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.



Dinosaur Storytime for 0-3 age group -- Dig Into Reading!

Theme: Dinosaurs -- Dig Into Reading! 

Introduction Song: Open Shut Them
Open, shut them,
Open, shut them
Give a little clap, clap, clap
Open, shut them, open, shut them
Lay them in your lap, lap, lap
Creepy crawly, creepy crawly,
Right up to your chin, chin, chin
Open up your little mouth
But do not let them in, in in


(Same song used in all of my storytimes. Repetition is good for young children!) 

Book #1 - Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones

This is such a neat book because it introduces children to dinosaurs and paleontologists in a simple way that makes it easy for children to understand. I especially love the part where it explains how paleontologists put together the bones to see what the real dinosaur once looked like. My favorite part is the surprise ending when it shows all the bones put together! The book is meant for preschool aged children but it is short enough that the toddlers can sit still and listen to it without a problem. 

Dinosaur Fingerplay: Five Dinosaurs
(Sung to the tune of “Five Little Ducks Went Out to Play”)

Five dinosaurs went out to play
(hold up five fingers)
Over the hills and far away
(move hand up and down)
Mama dinosaur said “roar, roar, roar”
(Roar!)
But only four came running to the door
(make a sad face and hold up four fingers)
(Continue until no dinosaurs are left on the board. Then sing…)
No dinosaurs went out to play…
ALL the dinosaurs came running to the door!

Source: The Storytime Lady

Action Song: Dinosaur Stomp

Do the dinosaur, STOMP, STOMP! 

Do the dinosaur, CHOMP, CHOMP!
Do the dinosaur, ROAAAAAAAR

heh, I actually thought the song was "do the dinosaur, jump, jump" so I had the children jump. OOPS! "Chomp, Chomp" are the actual lyrics and you're supposed to move your arms up and down in a chopping motion like shown in the video.

This is me and the children all doing the Dinosaur Stomp! They really had a blast doing it!

Book # 2: Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs by Byron Barton

The Westmont Public Library has the big book version of this story and it's a really awesome one that introduces children about how ancient dinosaurs really are. The illustrations are very bright and it describes the many different characteristics dinosaurs have. For example, Some dinosaurs are described as fierce, scared, hungry, tired and sleepy. When I read about the sleepy dinosaurs, I of course, read it in a sleepy sounding voice which grabs the attention of the young children. This story also introduces children to the different names of dinosaurs like diplodocus, ankylosaurus, tyrannosaurus rex, and so on. I definitely recommend this book for any Dinsoaur themed storytime. 

Fingerplay: Five Enormous Dinosaurs

Five enormous dinosaurs, letting out a roar, 

(Cup hands to your mouth and let out a ROAR!)

Until one went away, and then there were four.

Four enormous dinosaurs, munching on a tree, 

(Pretend to be munching on a tree)

Until one went away, and then there were three.

Three enormous dinosaurs were taken to the zoo, 

(Pretend to run!)

Until one got away, then there were two.

Two enormous dinosaurs having lots of fun, 

(Push both hands above your head)

Until a volcano blew right up, then there was one.

One enormous dinosaur, he must have weighed a ton 

(Extend arms out to show how BIG he was)

Until the lakes dried up, and then there were none!

Song:Jumping and Counting by Jim Gill

This song is not dinosaur related by the patrons grew to really LOVE this song. The children would ask for this song if I didn't play it so I began playing it at every storytime. It's a really awesome song that is fun and teaches children essential counting skills. For the 0-3 age group, this is an excellent way to introduce math to them! 

You may here the song here: https://soundcloud.com/childrens-music-jim-gill/jumping-and-counting

Book #3 Dinosaur Vs. Library

This book is pretty neat. The children had a lot of fun acting out the "ROAR" parts of the story and it seemed to help them pay attention. The story also talks about using an "inside roar" which helps teach children manners. I normally would be the one reading the story but my supervisor, Lynn, lead storytime on Thursdays which is when this picture was taken. I had lead a dinosaur storytime the day prior. 

Song: Tyrannosaurus Rex

(Sung to: "Mary Had a Little Lamb")

Dinosaurs walked on this earth,

On this earth, on this earth.

Dinosaurs walked on this earth,

A long, long time ago. 

This song was short but I actually ended up singing it twice. I sung it at a regular volume at first, then I asked the audience to join in and sing it in a loud voice. 

Song with shakers: Dinosaur Song

What a great story this is with awesome dinosaur sounds! This was a really perfect ending. 

Me on the right with my Supervisor, Lynn, the Youth Services Librarian at the Westmont Public Library. The children really love playing with the shakers! 

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.

The children all waving goodbye!

Farms and Gardens Storytime for Early Talkers (Ages 0-3)

Theme: Farms and Gardens! 


Introduction Song: Open Shut Them
Open, shut them,
Open, shut them
Give a little clap, clap, clap
Open, shut them, open, shut them
Lay them in your lap, lap, lap
Creepy crawly, creepy crawly,
Right up to your chin, chin, chin
Open up your little mouth
But do not let them in, in in


(Same song used in all of my storytimes. Repetition is good for young children!) 

Book #1 - Farmer McFee by Pam Miller

We have the Big Book version of this story at the library where I am doing my internship at. I really love this story because it shows that women can be farmers too and they can get dirty in overalls just like men. I like a story that doesn't follow stereotypical gender roles. The book reads "Could it be... Farmer Mcfee? and the picture shows the back of someone. You can't tell whether the person is male or female from behind and then when you see the face, it's a woman and the story reads "No! That's Grandma Mcfee!"  then it goes through other people in the family and eventually it gets to Farmer Mcfee. 

Action Rhyme: African Planting Chant

Down to the earth and up to the sky. 

(repeat three times, bending to touch ground and stretching high)

Our shovels are sharp. 

(repeat three times, pretending to dig with a shovel)

We sow our seeds, we sow our seeds, we sow our seeds. 

(reach into left hand with right, and scatter seeds)

Down to the earth and up to the sky, 

down to the earth and up to the sky, 

down to the earth and up to the sky

Source: King County Library

Book # 2 
Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert

This is the perfect book to read during the springtime! I really love the colorful illustrations of all the plants and it's also perfect for teaching children about colors and gardening. 

The Farmer Plants the Seeds (Sung to the tune of Farmer in the Dell)


The farmer plants the seeds. 
(put seeds in the ground)
The farmer plants the seeds.

High ho the derry oh,

The farmer plants the seeds.

The sun comes out to shine. 
(make big circle with arms)

The sun comes out to shine.
Hi ho the derry oh,
The sun comes out to shine.

The rain begins to fall. 
(hands flutter to the ground) 
The rain begins to fall.
Hi ho the derry oh,
The rain begins to fall.

The seeds begin to grow.
(children begin to rise)
The seeds begin to grow.

Hi ho the derry oh,

The seeds begin to grow.

The farmer digs them up.
 (pretend to use a shovel)

The farmer digs them up.
Hi ho the derry oh,
The farmer digs them up.

Now we'll have some to eat.

(pretend to eat)

Now we'll have some to eat.

Hi ho the derry oh,Now we'll have some to eat.

Book #3 Farmyard Beat by Lindsey Craig and Marc Brown

This is an excellent book for young children because of the way the book reads like a song with repetition! 

Song: Goofy Old Macdonald by Carole Peterson

This is a goofy version of the regular Old Mcdonald that everyone knows. With this song, Carole Peterson makes the wrong animal noises and all the kids shout out "No! That's not right!!" and then the children sing the correct animal sound. I played this for the children at storytime and kids were laughing and singing. It was a nice filler song because it let children get out some giggles in between a few books.  

Book: 5 Little Ducks by Penny Ives

This is a great book for any duck or farm storytime and it helps children practice their counting

Song with shakers: Ducks like Rain

This song is one of my favorites! I get it stuck in my head often and in the song, Carole Peterson sings out "Quack, quack quack quack!" over and over again and the kids really enjoy singing it out. 

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.

Valentines Day Themed Storytime for Early Talkers (Ages 0-3)

Theme: Valentines Day
Introduction Song: Open Shut Them

Open, shut them

Open, shut them

Give a little clap, clap, clap

Open, shut them, open, shut them

Lay them in your lap, lap, lap

Creepy crawly, creepy crawly,

Right up to your chin, chin, chin

Open up your little mouth

But do not let them in, in in

Little Heart

I have a little heart, (place hand over heart)

And it goes thump, thump, thump (pat chest three times)

It keeps right on beating,

When I jump, jump, jump (jump three times)

I get a special feeling, when I look at you. (point to child)

It makes me want to give you a hug or two. (hug yourself)

Book #1 Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck!

Lovebird Fingerpuppets

Two lit­tle love­birds sit­ting on a hill

One named Jack, one named Jill

Fly away Jack, fly away Jill

Come back Jack, come back Jill.

*kiss* muah!

Two little lovebirds sitting on a cloud

One named Soft, one named Loud

Fly away Soft

Fly away Loud

Come back Soft, come back Loud 

*kiss* muah!

I personally sewed these. They could have looked a little more bird-like but I think they turned out well :) The rhyme was short but with the hand motions, it made the children pay attention and was a nice transition to the next book.

Idea taken from the blog, Sunflower Storytime 

Book #2 All the Things I love About You by LeUyen Pham

5 Kisses Flannel Board Poem

For this one, I laminated pictures of family member's faces (Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Grandpa, a dog, and a cat just for good measure) and I laminated 5 images of lips. It will work best with the family pictures that are just faces, rather than the ones with full bodies since the kisses will have to be big enough to be seen from the back of  the room. Each time I "kiss" someone, I'll add the laminated image of lips to the person and I will make a kiss sound! One thing I wish I did differently is have more of a multicultural family.

I have five kisses that I want to give away.

Who should I kiss this Valentine’s Day?

I’ll kiss Mommy!

*kiss* muah!

I have four kisses that I want to give away.

Who should I kiss this Valentine’s Day?

I’ll kiss Daddy!

*kiss* muah!

I have 3 kisses that I want to give away.

Who should I kiss this Valentine’s Day?

I’ll kiss Grandma!

*kiss* muah!

I have 2 kisses that I want to give away.

Who should I kiss this Valentine’s Day?

I’ll kiss Grandpa!

*kiss* muah!

I have 1 kiss that I want to give away.

Who should I kiss this Valentine’s Day?

I’ll kiss my doggy!

*kiss* muah!

Song: Skidamarink a Dinka Dink

Skidamarink a dinka dink. (Put right elbow in  left hand and wiggle  fingers)

Skidamarink a doo. (Put left elbow in right hand and wiggle fingers)

I love you. (Point to eyes, hug yourself, and point to others)

Skidamarink a dinka dink. (Repeat actions)

Skidamarink a doo.

I love you.

I love you in the morning. (Make a big circle over head  like the sun)

And in the afternoon. (Hold arms in circle out in front of you)

I love you in the evening. (Move arms in circle down)

And underneath the moon. (Release arms and make another big circle over head)

Skidamarink a dinka dink.

Skidamarink a doo.

I love you.

I chose the next book and poem because I really did not want to leave out Daddies! They are just as important as Mommies!

Daddy Loves Me
(To the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb)

Daddy loves me

Yes he does.

Yes he does.

Yes he does.

Daddy loves me

Yes he does.

He loves me every day.

He gives me hugs and kisses,

kisses, kisses.

He gives me hugs and kisses.

To tell me he loves me.

I love my daddy,

daddy, daddy.

I love my daddy and he loves me too.

 Book #3  I Love My Dad by Anna Walker

Song: It's a Very Simple Song

Songs to use with Shakers:

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.