Story Time Theme – Sniffles & Sneezes

It’s that time of year when no matter how much orange juice I drink, if I take my vitamins religiously every day, and wash my hands constantly – I still get a cold.  I’ve had a sore throat (turned into a sinus infection) for a few weeks now and it works out perfectly for this week’s story time – Sniffles & Sneezes.  I liked this story time because it brings together some of my favorite characters from children’s literature and I get to talk to the little ones about being healthy and how to sneeze and cough into elbows rather than hands.  It turned out to be a perfect story time for this week.

Opening

• Traditional: Put Your Hands Up In the Air & Open Shut Them
• Parachute: 1,2,3 Good Morning
• Yoga: Warm-up (Rock n Roll, Zip up Spine, Deep Breaths, Cat/Cow, Dog)

Book 1: Bear Feels Sick by, Karma Wilson / A Sick Day for Amos McGhee by, Philip Christian Stead 

Transition

• Traditional: 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
• Parachute: The Parachute Rap (Shakin’ the Chute – J CD 0502)
• Yoga: Sun Salutations (Mountain, Reach Up, Touch the Ground, Hands at Knees (flat back), Plank Pose, Downward Facing Dog, Walk Toward Hands, Repeat)

Book 2: Llama Llama Home with Mama  by, Anna Dewdney / Zoo Ah-choo by, Peter Mandel

Transition (changes weekly)

• Traditional: Elephants Have Wrinkles (Sing-A-Move-A-Dance)
• Parachute: When the Parachute Goes Up
• Yoga: Poses (Cobra (hover hands), Whale, Bow, Ball, Boat Pose)

Book 3: Ah-Choo by, Christine Taylor-Butler

Closing

• Traditional: Shake Your Sillies Out Puppet Show
• Parachute: Rocketship Run (run underneath) – Laurie Berkner Band (Rocketship Run)
• Yoga: Cool-down (Bridge, Happy Baby Pose, Star Pose/Deep Breaths)
• Naima – Puntumayo (Dreamland: World Lullabies and Soothing Songs)

Early Literacy Extras:

• Sneeze, sniffle, and sick all begin with the letter “S.”  Talk with your child about things you can find around the house that begin with the same letter.
• Sharing stories is a great snuggly activity when children aren’t feeling well, make sure to have plenty of books at home.
• Teach your child what they can expect if you have to visit a doctor’s office.  These places are often scary, but the library has plenty of books about seeing a doctor.
• The sense of rhythm obtained from listening to songs and rhymes will help your child to identify patterns, like rhyming words, which will help them learn to read. Because songs automatically break down words into smaller sounds through tones, singing with your child is one of the best ways develop early literacy skills.