Story Time Theme: Pennsylvania One Book, Every Young Child

Pennsylvania is trying to encourage early literacy by providing copies of the same book to libraries, child care centers, and families across the state every April with a program called Pennsylvania One Book, Every Young Child.  This year’s book was Stripes of All Types by Susan Stockdale.  At our library, we incorporate this story into all of our traditional story times in the library, we use it at all of our outreach locations, and even offer a special evening program where we distribute copies of the books to families in the community.  But, I’ve got to say, my favorite part of story time this week was the new (to me) song we did called “Clap Your Hands” by They Must Be Giants, which can be found on the CD – No!  This is a high-energy song and is nice and short too, perfect for toddlers!

Opening

• Traditional: Put Your Hands Up In the Air & Open Shut Them
• Yoga: Warm-up (Rock n Roll, Zip up Spine, Deep Breaths, Cat/Cow, pounce from child pose (lunge forward, Dog)

Puppet: Meet Willy (monkey) and give high fives!

Early Literacy Tip/Story Stretcher: Be sure to pick up a packet as you leave – some great ways to share this book (Stripes of All Types) in particular, but can also be applied to almost any book you read aloud.

ASL Sign: Stripes (using your “4” hand drag hand across body.)

Book One

• Traditional: Stripes of All Types by, Susan Stockdale
• Yoga: Xander’s Panda Party by, Linda Sue Park

 Transition

• Traditional (fine motor skills): 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
• Yoga Sun Salutations (Mountain, Reach Up, Touch the Ground, Hands at Knees (flat back), Plank Pose, Downward Facing Dog, Walk Toward Hands, Repeat 3x)

Book Two

• Traditional: Hello Baby! by, Mem Fox
• Yoga: Wild About Books by, Judy Sierra

Transition (changes weekly)

• Traditional (gross motor skills): “Clap Your Hands” (No! by, They Might Be Giants)
• Yoga Focus: Balance(Star, Shifting weight Star (twinkle, twinkle), Falling Star, Chair, Flamingo, Tree)

Book Three

• Traditional: I Spy with My Little Eye by, Edward Gibbs
• Yoga: Stripes of All Types by, Susan Stockdale

Closing

• Traditional: Shake Your Sillies Out Puppet Show
• Yoga: Cool-down (Bridge, Happy Baby Pose, Star Pose/Deep Breaths)
  • “Cradle Spell of Dunvegan”(Putumayo Presents: Dreamland, World Lullabies & Soothing Songs)
  • Namaste