Saturday Family Story Time, 9/10

Oh, Saturday story time. I keep saying I'm not going to keep doing it, but they're always such nice experiences! Today's crowd (of 6) was totally different from the last Saturday one we did - it was mostly babies then; this time it was all preschool. Only one Grandma actually joined us, though it was billed as a Grandparents' Day story time, but it was so much fun, and everyone was really relaxed and engaged.

This is what we did:

Opening Song: Hello, how are you?

Book: Grandma Comes to Stay by Ifeoma Onyefulu (2010)
Three-year-old Stephanie helps her mum and sister prepare for an overnight visit from Grandma. A nice slice-of-life story with photographs. It was especially nice to have two kids who actually were three in my group today!


Rhyme: Grandma's Glasses
I was shocked by how much they liked this rhyme. I am not such a fan!

Book: The Grandpa Book by Todd Parr
I have never read a Todd Parr book in story time before, and honestly, I had never even heard of him until I started working here! His books are wonderful, though, especially in terms of diversity and sending positive messages about love and friendship. 

Song: I'm a Little Teapot

Song: Head and ShouldersSomething I'm still figuring out is when I do and do not need to include songs. I include them in the baby/toddler story times because the variety keeps their attention, but when I ask the older kids to get up and move around, they seem to wish I wouldn't. I'm still working on it. 

Flannel Board Song: Grandpa's Ties / Grandma's Scarves 
This was so good! They loved the wild and crazy rainbow tie and scarf. 

Flannel Board Song: Down on Grandpa's Farm by Raffi
Our flannel board farm animals are not at all the right colors for this song, but we persevered.  I don't always have a lot of luck with Raffi songs, but this one caught on quick!

Book: I'm Going to Grandma's by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke
A sweet story about a girl who visits her grandparents' house and learns about her grandmother's own visits to her own grandma long ago. 

Song: ABCD Medley
A family left right before this song. I think it was time to be done. It seems like I can do more books and flannel boards with these older groups and cut out most of my songs.

Goodbye Song: We Wave Goodbye Like This