Storytime Spotlight: C is for Cookies & Cake (Toddlers)

It’s been waaaaay too long since I shared some storytime reflections… Time flies when you’re having fun!

I try to share an alphabet or color-themed storytime once a month because it’s such a great opportunity to bring in different objects for the kids to compare and discuss how they are the same and different.  This month we did a storytime based on all the delicious different things that start with Letter C: cupcakes, cookies, carrots and cake!

 

*Sing: My Hands Say Hello

*Welcome & Set Expectations

Theme Introduction

Fingerplay: Open, Shut Them

Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Give a little clap, clap, clap.
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Put them in your lap, lap, lap.

Creep them, creep them,
Creep them, creep them,
Right up to your chin, chin, chin.
Open up your little mouth,
But do not put them in!

Read: The Mixed Up Truck by Stephen Savage

I’ve been waiting for the perfect chance to read this fun silly story!  After reading this, I asked when do we eat cake?  Of course they answered birthdays!

Sing: Can’t Wait to Celebrate by Jim Jill

Before doing this song, we talked about how birthdays are a special kind of celebration, and sometimes it can be REALLY hard to wait to open presents or eat cake… let’s sing a song about it!  🙂  I also told my grown-ups that I love this stop and go song because it helps children build self-regulation skills.

Flannel: 5 Little Candles

5 Little Candles

5 little candles on a cake glowing bright,

Let’s make a wish and blow them out of sight!

(repeat with 4, 3, 2, 1)

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Credit: original

*Sing: If You’re Ready for a Story

Early Literacy Tip: Print Motivation

Grown-ups, research shows that when children choose their own books, they’re more likely to enjoy them!  Liking books is important because learning to read is hard work and takes a lot of motivation.  When you let your child choose their own books and read favorite books over and over again, you’re giving them the positive experience with books that they need to learn how to read.

Read: I’m a Hungry Dinosaur by Janeen Brian

To model our early literacy tip in action, I let the toddlers help me pick between I’m A Hungry Dinosaur and Baking with Dad.  Not surprisingly, they wanted to read about dinosaurs.  🙂  This is such a fun book to sing and act along to!  It goes well with the “I’m a Little Teapot” tune.

Sing: Milkshake by Old Town School of Folk Music (shakers)

*Learning Through Play

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*Please visit this page to learn more about my regular storytime songs and routines.