It's All Over

Time to take a break from de-decorating the house and return to the doldrums of winter - although I saw a teeny ray of hope in my one-inch daffodils. That always cheers me up!

It was fun to see so many dads at the various storytimes last week. I guess they had time off and got to come with the kids to see what it's all about.

I think I got prophetic at Preschool Storytime. On Tuesday I arrived at the library to find a different batch of stories than I was expecting, so I had to come up with a quick Plan B for a theme. I decided on "Snow" since there were a few of the books in my box and the shelves had a few others that I wanted. I even commented to the kids that it was supposed to rain that afternoon, but it sure was cold and it sure seemed like it would snow instead! Of course on Wednesday we got to talk about the snowmen we made and the snowball fights we had. So much fun! The books I read on Tuesday and Wednesday had a couple of variations since after I got home I pulled some favorites out of my collection.

Snowballs, by Lois Ehlert
The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats
Geraldine's Big Snow, by Keller
The Biggest, Best Snowman, by Margery Cuyler
Under My Hood I Have a Hat, by Kuskin

We sang "I'm a Little Snowman" and on Wednesday we built a felt snowman on the flannelboard. That activity is always a huge hit with the kids. I ask them to tell me how to make the snowman and deliberately misunderstand them. This way they have to think hard to choose exactly the right words to make me understand what they mean. It's fun to watch their faces as they try and try to tell me how to stack the big, medium and small snowballs, or exactly where to put the carrot nose.

I told the traditional story of "The Mitten" with storyprops.

Toddler Time

Don't forget we start a new Toddler Time at 9:30 on Tuesdays this week.

Our stories this week were:

Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise
Dear Zoo, by Rod Campbell. This book is a good example of how repetitive lines draw a toddler in. They get such satisfaction in saying "I sent him back!" on each page. Big grins every time.

We also did:

Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands

Clap, clap, clap your hands as slowly as you can.
Clap, clap, clap your hands as quickly as you can.

Shake, shake, shake your hands...
Roll, roll, roll your hands...
Pound, pound, pound your fists...
Rub, rub, rub your hands...
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle your fingers...

This rhyme teaches so much in a little fingerplay. First is the concept of "slowly" and "quickly." Whenever you can tie vocabulary to a physical motion, it cements the learning so much faster. Then there's shake, roll, pound, rub, wiggle - words we also tie to hand motions.

Baby Time

Well, we tried to stay warm in there with a couple of space heaters. The whole building had been without heat for two days and it was cold in there. We kept our coats on and had a good time anyway.

This Week at the Library

Baby Time

Our little babies are growing so fast! We get to watch each other's little ones finally sit up, start tracking the bubbles floating past, crawl, stand, until finally they graduate to Toddler Time. Moms share tips and trials along the way, even discover they're relatives! (Yes, that happened.) I see so many pregnant moms at Toddler Time, I hope you'll give Baby Time a try!

Toddler Time

We learned a couple of new rhymes today. (Actually, I just brought them back after a hiatus.)

Pretend

Now I'll be a lamppost, standing straight and tall.
Now I'll be a jellyfish. I can't stand up at all.
Now I'll be a kangaroo, hopping on the ground.
Now I'll be a spinning top, spinning round and round.
Now I'll be a monkey, climbing up a string.
Now I'll be just me. I can be anything!

I'm a Little Snowman
(Sung to "I'm a Little Teapot")

I'm a little snowman, short and fat.
Here is my broomstick.
Here is my hat.
When the sun comes out I melt away.
Down, down, down, down.
Whoops! I'm a puddle.

We read Machines at Work, by Byron Barton, and Cat's Colors, by Jane Cabrera.

Preschool Storytime

We got to learn the difference between a crocodile and an alligator this week. The simplest difference is in their teeth. An alligator has all of his lower teeth on the inside, while a crocodile has his lower teeth showing on the outside of his jaw, especially two big teeth like lower fangs.

We read:

Clarabella's Teeth, by An Vrombaut. Poor Clarabella takes ALL DAY to brush all those teeth and misses out on all the fun. Then her friends surprise her with a huge toothbrush.

There's an Alligator Under My Bed, by Mercer Mayer. This is like a sequel to There's a Nightmare in My Closet. The little boy decides to take care of that alligator once and for all.

Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile, by Won-Ldy Paye (no that's not a typo). So funny when Mrs. Chicken proves to the crocodile that she's her sister!

The flannelboard story was "The Monkey and the Crocodile" where the monkey is the smart one, and the crocodile is foolish. Then we sang "Five Little Monkeys Swinging in a Tree" and the monkeys are the foolish ones. (Of course I can't use the "s" word....shhhh....you know - stupid)

The song goes like this:

Five Little Monkeys Swinging in a Tree

Five little monkeys swinging in a tree
Teasing Mr. Crocodile
"You can't catch me. No you can't catch me."
Along comes Mr. Crocodile as quiet as can be
And SNAPS that monkey right out of that tree.