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Writer's picturedeborahfagnan

November Toddler Storytime: Thanksgiving

Updated: Dec 1, 2018


Introduction: This Storytime is developed specially for children two and three years old and their caregivers. Enjoy 45minutes of books, songs, rhymes, fingerplays, socialization and a craft with other young children and their caregivers. Each session of toddler storytime consists of a variety of activities that incorporate reading, writing, singing, talking and playing.



Date: Every Wednesday

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Age Range: 2 to 3 years old

Skills Supported: Vocabulary, motor skills, visual tracking skills, and socialization.

Frequency: Weekly

Attendance: 20 children and their parent/caregiver

Staff or Volunteer Needed: 1 staff member, 2 volunteer's

Format: Registration is required. No drop-in patrons are refused.

Budget: 0

Supplies:

  • Do-A Dot Art paint (brown, orange and red)

  • White Glue

  • Goggly Eyes

  • Glue Stick

  • Template of Turkey Craft

  • White Paper Plates

Books shared: (from storytime)

  • 1, 2, 3, Thanksgiving! by W. Nikola-Lisa

  • Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson

Other Books to Display on Book Cart at Storytime:

  • Gobble Gobble by Cathryn Falwell

  • Thankful by Eileen Spinelli

  • Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland

  • Thanksgiving is Here by Diane Goode

  • The Story of Thanksgiving by Nancy J. Skarmeas

  • What is Thanksgiving by Elaine Lanbdau

Storytime Prep:


 

1. Storytime Introduction:

Welcome to Toddler Storytime. My name is Ms. Debbie. I am so glad to see you today. Our storytime is designed to be participated by everyone. We will share books, rhymes, and songs with your children. We encourage everyone to participate, but no worries if this doesn't happen. Sometimes when a child sees you participate, they might join in, but if your child is not in the mood, that is okay too. Our storytime can tend to be a little chaotic, but that is okay too. If your child becomes disruptive, please take them outside the program room and then join us again when your child has settled down. This is normal, it is part of the process. So let's start with our opening song.


2. Opening Song:

How Many Friends are Here Today

Lyrics:

How many friends are here today?

How many friends are here today

Let's count it out!Let's clap it out!

Let's dance it out!There are ______ friends on their feet!

Now it's time to take your seat!

(Credit: No Time For Flash Cards, 2016, January 30)


3. Early Literacy Aside: Explain:

Today our literacy tip has to do with background knowledge. Background knowledge is information that children are taught and gain through experience. Today, I will show you how you can help your child develop this skill through reading, writing, singing, talking and playing.(Ghoting & Martin-Diaz, 2013, p. 229).


4. Fingerplay:

Two Little Turkeys

Lyrics: Two little turkeys sitting on a hill One named Jack, the other named Jill Run away Jack, run away Jill Come back Jack, come back Jill (Credit: Storytime Kate, 2015)

5. Book:









Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson

(Credit: Goodreads, n.d.)





6. Shakers Shaker Song:

Sung to the tune of “London Bridge"

Lyrics:

Shake your shakers, shake, shake, shake,

Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

Shake your shakers, shake, shake, shake,

Shake your shakers!


Other Verses:

Shake your shakers high, high, high,

Shake your shakers  low, low, low,

Shake your shakers  fast, fast, fast,

Shake your shakers  slow, slow, slow

(Credit: Mulvenna, L. (2013, January 17)


7. Early Literacy: Example

Researchers have found that it is easier for children with strong background knowledge to understand what they read when they are older. It starts now! There are many ways to can develop your children's background knowledge as you sing, talk, read, write, and play with your child (Ghoting & Martin-Diaz, 2013, p. 229).


8. Puppet Show:

  • Based on the book Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

  • I will read the book, while 1 staff member, 2 volunteer's create the puppet show.

  • Print out the Dear Zoo Puppets from the Parent/caregiver Resource pathfinder page.


9. Book:



1, 2, 3, Thanksgiving! by W. Nikola-Lisa

(Credit: Goodreads, n.d.)











10. Song:

Animals at the Zoo

(Tune: Wheels on the Bus)

Lyrics:

The lions at the zoo go roar, roar, roar,

Roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar,

The lions at the zoo go roar, roar, roar,

All day long!

Other verses:

The snakes at the zoo go hiss, hiss, hiss,

The hyenas at the zoo go ha, ha, ha,

The monkeys at the zoo go oooh, oooh, oooh


(Credit: Cleland, 2015, July 27)


11. Early Literacy Aside: Empower

As you talk and play with your children this coming week, see if you can think of ways to expand their background knowledge. Background knowledge begins at birth. By talking about the world, or in this case about Thanksgiving, will help them develop background knowledge that they will build on, to learn more about Thanksgiving.


12. Action Song:

If You're Friendly and You Know It

Lyrics:

If You're friendly and you know it, clap your hands.

If your friendly and you know it, clap your hands.

If your friendly and you know it, and you really want to show it,

If your friendly and you know it, clap your hands!

Other verses:

stomp your feet,

pat your head,

stand up-turn around-sit down....


(Credit: Childhood)


13. Closing Song:

Goodbye Bubbles

(Librarian/staff associate will use bubble machine while the parents/caregiver and children sing the song.



Goodbye Bubbles


Goodbye Bubbles

Time to Go

Time to GoI will help you

I will help you

With a blow

With a blow

(Credit: L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, 2014, September 28).


14. Storytime Activity:














With help from Parents/caregivers, children will:

(Credit: Fagnan, 2018)


15. Takeaway: Parents/caregivers are given the Early Literacy Newsletter for Toddlers. (copy can be found on the Parent/caregiver Resource pathfinder page.


 

References:


Cleland, A. (2015, July 27). Zoo Toddler Storytime [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://yogibrarian.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/zoo-toddler-storytime/


Fagnan, D. (2018). Turkey craft. [Digital Image]

Ghoting, S.N., & Martin-Diaz, P. (2013). Storytimes for everyone!. Chicago, IL: ALA


Goodreads. (n.d.) Bear Says Thanks. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13544434-bear-says-thanks


Goodreads. (n.d.). 1,2,3 Thanksgiving!. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2061664.1_2_3_Thanksgiving


Johnson County Library. (2011, February 8). Polar Bears and Penguins [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://www.jocolibrary.org/kids/storytime-blog/polar-bears-and-penguins-storytime


L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library. (2014, September 28). Goodbye bubbles. [Video]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/RXXQqVx0gT0


Mulvenna, L. (2013, January 17). Shake Shake Shake [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://lisaslibraryland.blogspot.com/2013/07/shake-shake-shake.html


No Time For Flash Cards. (2016, January 30). Circle Time Chant. [Video]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/ECHXNMFVumM


Storytime Kate. (2015, November 11). Thanksgiving Storytime [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://storytimekatie.com/2015/11/11/thanksgiving-storytime/

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