Story Time Theme: Nursery Rhymes
Nursery rhymes seem to have been left by the wayside for the next generation of children. Nursery rhymes have existed for centuries for a very specific reason – they are a great tool to help children learn early literacy skills. So with that in mind, I created a story time theme around nursery rhymes focusing on some of the rhymes adults and children may be unfamiliar with and without realizing it, I also created a great “number” theme story time as well. We started with 1, 2, Buckle My Shoe the most straightforward counting book and a great interactive book with large numbers and fun “quilted” pictures. We then read Ten in the Bed by one of my favorite author/illustrators – Jane Cabrera. In this story the numbers are counted down backwards giving the kids another skill they can use in school. And finally we finished with Hickory Dickory Dock by Keith Baker who also wrote a number of other nursery rhyme books. I liked this one because many people know the simple rhyme, but this story actually goes through each number on the clock.
Opening
- Traditional: “Put Your Hands Up In the Air” & “Open Shut Them”
- Parachute: “Oh Hey Oh Hi Hello” (Jim Gill, Make It Noisy in Boise, Idaho)
Book 1: 1,2, Buckle My Shoe By, Anna Grossnickle Hines
Transition
- Traditional (fine motor): “5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed”
- Parachute (popcorn): “Milch” (Putumayou Kids Presents: Picnic Playground: Musical Treats from Around the World)
Book 2: Ten in the Bed By, Jane Cabrera
Transition (changes weekly)
- Traditional (with bubbles): “Guantanamera” (Putumayou Kids Presents: Latin Playground )
- Parachute (with bubbles): “Guantanamera” (Putumayou Kids Presents: Latin Playground )
Book 3: Hickory Dickory Dock By, Keith Baker
Closing
- Traditional: “Shake Your Sillies Out Puppet Show”
- Parachute: “Freeze!!” (Shakin’ the Chute: Fitness with a Parachute by Michael Plunkett)