Toddlers: Dogs

For more information on how I plan and prepare my toddler storytimes, check out this introduction post. And for a complete list of the repeating extension activities, visit this post. I starred the materials used in the plan; multiple stars indicate use for more than one session.

The Plan

Books

Dog’s Colorful Day by Emma Dodd**
One, Two, That’s My Shoe! by Alison Murray
Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill**

Early Literacy Tip

It takes longer for children who are learning to talk to respond to our questions. Wait 5-12 seconds to give them a chance to respond.

Theme Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “BINGO”**

Finger Puppets: “Five Little Puppies”**

Song: “How Much Is That Doggie?”**
How much is that doggie in the window? (arf! arf!)
The one with the waggley tail
How much is that doggie in the window? (arf! arf!)
I do hope that doggie’s for sale
Credit: Childhood

Song: “The Puppy Pokey”*
You put your small paw in, you put your small paw out.
You put your small paw in, and you shake it all about.
You do the Puppy Pokey, and you turn yourself around.
That’s what it’s all about.
You put your cold nose in, you put your cold nose out.
You put your cold nose in, and you snuffle all about.
You do the Puppy Pokey, and you turn yourself around.
That’s what it’s all about.
You put your floppy ears in, you put your floppy ears out.
You put your floppy ears in, and you shake them all about.
You do the Puppy Pokey, and you turn yourself around.
That’s what it’s all about.
You put your wagging tail in, you put your wagging tail out.
You put your wagging tail in, and you shake it all about.
You do the Puppy Pokey, and you turn yourself around.
That’s what it’s all about.
You put your puppy self in, you put your puppy self out.
You put your puppy self in, and you shake it all about.
You do the Puppy Pokey, and you turn yourself around.
That’s what it’s all about.
Credit: Addison Public Library

Repeating Extension Activities

• Dance Your Fingers*
• Open, Shut Them**

How It Went

This week was spring break week and I had a lot of older siblings attend storytime with their younger siblings. (Generally, we have a no siblings policy, but relax that on school holidays.) This was a good theme for both toddlers and older siblings. For whatever reason, both Tuesday and Thursday were nearly identical in what I used — which rarely happens. Both group enjoyed both books and I would have a hard time picking which was their favorite.