Storytime → The Beach

The Summer session of toddler storytime started this past week, and I couldn't be more excited! Though it's only a five-week session, I've got lots of fun themes planned for the month. This past week's theme was the beach, in order to celebrate one of the best spots you can go to during the summer months. I also took advantage of this theme to use my new sandcastle flannels that I posted about for Flannel Friday.

Introduction

Since this was the first week with lots of new participants I did a little run through of basic rules and expectations for the program.

Opening Songs

Hands Go Up! (x2)
Hands go up,
Hands go down,
I can turn around and round,
I can hop upon two shoes,
I can listen, so can you.
I can sit, I'll show you how,
Storytime is starting now.

Open Them, Shut Them (x2)
Open them, shut them,
Open them, shut them,
Give a little clap!
Open them, shut them,
Open them, shut them,
Put them in your lap.
Creep them, crawl them,
Creep them, crawl them,
Right up to your chin,
Open up your little mouth,
But do not let them in!

The Books

Book 1: All you need for a beach / Alice Schertle
Book 2: Duck dunks / Lynne Berry

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: Five Little Sandcastles [Source: Storytime Katie; and my own flannels]
Five little sandcastles, standing on the shore,
The tide came in (whoosh!) and then there were four!
Four little sandcastles, standing by the sea,
The tide came in (whoosh!) and then there were three!
Three little sandcastles standing by the ocean blue,
The tide came in (whoosh!) and then there were two!
Two little sandcastles standing in the sun,
The tide came in (whoosh!) and then there was one.
One little sandcastle just out of reach,
The tide came in (whoosh!) but it stayed on the beach.

Song: Oh Mister Sun [from childhood]
Oh mister sun, sun, mister golden sun,
Please shine down on me!
Oh mister sun, sun, mister golden sun,
Hiding behind a tree.
These little children are asking you,
To please come out so we can play with you.
Oh mister  sun, sun, mister golden sun
Please shine down on me!

Song: Row, Row, Row Your Boat x2 [from childhood]

Action: Head and Shoulders x2 [from childhood]
Head and shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes, knees and toes.
Head and shoulders, knees and toes,
Eyes, ears, mouth and nose!

Fingerplay: Two Little Blackbirds
Two little blackbirds, sitting on a hill,
One named Jack, the other named Jill.
Fly away Jack, fly away Jill,
Come back Jack, come back Jill!

Song: If You're Happy and You Know It [from childhood]

Craft

For the first week, we made nametags. It was a good chance for everyone to get to know one another and for the toddlers to simply colour and get creative with stickers.

Closing Song

The More We Get Together x2

How'd It Go?

It didn't. We didn't have enough children sign up for this session so it all, unfortunately, got cancelled. I'm posting this anyway, because I think it would've been a good week.