April 24, 2024, 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
Mail time! Receiving and sending letters and packages is an exciting prospect to many kids, and an important aspect of life as a grown-up. This week, we learned about mail carriers and read some mystery letters addressed to the Storytime Friends. This Storytime was also right around Valentine’s Day, which was a perfect seasonal complement.
Books Read:
- Snail Brings the Mail
- by Russell Punter
ISBN: 9781601303042 - It Came in the Mail
- by Ben Clanton
ISBN: 9781481403603
Songs & Interactives:
- Lovely Little Letters (inspiration from Jen in the Library)
- Waiting in our mailbox were six letters from mystery friends! The kids listen to the letter read aloud and try to guess who it is from based on the clues. Before opening each letter we sang this fun song:
(to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
Oh, I got a lovely letter in the mail (clap, clap)
Oh, I got a lovely letter in the mail (clap, clap)
Getting mail is so much fun, Let’s see who sent this one
Oh, this lovely little letter in the mail (clap, clap) - “Stop and Go” by Kira Willey
- Egg Shaker Song: “Bicycle” by Laurie Berkner
- Action Rhyme: “I Am a Little Mail Carrier”
I am a little mail carrier,
Who loves to do nothing better.
I walk, walk, walk to your house
to deliver you your letter.
(repeat with “run”, “hop”, “drive”, “skip”, “march”, etc.)
Activities:
- Dramatic Play: Post Office
- Our market stall play area was converted into a post office, complete with letters, packages, stamps, and blue mail box.
- Gross Motor Play: obstacle course
- Plastic stepping stones, beams, and floor mats to rearrange and practice balance.
- Sensory Play: color-matching poms
- Tub filled with colorful poms, scoops, and color-labeled jars to fill.
- Fine Motor Skills: Letter writing and stamping
- Envelopes, rubber stamps, ink pads, markers.
