Story Time Theme – Love

I had to offer a Valentine’s Day themed storytime this week for my kids.  Some of my favorite picture books are all about love and snuggles and the kids did really well today!  This was the first time I got to see my Monday story time group (finally!) and although only 7 kids showed up, they were full of energy and were so excited about story time.

I mentioned my story time rules and one mom was very concerned that her child was roaming around the room during story time.  I told her after our first song that her child was fine, she wasn’t running on the steps or behind the puppet stage and to just let her absorb our story time in the best way she could.  The mother looked so relieved and I think they both enjoyed story time much more after I said something.  I had a fairly young crowd for my toddler story time with many more on the young 2-year-old side so I encouraged  a lot of interaction throughout our stories to keep them engaged.  Overall, it was a great story time and the kids were even able to make this cute story time craft that I borrowed from our last story, My Heart is Like a Zoo.  All of the animals in the story are made out of hearts, it’s an adorable, rhyming book!  The kids just glued the three hearts together and they were able to take their lion valentine’s home!

Parent Info: Rhyming books help children to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words… also known as phonological awareness.  This later helps children as they learn to read by sounding out words. 

Opening

• Song: “Put Your Hands Up In the Air “
• Fingerplay: “Open Shut Them”

Book 1: Penguin in Love ~ by, Salina Yoon 

Transition: “5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed”

Book 2/Flannel Board: Won’t You Be My Hugaroo? ~ by, Joanne Ryder

Transition (changes weekly)     Skinamarink

Book 3: My Heart Is Like a Zoo ~ by, Michael Hall

Closing: “Shake Your Sillies Out” Puppet Show