Toddlers: Pets

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

Ah-Choo! by Lana Wayne Koehler & Gloria Adams
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell**
Here Comes Poppy and Max by Lindsey Gardiner**
Meeow and the Big Box by Sebastien Braun**

Early Literacy Tip
It takes longer for children who are just learning to talk to respond to our questions. We need to be patient and wait anywhere from 5-12 seconds for children to respond. That feels like a long time because adults usually respond in about 2 seconds.

Theme Extension Activities

Featured CD: Kids in the City***

Featured Track: #2 Kitty Cat (with puppets)***

Flannelboard: “Dog’s Colorful Day”

Repeating Extension Activities

• Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
• Roly Poly***
• These Are the Colors***
• This Is Big, Big, Big***
• Zoom, Zoom, Zoom***

How It Went

Monday morning (9:30)
This group absolutely loved the little puppet show I put on while singing our featured track: “Kitty Cat” by Laura Doherty. And I’m so proud of all the kiddos for doing a great job using the wrist ribbons and cleaning them up. Dear Zoo was the biggest book hit. I had several toddlers who kept wandering up to the edge of the blue carpet “no fly” zone to try and reach for the pop-ups!

Thursday morning (9:30)
My first class of Thursday morning toddlers was nice and full! Their favorite book was definitely Here Come Poppy and Max, which incorporates a lot of large animal movement. This group was very into using the wrist ribbons and I saw some great caregiver engagement during this activity; modeling for the toddlers that weren’t yet participating. During the first few weeks, I often have to remind caregivers that we’re still learning our new friends and the room.

Thursday morning (10:30)
Second group of toddlers also really enjoyed Here Come Poppy and Max for their favorite book. These kiddos were spellbound during “Zoom Zoom Zoom” and I almost did the rhyme a third time just to see their smiling faces again. I had a few extra people (visiting relatives and two drop-ins) and I was happy that everyone jumped in and participated.