Toddlers: Fall

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

Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell*
Kitten’s Autumn by Eugenie Fernandes*
Ol’ Mama Squirrel by David Ezra Stein
Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson***

Early Literacy Tip

It takes five to twelve seconds for children to respond. We need to be patient after asking a question.

Theme Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “Five Little Pumpkins”***

Flannelboard: “Ouch”***

Action Song: “The Leaves Are Falling Down”*
Song: “The Leaves are Falling Down” (Tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”)
The leaves are falling down
The leaves are falling down
Red, yellow, green, and brown
The leaves are falling down
Credit: Preschool Education – Songs: Fall

Fingerplay: “Way Up High In the Apple Tree”***
Way up high in the apple tree (stretch arms up high)
Two red apples smiled at me (hold up two fingers)
I shook that tree as hard as I could (make a shaking motion)
Down came the apples… (make a downward motion)
And mmm, they were good! (smile and rub stomach)
Credit: Childhood

Repeating Extension Activities

• The Elevator Song*
• Open, Shut Them***
• Put Your Hands Up High*
• Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear*
• This Is Big**

How It Went

Tuesday morning
I had an amazing time dancing with two of my toddlers during “Put Your Hands Up High”. We had an extended quacking session and two of my girls came over to dance with me, holding my hands. (Which made singing the song hard, but that is life!) They really enjoyed “Ouch”, but we only got through one book this session.

Tuesday afternoon
My biggest afternoon crowd yet! I had two kids that were really good at participating this week and another toddler really opened up after being very reserved the last class. Our song cube rolled the ABCs today and one caregiver/toddler pair were very excited because the child was wearing an ABC shirt!

Thursday morning
Can I just say that “The Elevator Song” is pure joy? Also, flannelboards were a huge hit today. Storytime started late because of the toddlers had an accident and had to run to the bathroom. I was very happy that it didn’t happen on the rug because I’m just not sure how I would have been able to have storytime…