Toddler Activity Time

I recently hosted an evening Toddler Activity Time. I used the same format as the previous program.

Songs & Fingerplays

I incorporated some nursery rhymes into this Activity Time.

Humpty Dumpty

For this rhyme I had the kids act out movements. It went as follows:

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
(tap hands on knees)
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
(roll hands downwards)
All the kinds horses, and all the kings men
(tap hands on knees)
Couldn't put Humpty together again.
(place hands together over your head)

Hickory Dickory Dock

I was inspired by Jbrary's version of Hickory Dickory Dock. We only counted up to three.

Bubble Pop
Courtesy of Jbrary

I'm a Big Whale
Courtesy of Preschool Education

Instead of "I am swimming" we sing "I am splashing" while tapping our knees.

Fish are Swimming
Courtesy of Preschool Education

We also sang a variety of old favorites.


Scarf Play

Let's Go Riding in an Elevator
Courtesy of Jbrary

The Fish in the Sea
Courtesy of Jbrary

The kids free danced to Octopus's Garden afterwards. 

Craft

Paper Plate Pineapple!

Supplies:

• Green construction paper
• Plate
• Yellow tissue paper
• Stapler
• Glue sticks  

I had a volunteer cute out the pineapple top and shape to make it easier for the kids, since they were younger.

This craft was inspired by Glued to My Crafts.

Toddlers & Twos Activity Time

This program was similar to the Activity Time for 3s & 4s. I used the storytime format, minus the books. In addition to songs and fingerplays, we had fun with scarves and action play! The kids really enjoyed the program.

I always have the kids act out songs. You can create your own movements based on the age group. Below is a list of a few of the songs and fingerplays I used:

Five Cupcakes
Courtesy of Poetry for Kids Joy

Tommy Thumb

I'm a Big Whale
Courtesy of Preschool Education.
Instead of "I am singing" we say "I am splashing".

Fish are Swimming
Courtesy of Preschool Education 

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
Courtesy of Jbrary 

We also sang a bunch of old classics.

After the songs and fingerplays, I encouraged more movement and dance. I used the following songs and asked the kids to act out each movement.

London Town from the "Preschool Gym" CD
Hands are for Clapping by Jim Gill  from the CD "The Sneezing Song and Other Contagious Tunes".
Head Shoulders Knees and Toes

Afterwards we danced with scarves. I used the song "I'm a Believer" from the "Back to the Beat" CD for the free dance portion.

Craft
Make a fish!

• White card stock
• Popsicle sticks
• Crayons
• Cupcake wrappers
• Glue sticks

The fish outline is from My Cute Graphics. 

Activity Time for 3s & 4s

Today I had my first Activity Time for children ages 3 and 4. I used the storytime format, minus the books. I made sure to include extra songs with numbers, colors, and a few letters. In addition to songs and fingerplays, we had fun with rhythm sticks and a round of freeze dance. The kids really enjoyed the program!

Below is a list of a few of the songs and fingerplays I used:

Bubble, Bubble, Pop!
Courtesy of Jbrary

Alphabet Beat
Courtesy of Stoyrtime Katie 

Let's Get the Rhythm 
Courtesy of Jbrary 

The Elevator Song
Courtesy of Jbrary

In our version we start with our thumbs up. Since I use this song with kids ages 3 and up, I have them touch the ground then reach up for the elevator portion.

Go Bananas!
Courtesy of Jbrary

In our version we say "Bananas Unite! Bananas Split". We start by picking the bananas instead of chopping. We also repeat "Go bananas" like every other verse in the song.

Pretty Ladybug
Courtesy of Storytime Katie

I use a board for this song. See the information on the insect storytime for details.

Pop Goes the Berry
Courtesy of Jbrary

The Sharks in the Sea
This song is to the tune "The Wheels on the Bus".

The sharks in the sea go chomp, chomp, chomp!
(Clap your hands)
Chomp, chomp, chomp!
Chomp, chomp, chomp!
The sharks in the sea go chomp, chomp, chomp!
All day long.

Other verses
The lobsters in the sea go pinch, pinch, pinch.
(Make a claw shape with hands. Then make a pinching motion.)
The fish in the sea go splash, splash, splash.
(Slap knees with hands)
The clams in the sea go open and shut.
(Make a shell shape out of hand. Then open and shut it)
The octopus in the sea goes wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.
(Wiggle hands)

For freeze dance, I used the CD "The Fresh Beat Band: Music from the Hit TV Show". They have a great version of freeze dance.

We also danced to Greg & Steve's "Can't Sit Still" from the CD "Kids in Action". This is a great song that directs kids through each movement.

Craft

We made paper plate dinosaurs after the program. This was a huge hit! This craft was inspired by the blog Learn With Play at Home.

Supplies:

• Yellow Paper Plates
• Foam Shapes
• Yellow Card stock
• Google eyes
• Dinosaur templates