Toddlers: Counting

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

Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker**
One Family by George Shannon*
Swallow the Leader by Danna Smith
Ten in the Bed by Jane Cabrera***

Early Literacy Tip
The use of small percussion instruments such as bells, rhythm sticks, shakers, and drums help children with muscular development and coordination.
** Notice how this early lit tip has nothing to do with today’s prop of scarves? Whoops! I turned it into a “it’s okay to make mistakes” tips for caregivers.

Theme Extension Activities

Featured CD: ABCs & 123s***

Featured Track: #13 This Old Man

Flannelboard: Five Little Books***

Flannelboard: Picture Windows***

Repeating Extension Activities

• The Elevator Song**
• Everyone Can March
• Popcorn Kernels***
• This Is Big, Big, Big***
• We Wave Our Scarves Together***

How It Went

Monday morning (9:30)
I flip-flopped this week and read my quieter book for the first book, One Family, and it worked really well! The kids were nice and calm after our introductions and our opening song and it was an easy segue. We counted each family in the illustrations and I kept asking if the kids thought the family could grow bigger. I, of course, had some kids that were convinced that it would and some that were adamant that the family could not get bigger. What I really loved was hearing the caregivers have conversations: “That’s the size of our family.” “We have a grandma in our house.” “Oh, look, twins like us.”

Thursday morning (9:30)
This class was packed — I had nearly everyone in attendance on my list — and the class was a bit chaotic because of it. I knew that I needed more active stories, so I went with Big Fat Hen and Ten in the Bed. I did more verses of “We Wave Our Scarves Together” (normally it’s wave, shake, and hide). Today, I added toss and peek-a-boo to help keep everyone’s attention. Remarkably, everyone pays really good attention when the manipulatives come out!

Thursday morning (10:30)
My quiet class! This group needed both active stories Big Fat Hen and Ten in the Bed to draw them into the storytime. I really loved watching a few of the more tentative kiddos play along with the books and activities. I was especially proud of a friend that has struggled with our bubble time at the end. This friend prefers to wait for the bubbles to come to them instead of joining the group in the middle of the rug. But not today! Today, my friend went right into the fray and their caregivers were so thrilled!