Colorful Storytime for 2s and 3s

1. Song: Glad to See you by Peter & Ellen Allard on the CD Sing it! Say it! Stamp it! Sway it! Vol.2

2. Regular Opening Song (to tune of the Mulberry Bush)

This is the way our hands say hello,
With a clap, clap-clap, Clap, clap-clap
This the way our hands say hello,
With a clap, clap-clap, clap-clap

This is the way our knees say hello,

With a tap tap-tap,

Tap tap-tap
This is the way our knees say hello,

With a tap tap-tap, tap-tap

This is the way we wave hello,

Wave hello, wave hello

This is the way we wave hello,

So early in the morning

3. Book: Duckies Rainbow by Frances Barry

4. Action poem: Say and Touch

Say "red" and touch your head.
Say "sky" and touch your eye.
Say "bear" and touch your hair.
Say "south" and touch your mouth.
Say "rose" and touch your nose.
Say "in" and touch your chin.
Say "rest" and touch your chest.
Say "farm" and touch your arm.
Say "yummy" and touch your tummy.
Say "bee" and touch your knee.
Say "neat" and touch your feet"

5. Song: Legs and Arms by Pancake Manor

6. Book: Cat's Color by Jane Cabrera

7. Flannel board rhyme: Five Little Kitty Cats

5 little kitty cats playing near the door.

One ran and hid inside, then there were 4.

4 little kitty cats underneath a tree,

One heard a dog bark, then there were 3.

3 little kitty cats wondering what to do.

One ran to chase a bird, then there were 2.

2 Little kitty cats sitting in the sun.

One ran to catch his tail, then there was 1.

1 little kitty cat looking for some fun.

He saw a butterfly, then there were none.



8. Book: Giant Pop-Out Shapes, A Pop-Out Surprise Book

This book was a huge success with the children! The kids loved guessing the shapes and colors presented on each page. They were well engaged and entertained till the end of the book. This books is also very educational for toddlers by reinforcing their colors and shapes!

9. Goodbye song (to the tune of Mulberry Bush)

This is the way our hands say goodbye,
With a clap clap-clap,
Clap, clap-clap
This is the way our hands say goodbye,
With a clap clap-clap, clap-clap

This is the way our knees say goodbye,
With a tap, tap-tap,
Tap tap-tap
This is the way our knees say goodbye,
With a tap tap-tap, tap-tap

This is the way we wave goodbye,
Wave goodbye, wave goodbye,
This is the way we wave goodbye,
Goodbye until next time

Other Books to Consider:

WOW! Said the Owl by Tim Hopgood

I Say, You Say COLORS! by Ted Carpenter

This is a fun book that promotes interactive learning for the young readers. I Say, You Say COLORS! enhances reading skills through repetition, practicing new words and matching. 

Autumn Orange by Christine C. Jones, Illustrated by Todd Ouren

This is also a darling book that is perfect if you are presenting the storytime in the fall!

Brown Bear Brown Bear by Bill Martin Jr, Illustrated by Eric Carle

This book could also be made into a flannel board story if you have the time to trace the animals from the book and color them using Pellon. If you've never made a flannelboard story using pellon, click here to learn how to do it. Although this blogger says to use crayons, I'm lucky to have a nice selection of fabric markers at work to use. The fabric markers work EXCELLENT.

Bedtime Storytime for 2s and 3s!

1. Regular Opening Song (to tune of the Mulberry Bush)

This is the way our hands say hello,
With a clap, clap-clap, Clap, clap-clap
This the way our hands say hello,
With a clap, clap-clap, clap-clap

This is the way our knees say hello,
With a tap tap-tap,
Tap tap-tap
This is the way our knees say hello,
With a tap tap-tap, tap-tap

This is the way we wave hello,
Wave hello, wave hello
This is the way we wave hello,
So early in the morning

2. Book: Tuck Me In! By Dean Hacohen and Sherry Scharschmidt

This book is so darling. It names many baby animals that need to be tucked in and the illustrations are adorable and vibrant. Each animal presented has a half-sized page on the right that is the bespread which you turn over to tuck the animal in. It is such a fun book and it's perfect for this age group. I asked children to name the animals as I read through the book which helps to build their vocabulary!

3. Flannelboard: My Stuffed Animals Get Ready For Bed by Annie Inches

This is an excellent children's book that can be made into a wonderful flannelboard story. You can act out some of the words while you put the pictures of the animals onto the flannel board. The animal names are bolded in red and you can use any clipart that suits your fancy!

My stuffed animals are wild - not sleepy at all.
Tumbling and twirling, they dance down the hall.
They slide and they squeel-one stands on his head.
How can I get these guys ready for bed?

My furry polar bear goes scrub-a-dub-dub.
Hush, furry polar bear-get out of the tub.

My scruffy monkey bangs a pot on his head.
Hush, scruffy monkey-hop into your bed.

My squeely pink pig plays electric guitar.
Hush, pink pig-wish on a star.

My little red hen eats alphabet soup.
Hush, little hen-climb into your coop.

My fluffy kitten hides under the rug.
Hush, fluffy kitten-give me a hug.

My spotted cow signs songs to the lambies.
Hush, spotted cow-put on your jammies.

My slippery snake slithers and hisses.
Hush, slippery snake-blow me some kisses.

My velvety horse asks for some light.
hush, velvety horse-now say goodnight

My shaggy llama winds up his clock.
Hush, shaggy llama-hush-hush and tick tock.

My scaly dragon stretches and yawns.
Hush, scaly dragon-the curtains are drawn.

The time has come to say your good-nights.
Hush, cuddly ones-turn out the lights.

Now my stuffed animals are as safe as can be.
Settled and quiet, they watch over me.

Good night. Sleep tight.

4. Song: Puttin on My Pajamas - Baby Loves Jazz

5. Book: How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen

This is SUCH a fun book! The kids really love it and the parents always get a kick out of it as well. I really love all the dinosaur books by Jane Yolen.

6. Flannelboard Story: In His Jungle Bed
Read this softly until the last line

Way down deep in his jungle bed
a lion rests his sleepy head
a SNAKE comes by and asks him to roar
(put your head on your hands, like you are sleeping and snore)
 
Way down deep in his jungle bed
a lion rests his sleepy head
a MONKEY comes by and asks him to roar
But the lion just snores a gentle snore
(put your head on your hands, like you are sleeping and snore)

Way down deep in his jungle bed
a lion rests his sleepy head
a PARROT comes by and asks him to roar
But the lion just snores a gentle snore
Then he lifts his head with a great big ROAR!
(ROAR LOUDLY)

 

7. Song: Bouncin on the Bed by Philly Joe Giraffe



8. Flannel Board Rhyme:

5 yellow crescent moons,
How sleepy one did snore!
He went away to bed
and then there were 4.

4 yellow crescent moons.
Shining bright as could be.
One went to find the stars
and then there were 3.

3 yellow crescent moons.
Now what could they do?
"I'm off to play," said the bright eyed one
and then there were 2.

2 yellow crescent moons
Out came the sun.
"I't's much too bright", one complained
and then there was one.

1 yellow crescent moon
Alone so way up high.
Shines and shines for all the earth
Can you see it in the sky?


9. Closing Song (to tune of the Mulberry Bush)

This is the way our hands say goodbye,
With a clap clap-clap,Clap, clap-clap
This is the way our hands say goodbye,
With a clap clap-clap, clap-clap

This is the way our knees say goodbye,
With a tap, tap-tap,Tap tap-tap
This is the way our knees say goodbye,
With a tap tap-tap, tap-tap

This is the way we wave goodbye,
Wave goodbye, wave goodbye,
This is the way we wave goodbye,
Goodbye until next time

10. Give children a star stamp on their hand!

Other books to consider:

The Whole Night Through by David Frampton

This book is SO beautiful. I really love the woodcut illustrations because they provide such a nice contrast of colors for a night time setting. There are a lot of big words in this book that will be unfamiliar to toddlers but there's absolutely nothing wrong with that! It's never too early to introduce obscure animals to children!

Night Lights by Susan Gal

This is a truly beautifully illustrated book about a child's nighttime routine through the many lights that she sees. There are street lights, night lights, star lights and good nights. This would be a great addition to any toddler storytime about bed time! "Night Lights” was included in School Library Journal’s Best Books of 2009 list! This book has also received a tramendous review from Kirkus Reviews and she also received a star, which is "assigned to books of unusual merit." Here is what they had to say:

“For this family of three – mother, daughter, and pup – the everyday events of an evening take on special meaning in this debut author/illustrator’s capable hands. A single word or two describing the lights that brighten the night determine each page’s action. A streetlight illuminates the darkened cityscape as mother and child cycle home; firelight makes for a cozy backyard BBQ; a flashlight produces a shadow-puppet play. Gal cleverly weaves these intimate moments together to create a seamless bedtime story. The illustrations, done with a heavy oil crayon or chalk pastel-type texture in combination with cut and pasted photographic elements, are infused with an inviting warmth. Reminiscent of Ezra Jack Keats, for the atmospheric collage work, and Margaret Bloy Graham, with a pooch that could double for Harry (whose story the girl reads in bed with her dog), the images manage to be both fresh and familiar. The many warm renderings of light – the glow from a reading light, the comfort of the night-light and the peacefulness of the moonlight – reveal the loveliness of a night spent with an affectionate family”. -- Kirkus Reveiws

Peekaboo Bedtime by Rachel Isadora

 

This is also an adorable book which goes through all the things a child sees in a regular day, from grandparents to daddy to the moon to a rubber ducky at bathtime! The ending is "Peekaboo, I see you!"

Time for bed, Fred! by Yasmeen Ismail

I really love this book not only because of the fun story, but also because of the beautiful water color illustrations! This is also a story children can relate to if they happen to have a dog. The dog Fred is shown doing all sorts of activities other than going to bed, such as jumping in a puddle or hiding in some flowers. The texts repeats, "that's not your bed, fred!" Then fred is shown taking a bath and zipping down the stairs without being dried (which, if you have a dog, is something we've all dealt with!) Then Fred is shown hiding again and the texts reads "Fred? .... Fred?..... Fred? it's very late now, Fred. Time for bed." Then the dog is read one story and afterwards he jumps onto the reader's bed, "Oh Fred, that's MY bed!" Let's find your bed, Fred..."  and at last, Fred is shown sleeping in his dog bed.

Nap in a Lap by Sarah Wilson

 

This is a cute and short book featuring baby animals taking their naps in very interesting places. Piglets snooze in haystacks. Ladbugs doze on rosebuds.But what's the best place for a tired little girl and her puppy to nap? Just like the other babies, they find the perfect spot, which so happens to be a nap in a lap!

Additional Fingerplays and Rhymes:

Going to Bed
This little child is going to bed (point to self)
Down on the pillow he lays his head (rest head on hands)
He wraps himself in covers tight (wrap hands across body)
And this is the way he sleeps all night (close eyes, nod head)
Morning comes, he opens his eyes (raise head, eyes open wide)
Off with a toss the covers fly (fling arms wide)
Soon he is up and dressed and awake (jump up)
Ready for fun and play all day (clap hands and turn in a circle)
Credit: Best Kids Book Site // Used: “Day and Night” Storytime & “Starry Night Stories”

Five White and Fluffy Sheep
Five white and fluffy sheep (hold up five fingers)
In the pasture fast asleep (hands under head, lean over)
Their wool kept them cozy all night long (hug yourself)
Snore! Snore! (make snore sounds)
The farmer slipped away with one (hold up one finger)
And sheared the wool till he was done (clap)
Then there were 4 white fluffy sheep (hold up four fingers)
Baa! Baa! (baa!)

Big Yellow Moon
Big yellow moon shines so bright, (circle overhead)
Glides across the starry night (arms left to right)
Looks down at me (hand shades eyes)
Asleep in bed, (head on hands)
Whispers, “Good night sleepyhead.” (shh)
Big yellow moon, your turn is done (move arms down)
Here comes Mr. Morning Sun (circle overhead)
I wake up. (arms stretch out)
You go to bed. (head on hands)
“Sleep well, Moon, you sleepyhead.” (shh)

Five Little Bats
Five little bats flew out one night
(Hold up five fingers)
To have some fun in the bright moonlight.
(Move your hand in a circle)
The first one said, “You can’t catch me!”
(Move your thumb away to the side)
The second one said, “Look out for the tree!”
(Shake your first finger in warning)
The third one said, “I love to swoop,”
(Make your middle finger do a graceful dive)
The fourth one did a loop-the-loop.
(Move your ring finger in a circle)
The fifth one said, “Let’s catch some gnats!”
(Wiggle your little finger)
Isn’t it fun being five little bats!
(Wiggle all five fingers)

Bzzzzzz! A Busy Bee and Bugs Storytime for 2s and 3s!

This storytime focuses on bees and bugs! This is a nice theme for storytime for this age because children love to make bug noises! At the beginning of this storytime, I greeted the children at the door with a bee puppet and after the children got their name tags on, I went around saying hi to each child. This helps me get to know the child and allows them to get to know me. After a while, they begin to feel more comfortable in storytime because of this!

1. Intro Song: Hands are for Clapping by Jim Gill on the CD Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song and Other Contagious Tunes

1. Regular Opening Song (to tune of the Mulberry Bush)

This is the way our hands say hello,
With a clap, clap-clap, Clap, clap-clap
This the way our hands say hello,
With a clap, clap-clap, clap-clap

This is the way our knees say hello,
With a tap tap-tap,
Tap tap-tap
This is the way our knees say hello,
With a tap tap-tap, tap-tap

This is the way we wave hello,
Wave hello, wave hello
This is the way we wave hello,
So early in the morning

2. Book: In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming

3. Flannelboard: Bugs in the Yard

The Bugs in the Garden
(to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus")

The ladybugs on the plants have lots of spots
Lots of spots, lots of spots.
The ladybugs on the plants have lots of spots
Out in the yard.

The fireflies at night go blink, blink, blink
link, blink, blink, blink, blink, blink.
The fireflies at night go blink, blink, blink
Out in the garden.

The bees in the flowers go buzz, buzz, buzz
Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz.
The bees in the flowers go buzz, buzz, buzz
Out in the garden

The crickets in the fields go chirp, chirp, chirp
chirp, chirp, chirp.
The crickets in the fields go chirp, chirp, chirp
Out in the yard.

The ants in the grass go march, march, march
March, march, march, march, march, march.
The ants in the grass go march, march, march
Out in the yard

The caterpillars on the leaves go munch, munch, munch
Munch, munch, munch, munch, munch, munch
The caterpillars on the leaves go munch, munch, munch
Out in the yard.

The spiders in the bush, they spin their webs
spin their webs, spin their webs.
The spiders in the bush, they spin their webs
Out in the yard.

The butterflies in the sky go flit, flit, flit
Flit, flit, flit, flit, flit, flit.
The butterflies in the sky go flit, flit, flit
Out in the yard.

The worms in the ground, wiggle and squirm
Wiggle and squirm, wiggle and squirm.
The worms in the gruond, wiggle and squirm
Out in the yard.


4. Song: Bugs Bugs Bugs on the CD Go, Go Animals! by the Monkeydoos. This song is fun and is about how itchy bugs are. A snippet of the lyrics: Now I'm scratching my head, my nose, and my ears, and now I'm scratching my legs, ankles and toes, etc.


5. Book: Big Bugs! Giant Creepy Crawly Pop-Ups written by Keith Faulkner, Illustrated by Stephen Holmes, paper engineering by Jonathan Lambert

Kids were so wound up after hearing the Bugs Bugs Bugs song but the beautiful pop-ups in this book got their attention back, thankfully! Suddenly the room was quiet again as the children looked at the bugs in amazement. I love this book too because it has facts you can read about each bug so it also has a non-fiction component which is great!!

6. Flannelboard Story: Buzz Said the Bee by Wendy Cheyette Lewison

This is actually a level 1 reader but has been translated into a really cute flannelboard story! The kids love acting out the animal sounds.

Once there was a bee who sat on a DUCK.
"Quack," said the duck.
"There's a bee on me."
And the duck said, "Scat," but the bee just sat.
So the duck quacked again and sat on a HEN.

"CLUCK," said the hen.
"There's a duck on me."
And then hen said, "Scat," but the duck just sat.
So the hen danced a jig and sat on a PIG.

"Oink," said the pig.
"There's a hen on me."
And the pig said, "Scat," but then the hen just sat.
So the pig took a bow and sat on a COW.

"Moo," said the cow.
"There's a pig on me."
And the cow said, "Scat," but the pig just sat.
The cow began to weep and sat on a SHEEP who was fast asleep.

So the cow said, "MOO,"
And the pig said, "OINK,"
And the hen said, "CLUCK,"
And the duck said, "QUACK,"
Then the bee said, "BUZZZZ-Z-Z-Z-Z!"
And that's all there was.

 

7. Closing Song (to tune of the Mulberry Bush)

This is the way our hands say goodbye,
With a clap clap-clap,Clap, clap-clap
This is the way our hands say goodbye,
With a clap clap-clap, clap-clap

This is the way our knees say goodbye,
With a tap, tap-tap,Tap tap-tap
This is the way our knees say goodbye,
With a tap tap-tap, tap-tap

This is the way we wave goodbye,
Wave goodbye, wave goodbye,
This is the way we wave goodbye,
Goodbye until next time

8. Give a bug stamp at the end! We had a ladybug and a bee one.

Other books to consider:

Snug As a Bug by Michael Elsohn Ross, Illustrated by Sylvia Long

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz, Went Bumblebee by Colin West

Bumblebee, Bumblebee, Do You Know Me? A Garden Guessing Game by Anne Rockwell

 

Other bug flannelboard stories:

 

 

Five Little Bees (author unknown)

One little bee blew and flew.
He met a friend, and that made two.
Two little bees, busy as could be—
Along came another and that made three.
Three little bees, wanted one more,
Found one soon and that made four.
Four little bees, going to the hive.
Spied their little brother, and that made five.
Five little bees working every hour—
Buzz away, bees, and find another flower.

Brilliant Butterflies by Susan M. Paprocki 

The first to come to the garden bed
Was a lovely butterfly of brilliant red.

Then in comes another and that makes two,
Fly right in, my friend of blue.

"The garden is fine, the best I’ve seen,"
Said the butterfly of springtime green.

Dressed so fine in a butterfly gown,
Flew in another, the color of brown.

The garden needs a sunshiny fellow,
So fly right in if your wings are yellow.

I love the colors, they’re a glorious sight,
But one thing for sure, we need some white.

And where is its opposite? Come join the pack,
For what a fine gift is the color black.

This is perfect I really do think,
If only you’d join, butterfly of pink.

Little friend of purple, take a place too,
This garden is a perfect spot for a color like you.

Orange, orange, you’ve waited so long.
Fly right in, where you belong.

Butterflies, butterflies, you’re such a sight.
Flying together in springtime delight.