Stories & Reading
I tend to be thematic in my approach to Storytimes but it doesn't have to be that way! Books that are fun, engaging, and hold a child's interest (rule of thumb is one minute per year of age, not too long!) are best. There are so many quality resources for storytimes online, a few favorites are,
An ideal storytime does not involve little ones sitting still and listening to the story without interacting. Encourage questions. Point things out. Ask what they think. Encourage movement (flap your wings!). Have fun!
A storytime about eggs might look like this;
Stories to Share
When Blue Met Egg by Lindsay Ward
The Roly-Poly Egg by Kali Stileman
Flap Your Wings by P.D. Eastman
Whose Egg? by Lynette Evans
Hurry! Hurry! by Eve Bunting
These are some of my favorites, there are SO many, find ones that you like!
Songs
I Know a Chicken by Laurie Berkner (a classic!)
Three Cheers for Egg
Fingerplays/Rhymes
There are so many resources available on the internet, a simple Google search for "fingerplays and rhymes for children", will give you more than you need. A few favorites are;
Eggs in a nest
Here's an egg in a nest up in a tree. (make fist with right hand and place in palm of cupped left hand)
What's inside? What can it be? (shrug shoulders)
Peck, peck, peck, Peep, peep, peep.
Out hatches a little bird, Cute as can be! (Wiggle fingers on fisted hand)
Hatching Chickens
Five eggs and five eggs Are underneath a hen. (hold up one hand and then another)
Five eggs and five eggs, And that makes ten. (hold up all fingers)
The hen keeps the eggs warm for three long weeks (hold up three fingers)
Snap go the shells with tiny little beaks. (Snap fingers)
Crack, Crack, the shells go, The chickens, every one, (Clap four times)
Fluff out their feathers In the warm spring sun. (make circle of arms)
Colored Eggs
Blue egg, blue egg, Oh, what fun. Blue egg, blue egg, I found one.
Green egg, green egg, I see you. Green egg, green egg, Now I've two.
Red egg, red egg, Can you see? Red egg, red egg, Now I've three.
Yellow egg, yellow egg, Just one more. Yellow egg, yellow egg, Now I've four.
Activity
Plastic colored Easter eggs are big fun with this storytime. You can;
Have an Egg Race – with large kitchen spoons, have a race from one place to another, or just walk. Pass the eggs back and forth, to one another. Or roll the eggs, from one point to another or to each other. Talk about the eggs, the shape, the colors.
Musical Eggs. Pass one or more eggs back and forth or in a circle, while music plays. Stop the music and see who has a certain color of egg. Or name something that starts with the letter E. Name something that comes out of an egg. The possibilities are amazing!
Hide the Eggs. Have an egg hunt! Take turns hiding and finding the eggs (warning, little ones can play this game Forever!).
Note: none of this material was created by me. Much of it is public domain, original authors or creators are often hard to determine, so many creative minds use such material.
Stories & Reading
There are few things that you can do with a child that are more important than reading with them. The educational aspects of an enriched vocabulary, understanding how reading, letters and language work, and many others will help a child be ready to read when it's time to start school. And the social-emotional skills learned from hearing about other children, animals, the world around them. But perhaps the most important thing about reading to a small child is the love and attention they receive. The one on one, most likely snuggled up on a lap. Sharing the adventures and mysteries that wait inside a book. Having questions answered. Wondering together. Laughing together. Pure magic.
Share your favorites with them. Ask at your local library for suggestions. New titles, award winning titles. Or let your child pick. It's all good!
Storytime
Seriously, I get to sing, dance, read stories and play. At WORK! So. Much fun. And the little ones and their grownups enjoy it too. In my storytimes I share age appropriate stories. Encourage participation in singing and dancing. Use finger plays, rhymes, and props such as scarves, shaky eggs (if you don't know the song I Know a Chicken by Laurie Berkner Band, you MUST discover it!), and musical instruments, puppets and more to create a fun and educational experience. Storytimes are usually offered for all ages of children including babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Other programs can include all ages such as music and movement programs, playtimes and more.
Yes, Storytime is a blast. But what is happening for the little ones is critical on many levels. The basics of Storytime, generally accepted by most libraries and organizations connected with them, include 5 practices and 6 skills, that help children in many ways. More information on this can be found at Every Child Ready to Read, and Ohio Ready to Read.
Storytime at the library is a lot of fun, but many people aren't able to make it. No worries, the important things that happen during a Storytime can be done at home, any day, any time. All you need to do is;
Talk to your little one. Often. Talk to them as if they understand. Talking to your child and around your child is one of the most important parts in developing language skills. And listen to them.
Sing. As if no one is listening, seriously. Music is another super important piece for little ones in developing language. The rhythm and rhyme in music helps build a foundation for syllables, sentences, and more. Your child doesn't care if you can't carry a tune in a bucket, sing with them!
Read. Every day, at least once, more if possible. Read your childhood favorites. Read about things your child is interested in. Read the same story every day or night. Read it ten times in a row. Get recommendations from a librarian. Reading to your child is so very important.
Write. Allow your child to "write" with pencil and paper. Or. Just about anything! pencils, pens, markers, crayons, chalk. Any writing utensil will do. Their "scribbles" are developing pre-writing skills, a very first understanding that a mark on paper represents a letter that represents a sound that forms a word. Magic! And it's excellent practice for developing fine motor coordination.
Play. Most Early Childhood Education organizations will agree, play is the work of childhood. Little ones learn a great deal from playing. And often times, simple play is best. Toys like blocks that can be stacked, knocked down, sorted, thrown (yes...), are great play based learning. Allow them to experiment. See what fits inside or doesn't. How things feel, sound, and yes, taste. It's a developmental thing, they will stop putting things in their mouth. And repeat. Repetition is how we master something and play for a child is no different. Playing with the same toy in the same way, for long periods of time is helping your child's brain development!
And let's not forget the very most important things you can do for your child...love them. Be kind. Be gentle. Be understanding. Be there when they need you most.