Please Let it Snow by Harriet Ziefert
New boots, new jacket, new hat, but no snow! The charmingly impatient boy in this book just wants winter to arrive. But, day after day, the sun keeps on shining, until one day...
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Wonderful Ones: Wonderful Wintertime

Babies are usually bundled up in the winter, but take those hats, mittens, and coats off for fun stories, singing and fingerplays. The beginnings of communication are often through hand motions and movements. Through these songs like 'The Itsy Bitsy Snowflake',  'Winter Sun' and 'Snow is Falling Down', making hand motions and movements while you sing the songs helps babies learn eye-hand coordination, flexibility and even critical thinking skills.  Language represents the foundational basis for literacy learning in the early stages of development and helps babies get ready to read for when they do start school.

Itsy-Bitsy Snowflake Rhyme
The itsy-bitsy snowflake
Fell down from the sky.
It landed on my nose
And it bounced upon my eye.
It slid down to my chin
And it landed on my tongue.
Then it melted all away.
Now my snowflake song is done.

Winter Sun Rhyme
Winter sun, don’t you run,
Stay with me and have some fun.
Shine on my face, shine on me,
Shine on my arms, shine on my knee. 
Shine on my legs, shine on my hair,
Shine on my toes, shine everywhere!

Winter sun, don’t you run,
Stay with me and have some fun.
Shine on my face, shine on me,
Shine on my arms, shine on my knee. 
Shine on my legs, shine on my hair,
Shine on my toes, shine everywhere!

Snow is Falling Down Rhyme
Snow is falling down, shhhh.
Falling to the ground, shhhh.
Slowly, very slowly,
Snow is falling down, shhhh.

Snow is falling down, shhhh.
Falling to the ground, shhhh.
Slowly, very slowly,
Snow is falling down, shhhh.


We read these snowy books at Wonderful Ones this week:

Spot’s Snowy Day by Eric Hill
Spot has lots of fun in the snow with his family and friends. 
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What Can You Do in the Snow? By Anna Grossnickle Hines
Snow provides the opportunity to catch a snowflake, stamp a trail, or swoosh an angel.
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Animal Kisses by Barney Saltzberg
Introduces words which name textures associated with various animal kisses, such as scratchy cat kisses, velvety cow kisses, and rubbery fish kisses.
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