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
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems**
Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberley*
Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won***
Thank You Bear by Greg Foley
Early Literacy Tip
Identifying different feelings helps build vocabulary and social/emotional skills.
Theme Extension Activities
Flannelboard: “Go Away, Big Green Monster”***
Flannelboard: “Thanks a Lot”***
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
The last storytime in a session is always a little sad, with kids “graduating” to the next level up. Somehow, I held it together and managed not to cry during “Thanks A Lot” which always makes me tear up a little bit. I had a parent thank me afterwards for doing “Go Away, Big Green Monster” since their child has been having difficulties with being scared at night. She loved the “go away!” as a coping skill.
Tuesday afternoon
This group loved telling The Pigeon “NOOO!” And the kids doing “Teddy Bear” was the cutest thing I had seen all week. But the best part was when a mom came up after storytime and asked me if I made all the flannelboards. She loved “Thanks A Lot” and I was able to give her the link to Mel’s Desk for the template!
Thursday morning
“Hooray for Hat!” is the best book ever. Everyone participated so enthusiastically by cheering along. This time, I did get a little mushy during “Thanks A Lot”, but I managed to wipe the tear when I was changing flannel pieces and I don’t think anyone noticed. Lastly, this group was nothing but Pigeon’s sympathizers — they kept saying “yes!”
storytime katie 
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