Baby/Toddler Story Time, 3/6/12

Before story time started this morning, a mom told me that her daughter refers to me as "I'm a Little Teapot" at home, as though that is my name. If I ever needed a new story time persona, I could probably do worse than being called Miss Teapot. (Or Miss Pot, as my coworkers suggested.)

In any case, here is this week's a cappella baby/toddler story time.

Opening Song: Hello, how are you?

Book: Sleepy Kittens by Jill and Martin Leman (1994)
I don't know what was wrong with this book, but neither group loved it. I don't think it was the book's fault, though. A group more willing to pay attention might have gotten more out of it. 

Rhyme: Two Little Kittens

Rhyme: Clap, Slap, Tap, Lap 
I accidentally skipped this rhyme during my second session. Oops!

Book: Butterfly, Butterfly by Petr Horacek (2007)
The surprise pop-up at the end of this book gets the best reaction every time. Every adult who is otherwise not paying attention, suddenly jumps to life, and they all want the kids to see the butterfly. And of course, we always follow it up with a butterfly song using a puppet.

Song with Puppet: Flutter, Flutter Butterfly
The last time I sang this song, it was summertime, so the lyrics reflected that. Today, though, we sang "bright blue sky" instead of "summer sky." 

Song: Head and Shoulders

Song: Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands
I think this is a bigger hit than I expected. And it's a good example of why not using a recording is working so well for me. I can banter a little bit between verses without feeling rushed, and with older kids, I'll be able to ask them to choose the motions they want to do. 

• clap, clap, clap your hands
• stomp, stomp, stomp your feet
• flap, flap, flap your arms 
• jump, jump, jump around
• turn, turn, turn around

Song: The Wheels on the Bus

• wheels... round and round
• door... open and shut 
• wipers... swish swish swish
• horn... beep beep beep
• driver... move on back
• people... bumpity bump
• babies... waa waa waa
• grown-ups... shh shh shh 
• wheels... round and round (very fast)

Flannel Board Song: All the Pigs Say Oink, Oink, Oink 
I changed the words to eliminate "little" because it was too many syllables for the Mary Had a Little Lamb tune. Everybody picked it up super-quick, and I think it was a lot more enjoyable to sing than the sometimes long, drawn-out renditions of Old MacDonald we have done in the past.

Rhyme: Wiggle Your Fingers and Toes 
I highly recommend Welcome, Baby! Baby Rhymes for Baby Times by Stephanie Calmenson, which is where I got this excellent rhyme. I was amazed when I looked up and saw several little toddlers doing the motions the very first time through. That is magic! 

Song: Put Your Finger in the Air 

Song: Itsy Bitsy Spider
The most rewarding moment of the day was when I looked in the back of the room and saw one of my former baby lap time kids - now almost two years old - making a spider with his fingers. 

Song: You Are My Sunshine
The first time through, I sang with the puppet. The second time I had everybody make a sun over their head and sing along with me. I was excited to see one adult also signing along with the song during the first session.

Goodbye Song: We Wave Goodbye Like This