October 12, 2023, By Library Staff in Early Literacy.
The Youth Services team at ImagineIF Libraries plans and implements early literacy programs for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in Kalispell, Bigfork, and Columbia Falls. Our goal in every Storytime is to connect with young children and their caregivers through books, songs, and interactive activities that foster early literacy and social emotional skills.
Explore the Storytime Schedule
This week’s storytimes were all about FOOD, which is always a fun and meaningful topic for toddlers and preschoolers.
Books Read:
Toddler Storytime
- Kitten’s First Full Moon
- by Kevin Henkes
ISBN: 9780060588298 - The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eats Snacks
- by Eric Carle
ISBN: 9780593384732 - Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
- by Annie Kubler
ISBN: 9781786285799
Preschool Storytime
- Nanette’s Baguette
- by Mo Willems
ISBN: ISBN:9781484722862 - Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas
- by Aaron Blabey
ISBN: 9781338297133 - Dragons Love Tacos
- by Adam Rubin
ISBN: 9780803736801
Songs & Interactives:
- “Boa Constrictor” by Shel Silverstein
- Used with parachute, children and caregivers slowly pulled the parachute up over their toes, knees, middle, and head. Great practice for listening and following directions!
Oh, I’m being eaten by a boa constrictor,
A boa constrictor, a boa constrictor
I’m being eaten by a boa constrictor,
And I don’t like it–one bit.
Well, what do you know? It’s nibblin’ my toe.
Oh, gee, It’s up to my knee.
Oh my, It’s up to my thigh.
Oh, fiddle, It’s up to my middle.
Oh, heck, It’s up to my neck.
Oh, dread, It’s upmmmmmmmmmmffffffffff . . . - Parachute Popcorn
- “Pop” giant pom-poms in the parachute over and over again. Big fun!
- “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”
- “Five Plump Peas”
Five fat peas in a peapod pressed
One grew, two grew, so did all the rest
They grew and they grew and they wouldn’t stop
They grew and grew until they popped- “Mix a Pancake”
Mix a pancake;
stir a pancake;
pop it in a pan;
fry a pancake;
toss a pancake;
catch it if you can!- Flannelboard: Five Hungry Ants
Five hungry ants marching in a line,
Came upon a picnic where they could dine.
They marched into the salad,
They marched into the cake,
They marched into the pepper…
Uh oh! That was a mistake!
A..a..a..choo!
Four hungry ants marching in a line… (etc)- Flannelboard: Ice Cream (Preschool Storytime only)
- Match the numbers on the cones to the number of dots on the ice cream. This helps practice one-to-one correspondence and well as number recognition.
Activities:
Toddler Storytime
- Sensory Tub: Bubble Ice Cream
- giant sponge and bubbles, plastic ice cream cones, bowls, spoons, and scoops.
- Fine Motor Play: Popcorn!
- light table, plastic popcorn bags, yellow-colored pom poms
- Process Art
- shiny paper and dot markers
- Dramatic Play: Pizza Parlor
- market stall with pizza playset
Preschool Storytime
- Sensory Tub: Bubble Ice Cream
- giant sponge and bubbles, plastic ice cream cones, bowls, spoons, and scoops.
- Fine Motor Play/Process Art: Tortilla Painting
- tray with paper towel and corn tortilla, q-tips, diluted food coloring (it’s edible!)
- Gross Motor Play: Butter Making
- shake cream in small jars to spread on baguette slices – yum!
- Dramatic Play: Taco Stand
- market stall with cash register, trays and plates, laminated menu, and taco ingredients: pom poms (meat), foam board and felt (veggies and tortillas), and yarn (cheese)
