Storytime

Storytime: Letter H

Books

“Whose Hat? by Margaret Miller
“Clip-Clop!” by Nicola Smee
“Building a House” by Byron Barton

While I read “Clip-Clop” I had the parents put their child on their lap and turned the book into a bounce, the parents and kids alike really got into it.

ABC Magnets

h

I like to start and end the Alphabet program by singing our ABCs. To start I put out all of the letter magnets and have the children tell me what letter is missing, that becomes our letter of the day. After we go through the letter and some words that start with it I invite each child up to take two letters off the board and put it into my bag. At first all the children like to swarm up and will grab as many letters as they possibly can, but after a few weeks they begin to understand that they must wait until they hear their name called. To help them stick with two letters only I count out loud (this program maxes out at 12 children so I know I will have enough letters). The children get very excited when it is their turn, plus this helps them learn patience and how to take turns!

Building a House

I’m going to build a little house
(form arch over head)
With windows big and bright
(circles around eyes)
With chimney tall and curling smoke drifting out of sight
(stretch up arms, make drifting motion)
In winter when the snowflakes fall,
(flutter hands down)
Or when I hear a storm,
(cup hand to ear)
I’ll go inside my little house,
(crouch inside)
And I’ll be safe and warm
(hug self or child)

Source: SurLaLune

Silly Hat Song (Tune: This Old Man)

On my head, I wear my hat.
It is such a silly hat
That my head will wiggle waggle to and fro
Where else can my silly hat go?

(repeat with other body parts)

Ten Galloping Horses

Ten galloping horses
(hold up ten fingers)
Came through town
(slap hands on legs like galloping)
Five were white
(hold up five fingers)
And five were brown
(hold up five fingers on other hand)
They galloped up
(slap up toward top of thighs)
They galloped down
(slap down toward knees)
Ten galloping horses
(hold up ten fingers)
Came through town
(slap hands on legs like galloping)

Source: King’s County Library System

Marching Around the Alphabet by Hap Palmer

This song has become a story time favorite! Every week the children line up on the outside of the alphabet rug and start to march with their adult. When the whistle blows the children stop, bend down and point out which letter they are standing on. I like to participate as well and sometimes I will ask a child what letter they stopped on and the color of the square.

Parachute

The children all grab on and we make some waves (fast, slow, big, small) then I ask the parents to hold on to the parachute. The adults lower the parachute and then pop it into the air, the children then go under (lots of happy squeals) and we gently shake the parachute over their heads. We do this 3 or 4 times, there is always one child that doesn’t want to come out but the parents are pretty good about it. Next I have the children hold on again and place foam letters on the parachute. We shake the parachute and watch the letters fly (again lots of happy squeals)!

ABCs

Craft

I always tell the parents to please do not do the craft for their child, feel free to help them use the glue stick but if they want to put an eye where the foot should be well then that’s just artistic license!

How it Went: Today I had a parent tell me how much they love coming to storytime and how her daughter talks about the library had home. I love hearing these compliments!

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