Book

“Dog’s Colorful Day” by Emma Dodd
“Ten Terrible Dinosaurs” by Paul Strickland
“Dancing Feet” by Lindsay Craig

ABC Magnets

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!

Five Ballerinas

Five dancing ballerinas
Prancing on their toes.
They twirl and spin and jump
(children spin and jump)
Then off the stage she goes!

(count down)

Silly Dance Contest by Jim Gill

Five Little Dinosaurs

Most children already know “Five Little Monkeys” and the hand motions, I was afraid changing monkeys to dinosaurs would be confusing but I think the flannel board helped them grab the concept. The children and parents were very enthusiastic during this song!

Five little dinosaurs jumping on the bed (bounce 5 fingers)
One fell off and bumped his head (tap head)
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, (phone action)
“No more dinosaurs jumping on the bed!” (shake fingers)

(count down)

My Dog Rags

I have a dog.
His name is Rags.
He eats so much that his tummy sags,
(circle arms in front of you)
His ears flip flop
(hold hands near ears and move them up and down)
and his tail wig wags
(shake bottom)
And when he walks he goes zig zag
(hold hands together and move them side to side)

He goes flip flop, wig wag, zig zag
He goes flip flop, wig wag, zig zag
He goes flip flop, wig wag, zig zag

I love Rags and he loves me!

Source: Jbrary

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 was all about the music and songs! The children enjoyed the books but really got into the songs. They loved the silly dance contest and my dog rags.