Toddlers: Hello

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

Hello, Airplane! by Bill Cotter*
Hello, Moon by Francesca Simon
Say Hello! by Rachel Isadora*
Say Hello Like This by Mary Murphy***

Early Literacy Tip

Library programs like this can be considered a child’s first class. Positive experiences of learning in a group setting at a young age help children form an enthusiastic attitude toward learning in a classroom setting.

Theme Extension Activities

Featured CD: Wiggleworms Love You

Featured Track: #1 “Hello, How Are You?”***

Puppets: “Hi, Pizza Man!”**

Flannelboard: “Can We Find?”***
(Tune: Muffin Man)
Can we find an orange cat,
An orange cat, an orange cat?
Can we find an orange cat?
We want to say hello!

Repeating Extension Activities

• Elevator Song**
• Open, Shut Them**
• These Are My Glasses**
• This Is Big, Big, Big***
• Zoom, Zoom, Zoom**

How It Went

Tuesday morning
It was a full, full class this morning! And I pushed them to get through two books because they are my oldest group. I was proud of them for sitting so still. One of my regulars from “Shake, Shimmy, & Dance” programs started Toddlers this session and I can tell she really misses the constant dancing/movement. As always, the “Elevator Song” equals major love.

Thursday morning (9:30)
This is my youngest ever average for a toddler class. We are hosting this class during our traditional baby class hour because patrons have requested an earlier toddler class for the 18-24 month crowd. I will likely only get through one book with this group, but that’s okay. We read “Say Hello Like This” and heard lots of animal noises today! On the way out, a grandparent said to me, “You have the patience of Job.”

Thursday morning (10:30)
During our Name-Oops rhyme, I had two boys with the same name who kept eyeing each other: “Why do you have my name?” This was by far my best behaved toddler class all week; they loved “Hello, Airplane!” But my favorite part was when a mom pulled me aside afterwards to let me know that her toddler demands to watch Miss Katie every day! This past session, she took video of me singing one of our songs (with my permission) and her little guy points at her phone saying “Miss Katie Miss Katie Miss Katie” until she gives him the video. Heart melt!