Sensory-Friendly Storytime Theme: Things That Go

I was surprised that I had never done this theme for my sensory storytime as that it’s such a popular theme for storytime.  So, without further ado, here’s my transportation theme for my sensory friendly storytime.  This storytime is done a little differently than my toddler storytimes, geared toward a smaller audience with a lot of interaction in the hopes of connecting with each and every child.  I use a great website called do2Learn to find my picture cards to create my schedule.  I loved this storytime and sadly only had one little friend attend, so I’ll definitely be keeping this storytime for another group of kids!

Storytime Plan

Opening Song: Open, Shut Them

Schedule: Picture Cards

Book: Little Blue Truck by Alice Schetle

Song: “The Wheels On the Bus” (with shaker eggs)

Rhyme (Fine Motor): “Zoom, Zoom, Zoom”
Zoom, zoom, zoom
We’re going to the moon.
Zoom, zoom, zoom
We’re going to the moon.
If you want to take a trip
climb aboard my rocket ship.
Zoom, zoom, zoom
We’re going to the moon.
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Blast off!

Flannel Board/Folder: Tip Tip Dig Dig by Emma Garcia

Song: “Drivin’ In My Car” by Ralph’s World

Activity (Gross Motor): “The Crazy Traffic Light” by Rob Reid
There’s a crazy traffic light
On a corner in our town.
It has the normal colors,
You know, yellow means slow down,
And green means go
And red means stop.
It’s all the other colors
That’ll make your mouth drop.

Chorus:
When you see a pink light,
It means hop like a bunny.
When the light is purple.
Make a face that’s funny.
When the light turns orange,
You should bark like a dog.
When the brown light shines,
You can oink like a hog.
When the white light’s bright,
You should give a loud roar.
When the light turns blue,
Fall asleep and snore.

One day the workers came
To fix that crazy light.
They tried to make it like
All the other traffic lights.
They spent a lot of money
Tearing out its guts.
They tried to guarantee
Traffic wouldn’t go nuts.
They put in brand new wires.
They worked all day and night.
The thought when they were finished
That they changed that traffic light.
But when they switched it on
After spending all that dough,
It flashed those crazy colors
That the kids all know.

(Chorus)

Book: Night Light by Nicholas Blechman

Closing Song: We Wave Good-Bye Like This