Storytime → Bugs

Introduction

Activity: Finding nametags - I did this during my spring session as well, and I like it because it allows everyone to get to know one another and lets the kids get used to seeing their printed names. It becomes a little game at the beginning for everyone to settle in and find their name and learn their letters at the same time.

Opening Songs

Hands go Up! x2
Open Them, Shut Them x2

The Books

Book 1: I love bugs / Emma Dodd
Book 2: The very hungry caterpillar / Eric Carle

Extension Activities

Action Rhyme: Head and Shoulders [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.

Song: The Ants Go Marching [from childhood]
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah! Hurrah!
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah! Hurrah!
The ants go marching one by one, the little one stops to suck his thumb,
And they all go marching down, to the ground, to get out of the rain.
[two/tie a shoe; three/climb a tree]

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

Action Rhyme: Dance Your Fingers [Webster Library, NYPL YouTube]

Rhyme: Itsy Bitsy Spider [from childhood]

Craft

construction paper bee - inspired by this bumblebee craft, I thought it'd be good to have the craft focus on another type of insect that we didn't focus on within the actual storytime section.

Closing Song

The More We Get Together x2

How'd It Go?

It didn't. This was set to be the last session for my summer toddler storytime that never was. Hopefully, I'll be able to reuse it in the future.