Staying Safe!

The Plan

Books

Be Careful and Stay Safe by Cheri J. Meiners (some pages clipped)*
How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe? by Jane Yolen*
Llama Llama and the Bully Goat by Anna Dewdney*
Please Play Safe! by Margery Cuyler
Yes, No, Little Hippo by Jane Belk Moncure*

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “Little Cat” (with updated hats)

Puppet Glove: “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed”

Props: “Green Says Go”

Props: “What Is My Job?” Sung to: “Are You Sleeping?”
What is my job?
What is my job?
Can you guess?
Can you guess?
[_________________]
[_________________]
Who am I?
Who am I?
*Other verses: I help people get well (doctor). I make meals for you (chef). I keep your pets healthy (veterinarian). I put out the fires (firefighter). I grow food for you (farmer). I help you cross the street (crossing guard). I can help you stay safe (police officer).
Modified from: Preschool Education, Music, & Songs

Action Rhyme: “Hurry Hurry”
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep!
(Turn the corner, spray the water, climb the ladder, save the people)
Credit: Childhood

How It Went

Site Information
At this location, I do two storytimes and each group has their own theme/storytime. Today’s group was the toddler, two-year-old, & three-year-old classrooms. I read to 45 people total.

Topic
This particular facility selects themes for me to do ahead of time to tie into their curriculum.

When I first got the request for staying safe for two-year-olds, I was really concerned about overwhelming the kids with fears instead of reassuring them. Thank you very much to my Twitter friends for offering suggestions. Most of the suggestions went too old for my kiddos, but it got me thinking. I went with a bit of a community helpers theme and that worked great.

I used “Llama Llama and the Bully Goat” to remind kids that they can always find their teachers for help (since we were in a daycare facility that was perfect). “Yes, No, Little Hippo” was by far the best one and the one that the toddlers understood the most. “How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe?” might have been more successful if I didn’t have the CUTEST kid who yelled, “Dinosaur!” every time I turned the page. Most of the kids and teachers dissolved into laughter. I managed to keep a straight face, but it was pretty hysterical.