Winter Wonderland!

Although it is rather warm in New Jersey today, I had a Winter Wonderland Storytime! This program was for children ages 3 to 6.

Books

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.

These are two of my favorite winter books. The kids always love the silly activities of the snowmen in Snowmen at Night. The Snowy Day is a true classic. It's a sweet story about a boy named Peter and his snow day adventures. I like to engage the kids during this book. I'll ask questions like "Do you make snow angels like Peter?" or "How many of you have built a snowman?". When Peter puts the snowball in his pocket, it disappears. I'll ask, "What do you think happened to the snowball?". The kids love to tell you about their own snow day activities!

Songs

Warm Mittens
Courtesy of CanTeach

In our version, we repeat the first verse at the end. We also have actions for each movement.

I wiggle my left hand,
(shake left hand)
I wiggle my right,
(shake right hand)
Inside of my mittens,
(give yourself a hug)
So warm and so tight.
I wiggle my pinkie.
(wiggle pinkie)
I wiggle my thumb,
(wiggle thumb)
so when I make snowballs,
(pretend to make snowball)
my hands don't get numb.
(rub hands together)
I wiggle my left hand,
(wiggle left hand)
I wiggle my right,
(wiggle right hand)
Inside of my mittens,
So warm and so tight.
(give yourself a hug)

Polar Bear, Polar Bear
By Jean Warren, courtesy of Preschool Express.

Hey! Mr. Snowman
Courtesy of the blog Storytiming

I made the prop using our large plot printer and clip art.

Activity

If You Have Some Rhythm Sticks
Courtesy of Jbrary

The Wheels on the Bus
Courtesy of Jbrary

Bread & Butter
Courtesy of Jbrary

Craft

Polar Bear and Snow Globe

We made two crafts with this program!

Supplies:

• Paper plate
• White card stock or construction paper
• Black pom poms
• Google eyes
• School Glue
• Cotton balls

 Supplies:

•  Two shades of blue card stock 
• Cotton balls
• Sequins
• Snowflake stickers
• White card stock or construction paper
• Black and orange markers for the snowman

Bubblegum & Bubbles!

This program was for children ages 3 to 6. It was a lot of fun! Who doesn't like bubbles?

Books

Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum by Lisa Wheeler
Harry and Horsie by  Katie Van Camp

Songs & Fingerplays 

Sticky, Sticky Bubble Gum
Courtesy of Jbrary

In our version we stick our hands to our head, hips, knees, shoulders, and feet.

Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum

We sang the classic song Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish. During the rhyme, we bumped our fists on top of the other. I started with three pieces of bubble gum. We clapped every time we counted each number. We repeated the song, adding a piece of bubble gum each time. We only went up to number 6. 

I Had a Little Turtle
Courtesy of Jbrary.
Activity

Bubbles!

I used the song Icky Sticky Bubble Gum from the CD Action! Fun! Dance!


Craft

Bubble Machine!

Supplies:

• Paper plates
• Glue sticks
• Pom poms
• Red construction paper
• Gray construction paper

Bedtime & Blankets

This theme was used in a toddler program.

Books

KiKi's Blankie by Janie Bynum
Bears in Beds by Shirley Parenteau

Songs & Fingerplays

Five Little Monkeys

This is the Way We Yawn & Stretch
Inspired by Mel's Desk

In our version we end the song with a hug goodnight. I have the kids give themselves a hug.

Time for Bed
Courtesy of Child Care Lounge

Activity

Shaker Eggs!

Egg Shakers Up!
Courtesy of Jbrary

In our version the kids put their hands behind their back, or cross their arms, when putting the egg to bed.

If You're Happy and You Know It
Courtesy of Library Land

For free dance, I used the song Rockin' Robin by Bobby Day from the CD A Child's Celebration of Rock N' Roll.

Image courtesy of Clipart Panda.