Tag Archives: virtual preschool storytime

My last week of Preschool Storytime! I ended up doing quite a few changes at the last minute here–I really do like the Amy Wu books, but the day of storytime I just wasn’t feeling Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon, so I swapped it for an old favorite. (Do make sure you check out Amy Wu though!)

I also filmed a video for Little Blue Truck but that did not appear at all in my storytime. There is a lot of rhyming in that book, which makes it harder to ad lib/not recite word for word (and this was not a week for memorization). Also, the flannel set I so carefully crafted is way too big to fit on my flannel board setup. I was so proud of the work I put into this flannel set–and it ended up not working out at all beyond a YouTube video (though at least I have that).

Even though Little Blue Truck was a wash, I did get to present one of my favorite storytime activities ever–Make A Pig. This is much more entertaining with an audience in front of me, but it was great to return an old favorite, even in the more limiting virtual format.

Next week is another storytime special week–I am very excited to have fun with Molly of Denali and celebrate all things Alaska. If you aren’t familiar with the Molly of Denali show (or app or podcast) check it out–it is so well done.

More Preschool Storytime Content:

• Preschool Storytime Music Playlist
• Preschool Storytime YouTube Playlist

Preschool Storytime Intro Song & Rhyme

Early Literacy Tip: Playing

Go on a letter hunt at home! Pick a letter and find all the items that start with that letter. This will help build your child’s letter knowledge while having fun!

Book: Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Song: Jump Jump by Joanie Leeds

Fingerplay: Shapes Song

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A circle is a shape that is round
A circle is a shape that is round
A circle is round, no corners can be found
A circle is a shape that is round

A triangle has three sides, three sides, three sides
A triangle has three sides, 1, 2, 3
A triangle has three corners, three corners, three corners
A triangle has three corners, 1, 2, 3

I am a square. A lovely square!
I have four sides. They are all the same!
I have four corners, four lovely corners.
I am a square, and square is my name.

Book Retelling: Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle (not used in storytime)

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Action Rhyme: Row, Drive, Fly

Row, row, row your boat (sway)
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream.

Drive, drive, drive your car
So quickly down the street
Merrily, merrily, merrily
Driving can’t be beat!

Fly, fly, fly your plane
Fly your plane so high
Merrily, merrily, merrily
Way up in the sky!

Chug, chug, chug the train
Goes quickly down the track
Merrily, merrily, merrily
Hear it click click clack!

Flannel: Make A Pig

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Closing Song: Elmo Slide by Sesame Street

Gosh I’m having fun with preschoolers! The hardest part has been narrowing down my content for these three weeks. Everything is so up in the air with virtual vs. in person programming, and I’m not typically on the preschool rotation (never was in person and only sparingly virtually)…so sometimes these feel like I’m trying to cram in everything I can because I never know which storytime will be my last with a particular age range.

With that in mind, when I’m back to toddler storytime in February, I am going to be repeating more content. There has been so repetition here month-to-month, especially if you go through all of the virtual storytime plans I’ve shared, but I’m going to let that be the norm a little more often once I get through the last of my dwindling stack of flannels and magnet sets that I can’t wait to make into videos. I’ve got almost a year’s worth of content on my library’s YouTube page now…though I do really like making these videos, so maybe I’ll continue on my own time through Book Cart Queens? Not sure yet.

More Preschool Storytime Content:

• Preschool Storytime Music Playlist
• Preschool Storytime YouTube Playlist

Preschool Storytime Intro Song & Rhyme

Early Literacy Tip: Reading

Children learn new words best in context. Rather than teaching new words in isolation, discuss words as they come up in stories or conversation.

Book: Don’t Feed the Coos! by Jonathan Stutzman

Song: Can You by the Wiggles

Fingerplay: Five Little Snowmen

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Five little snowmen went out one day!
Rolling through the snow
They played and played.

Out came the sun,
And it shined so bright,
One little snowmen melted out of sight!

Repeat with 4, 3, 2, 1

Book Retelling: Polar Bear’s Underwear by Tupera Tupera

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Fingerplay: Itsy Bitsy Spider (practicing audiation)

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The Itsy Bitsy Spider went up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain.
And the Itsy Bitsy Spider went up the spout again.

Flannel: Five Little Eggs

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Give it a whack, (clap)
Hear it crack, (hand behind ear)
Drop it in the middle, (pat hands on your lap)
One egg frying on the griddle.

Closing Song: Elmo Slide by Sesame Street

Preschoolers I’m baaaacccccckkkkkkk! I think Noon Year’s Eve and Daniel Tiger Storytime (and the rest of the world) took out any of the new energy I should’ve collected during my few weeks off of weekly storytime, so no book retelling this week. I have so much fun with those, so this makes me sad, but developmentally I’m good with two books for preschool age (I’d much rather have the babies and toddlers moving or exploring books differently).And most importantly, the Elmo Slide is back!

More Preschool Storytime Content:

• Preschool Storytime Music Playlist
• Preschool Storytime YouTube Playlist

Preschool Storytime Intro Song & Rhyme

Early Literacy Tip: Playing

Action songs build physical awareness. Try songs like “The Hokey Pokey,” which name specific body parts.

Book: Every Little Letter by Deborah Underwood

Song: Teddy Bear by Jazzy Ash

Fingerplay: I Built a Little Snowman

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I built a little snowman.
He had a carrot nose!
Along came a bunny,
And what do you suppose?

The hungry little bunny
Looking for his lunch,
Ate the carrot nose…
Nibble, nibble, crunch!

Book: There’s a Superhero In Your Book by Tom Fletcher

Action Rhyme: Galoomp Went the Little Green Frog

Galoomp (hop) went the little green frog one day
Galoomp (hop) went the little green frog
Galoomp (hop) went the little green frog one day
And his eyes went blink blink blink

Repeat with last line added on each time:
Arms went flop, flop, flop
Feet went splash, splash, splash

Flannel: Snowball and Mitten Hide and Seek

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Snowball, snowball
Cold and round!
Behind which mitten,
Can you be found?

Closing Song: Elmo Slide by Sesame Street

My last preschool storytime (outside of specials)–possibly for a long while. If we keep with our proposed schedule for the fall and spring, other than those Saturday programs, I won’t be doing these again. This was such a fun age range. (I think I say that about all of them!)

For me, a benefit of COVID has been being able to really dig into storytimes for different ages. When I started as a youth librarian, I had very little storytime experience, and I essentially served as a substitute. I was tossed head first into Baby Storytime, which I made my own. I substituted for other ages, but I often just repeated the same program because I saw the kids so infrequently. Now that I’ve really been working with each age range, I can see the improvement across all of my storytimes, plus I have more awareness of what is appropriate for each age range.

One thing I didn’t get to explore as much as I wanted these last few weeks is diverse musicians. I am still working on this project, but as happens, especially now, deadlines keep trumping projects like these. I have been chipping away, however. I have a great lists of artists and CDs, and I am working on the listening. More soon!

More Preschool Storytime Content:

• Preschool Storytime Music Playlist
• Preschool Storytime YouTube Playlist

Preschool Storytime Intro Song & Rhyme

Early Literacy Tip: Talking & Reading

When sharing a story together, take a look at the book cover. Have your child predict what the book might be about. Read them the title and see if that changes their thoughts. Take a look at the pictures inside, and see what they think.

Book: King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes

Song: Wiggledy-Woo by Mr. Eric & Mr. Michael
(No video, as we don’t need a permanent record of me dancing to this.)

Fingerplay: Five Little Caterpillars

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Book Retelling: Goodnight Moon

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Action Rhyme: Mix a Pancake

Flannel: We’re Going on a Bug Hunt

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Closing Song: Elmo Slide by Sesame Street

My second to last preschool storytime! I’m trying to keep to the same routine, but I also feel like I want to just squeeze as much content in as I can. Starting in the fall, I’m rotating between baby and toddler programs, so I don’t know when I will see this age range again outside of themed Saturday specials (Pinkalicious, I’m coming for you!).

Generally, I ended up with too many pieces this week that were a touch too long when all put in the same program (longer book, longer song, longer retelling). Virtual attention spans are still short, even with my preschool friends.

More Preschool Storytime Content:

• Preschool Storytime Music Playlist
• Preschool Storytime YouTube Playlist

Preschool Storytime Intro Song & Rhyme

Early Literacy Tip: Reading

Encourage your child to choose books they are excited about, even if you think the story is too long for their attention span or bedtime. Try a “picture walk” if you really think the book is too dense, but consider trying to read it–their patience may surprise you when they are genuinely interested.

Book: Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang

Song: Waiting for the Elevator by Laurie Berkner

Fingerplay: Two Little Friends

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Book Retelling: Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London

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Action Rhyme: Zoom Zoom Zoom

Flannel: Five Fancy Peacocks

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Closing Song: Elmo Slide by Sesame Street

Back to preschool! I’m not sure how many more of these I will get to do as we move back into the library in the next few weeks, so I’m excited to have another opportunity to program for preschoolers. I particularly like being able to retell books with flannels, puppets, and props, which just isn’t something I can do as much with babies, since everything is so action-oriented due to those short attention spans. I even broke out one of my personal flannel sets for the camera this week, since I’m filming from home anyway.

I’ve really enjoyed virtual programming–there is something freeing in not having a group of kids in front of me. I know many don’t feel this way, and it was an adjustment at first, but I am much less self-conscious without kids and adults staring at me. I’m not nervous beforehand the way I am for an in-person storytime. I also enjoy the YouTube videos–it is an interesting way to make what feels like a more permanent footprint with our services. I know we will be virtually programming for a while longer, but I hope we also continue some version of our YouTube presence after this is over. There are always people who can’t make it into the library, but some of those people can watch us on their devices. It’s a different way to reach our community.

More Preschool Storytime Content:

• Preschool Storytime Music Playlist
• Preschool Storytime YouTube Playlist

Preschool Storytime Intro Song & Rhyme

Early Literacy Tip: Have your preschooler tell you a story they are familiar with

Book: Grandma’s Tiny House by JaNay Brown-Wood (Watch Book Talk Video here.)

Song: Banana Banana Meatball by Blazer Fresh

Action Rhyme: Funky Spunky Monkey

Retelling: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

— Discover more Book Retellings. —

Action Rhyme: Dino Ditty

Magnet: Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?

— Discover more Flannel & Magnet Activities. —

Closing Song: Elmo Slide by Sesame Street