Storytime Sunday: Dream Big Storytime

Our library Summer Reading Theme is Dream Big! so many of our summer storytimes are themed about night and bedtime. So far, this toddler time bedtime storytime plan has been my favorite!

Opening Song (we use Finger Poppin' by Georgiana Stewart)

Early Literacy Skill: Sing & Rhyme (typically we do crafts and stations, but for this plan, I didn't use any activity stations or crafts and concentrated on lots of action rhymes and songs)

Read: Time to Say Goodnight by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Jane Chapman-this is a sweet bedtime book with great illustrations. I also liked that it had some animal noises we could make!

Song: These Are My Glasses by Laurie Berkner (I repeat this song every week and the kids love it! We took the month of May off from storytime and the first week back, when I mentioned we would sing this song, there was this murmor of excitement that went through the room from the kids and parents-it was hilarious!!)

These Are My Glasses (make circle glasses around eyes with hands)

And Here Is My Book (hold up hands like a book in front of you)

I Put On My Glasses (put on glasses)

And I Open Up My Book (open hands like a book)

And I Read, Read, Read,

And I Look, Look, Look,

Then I Take Off My Glasses (pretend to remove glasses)

And Whoops...Close Up My Book (shut hands to close up book)

Rhyme: Five in the Bed-traditional rhyme-I borrowed Katie's adaptation of this one and counted down five instead of ten.



There were five in the bed (Hold up five fingers)
And the little one said, “Roll over, roll over!” (Make rolling motion)
So they are rolled over and one fell out. (Hold up one finger & surprised face)
// Count down until
There was one in the bed (Hold up one finger)
And the little one said, “I’ve got it all to myself!” (Spread out arms)

Read: The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson, illustrated by Beth Krommes This book is a great companion to Goodnight Moon, which we had read the week before. Plus, any time I can add an award winner into storytime, I'm happy!

Rhyme: Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear-traditional-I used this version from Lovettsville Library

Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around; (turn around)
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground. (touch the ground)
Teddy bear, teddy bear, show your shoe; (hold out foot)
Teddy bear, teddy bear, I love you. (hug yourself)
Teddy bear, teddy bear, climb upstairs; (pretend to climb stairs)
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say your prayers. (fold hands in prayer)*
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn out the light; (switch out light)
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say, "Good night." (tuck hands to face in sleeping position)

*this line is optional. Can be substituted with "jump in the air" or left out completely.

Song: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star-traditional

Read: Goodnight Me by Andrew Daddo, illustrated by Emma Quay-how can you resist this cute monkey??

Song: The Freeze by Greg and Steve-I love this song! And to make it fit with our theme, I've made "daytime" and "nighttime" stick puppets (one with a sun, and one with a moon). When it's daytime and the sun is up, we can dance and play, but when the moon comes out and it's night, we have to "rest" and freeze.

Parachute Activity: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star with the parachute!! (I use the version on the For the Kids CD) I put paper stars in the parachute for the kids to toss around and this is always a huge hit!

Song: If You're Happy And You Know It-traditional

Read: From Head to Toe by Eric Carle-my every storytime closing book!

Closing Song: Skinamarink

-Note-I repeat all songs and rhymes (except for The Freeze) twice, because repetition is great for toddlers!!