Experimental Programming for Caregivers & Their Children Ages 0-36 Months

Yoga? Zumba? Support groups? There's really no reason these types of classes can't happen in a library; after all, moms and their babies ARE learning some new skills, and gaining new knowledge about each specific form of exercise!

Mom and Baby Yoga

• Baby and Me Yoga 
• I am so happy, because I had planned a bunch of Mom and Baby Yoga classes at my last library, but left for my new position before they were scheduled to actually happen. It took a lot of research and communication, but I was finally able to track down a wonderful new instructor to come all the way out and teach some classes here at my new library.

• Musical Performances for Babies & Toddlers
• Tunes with Tim comes highly recommended by the the Old Town School of Folk Music, which is a big name in Chicago, and even the greater midwest. I spent a bit of time clicking around their website and looking through their kids' classes, which they list the instructors for. This is where I found Tunes with Tim. I was really looking for a music performer who was able to gear their performance to the tiniest of patrons -- birth up through 24 months -- and so I was looking at the Wiggleworms instructors. 

Zumbini = Mom and Baby Zumba

• Zumbini
• Have you watched any of the amazing Mom/ Baby Zumba videos on YouTube? If you haven't, please prepare yourself for the adorableness that is Zumbini. Most moms just strap on or wrap up baby in a front or back carrier, and then let loose! However, there are some classes I've seen videos of in which babies and children are down and dancing with their caregiver, but it really is adorable to watch as mom exercises, and baby bounces along for the ride. 
• I kept thinking to myself, what a wonderful experience for moms: you can exercise AND spend some quality time with your baby. And really, moms with the littlest of children are usually looking for opportunities to get out of the house and do something with their child that involves GROWN-UPS too. So, why not try hosting some Zumbini classes at the library? After all, a lot of libraries host Zumba for adults these days!

• Stroller Strides
• Stroller Strides is basically moms exercising while their babies stay in the strollers. The exercises range, so some of the time, moms may be facing their children or using the strollers in their exercises. What you CAN'T see in pictures is that most of the exercises have children's tunes and rhymes that go along with them, and the moms all sing them together. Also, the instructors will sometimes read a short book to the children while moms do some brief intense exercises on their own.

New Moms Support Group

• New Moms Support Group
• Although I'm not a mother myself, but I've been trying to learn more about the culture of new motherhood, in order to better serve the many caregivers of our tiniest patrons. From what I've learned, being a new mom can both be joyous and scary, and even if you're experiencing the miracle of bonding with your new baby, you may feel more alone than ever. My goal is to create a community group of new moms who can meet together in a safe space, like a private programming room of the library, and bond over their struggles and joys. Libraries ARE becoming more of a community hub, and so my only question I'm left with is: why NOT facilitate a support group of new moms in our community? 
• Start by contacting Doulas and other "new parent" focused organizations in your area. 

Baby Sign Language

• Sign with Me, Baby!
• Baby sign language is pretty awesome. I helped run some baby sign language classes when I worked at the Ann Arbor District Library in Michigan (disclaimer: I didn't RUN the class, just helped out!) and I fell in love. Not only does it help develop your baby's hand muscles, but it more importantly helps your baby learn to communicate with you before they can talk. Signs like "all done" and "more" can make meal times much less of a headache! 

Mommy & Me Classes in the Library: Where to Start

If you're interested in offering a wide variety of new and interesting programs for caregivers and their babies at your library, I suggest starting off with a quick Google search of "mommy and me classes ____ (your town/city/zipcode)" and seeing what pops up.
I'm fortunate that I'm not TOO far from Chicago, so there's a lot offered in the area.
When I searched Google, I did find a lot of "round-up" type articles, which were really helpful. For example, Red Tricycle writes a lot of round-ups on things to do in Chicago with your child (note: they also cover other major U.S. cities, take a look!), and so I found that their article 20 Things You MUST Do With a Baby in Chicago to be super helpful for not only sparking ideas, but also for places to contact for instructors.

The magical fortress that is Little Beans Cafe (Evanston location)

One of my other secret weapons is Little Beans Cafe in Chicago/Evanston, from which MANY of my ideas for mom/baby programs were sparked! This cute little cafe features a play space and offers a ton of classes for young children. Caffeine? Entertainment for your child? Too good to be true? A big ol' YES. Why? Because you have to pay an arm and a leg for these classes! I'm sure they're wonderful, but why pay when you can attend similar programs at your public library? That's my point of view, at least.


So, my advice to all of you readers is: Check out caregiver/child hubs in YOUR community. Where do parents and nannies mingle? What's hot? What are they PAYING for that you can offer for FREE them in return for their hard earned tax dollars? What can you do to better serve the parents, caregivers, and their young children in your community? What new experiences can you offer them? There is so much out there. You'll send a lot of emails, and do a lot of back-and-forth communicating, but in the end: it'll be worth it.

Using a Bubble Machine in Storytimes

Why Use Bubbles in Storytime?

My job of modeling the importance of play is just as significant as modeling the importance of reading and singing, and I have found that the bubble machine stimulates all sorts of happiness in my storytimes.

First, it gives children a fun sensory experience and a chance to play together with the other children in the beginning of storytime - as opposed to just the end - breaking down some initial shyness/quietness among the group.

Second, it is an amazing open-ended play experience, whether we're using it during our hello song or during our free play time at the end (our "goodbye" bubbles, when I just put on a music CD and let the kids run around in the bubbles).

Third, it gets everyone up and moving. As I just mentioned, for goodbye bubbles, it is less structured and more "free play", and I walk around the entire room as little ones bounce along after me. It's a great opportunity for a little bit of exercise and releasing all that energy!


The "Bubble Wiggle Jiggle" Hello song: This is a new song that I wrote to use with my new BUBBLE MACHINE! I just wanted a fun, new way to say hello at the start of storytimes, and this is it. I sing it acapella style, so I always encourage caregivers to clap along!

The Bubble Wiggle Jiggle (Tune: Shortin'n Bread)
Written by April Howe

Little round bubble, bubble, bubble
Little round bubble, I love you!
(x2) 

Verse 1:
Bubble to the Left,
Bubble to the Right
Wiggle and Jiggle
We’re Feelin’ Alright! 

Verse 2:
Bubble up High
Bubble down Low
Wiggle and Jiggle
Let’s Say Hello! 

Verse 3:
Bubbles floating slow
Bubbles floating fast
Wiggle and Jiggle
We're having a blast! 

Verse 4:
Bubble so quiet
Bubble so LOUD
Wiggle and jiggle
You make me so proud!

I initially wrote the 4 verses above, but stuck with just the first two (ending on "let's say hello"), in order to limit the amount of time we spend on bubbles in the beginning.

So, the bubble machine is running as we sing the song. I hang onto it and walk back and forth, lifting it up high so that the bubbles float for longer. I also try to get around to those sitting down in the back who are feeling to shy to come up front and see the bubbles.

For about 30 seconds after the song, I leave the bubble machine running. Then, I ask everyone to count to five and we say goodbye for now to the Bubble Machine.

The bubble machine comes back out at the end of storytime for "goodbye bubbles" - which is just some free play time chasing bubbles! As I mentioned earlier, I just put on a CD (my favorite is usually some Laurie Berkner, at least lately!) and walk around the room as the kids follow me. (I often joke to the caregivers that I could rule the world with this thing, and that if it ever broke, I'd have an angry mob on my hands!)

About the Bubble Machine: Above is the bubble machine I use. The brand is Bubble Blitz. It was $10.99 at Target (don't buy it at Amazon because you will over-pay). And it is The. Best. Invention. EVER. Also, the bubble liquid is great, it is non-toxic, non-sticky. I always tell parents that.

I had to replace it once, but I think it's because I used some cheap bubble liquid that gunked up the motor (also could have been from a co-worker who poured too much in!), because the wheel stopped turning (it would pause a few seconds after running).

I exchanged it for a new machine and have been extremely careful with it - careful how much/how fast I'm pouring, and only using the Bubble Blitz brand of liquid. I've only seen it sold at Target, but I'm sure there are other good quality brands of bubbles out there.

As you can tell, I'm kind of over protective of it, only because my storytime kids love it so much. ;)

Using a Parachute in Storytimes

My first time using the parachute at storytime was scary at first, but quickly turned awesome! At this point, we have a larger parachute (12") but initially at this storytime I was using the library's smaller 6" or 8" parachute. Taking the leap to the bigger 'chute was definitely a good idea, especially for my bigger group. I got ours on Amazon for a little over $20 bucks. Not a bad deal, and it has really held up well!

I use the parachute during the last 5-10 minutes of storytime. Then, we sing our goodbye song and then we do goodbye bubbles, followed by about 20-30 minutes of free play with our toys.

It usually helps to "practice" with kids before you get going. "If You're Happy and You Know It" is a great song to help kids get the feel of using the parachutes (grown-ups, too)!

If You’re Happy and You Know It
lift it high / go way down low / shake it fast / shake it slow / jump up and down! 

Some of my other favorite songs to use:

POP! Goes the Berry

(Begin by walking slowly in a circle with the parachute)

All Around the Strawberry Field

We picked some juicy berries

We took them home and washed them off

and POP! Goes the berries! (lift it way up!)

Other verses: Blueberry/huckleberry/raspberry/blackberry

Popcorn Kernels (Tune of Frere Jacques)  
Popcorn kernels  (x2) - slow shake
In the pot (x2) - slow shake
Shake them shake them shake them! (x2) - fast shake
'till they POP! (x2) - lift up high 

The Hot Dog Song 

5 little hot dogs frying in a pan, (fast shake)

The grease got hot and one went bam (lift way up high)

(Continue singing, counting down each time you go through the song 4,3,2,1)

No little hot dogs frying in a pan, 

The grease got hot and the pan went bam.  

These Are the Colors Over You (Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle)
(Slow shake for entire song, help children point out colors as you sing)
Red and green and yellow and blue, these are the colors over you.
Red like an apple and green like a tree, yellow like the sun and blue like the sea. 
Red and green and yellow and blue, these are the colors over you.  

The Elevator Song

Oh the city is great (lift up)

and the city is grand (down)

There's a whole lot of people (up)

on a little piece of land (down)

And we live way up (up)

on the 57th floor (down)

and this is what we do (up)

when we go out the door. (down)

We take the elevator up (up)

and the elevator down, (down)

take the elevator up, (up)

take the elevator down (down)

Take the elevator up (up)

and the elevator down (down)

and we turn around. (turn around!) 

What Are the Kids Doing? 
I've experimented many time with having all the children out from underneath holding onto the chute, and then just letting them do whatever they feel comfortable with. Obviously the latter has worked best, and everyone is happiest. 
For children who want to hang onto the parachute, that's great, it really does help develop those fine motor skills by building their little hand muscles. But if a child really loves lying down or walking around under the parachute, I'm not going to stop their fun! 

What's So Scary?
I will say, every now and then I have a kicker (lays under the parachute with feet up and kicks), a non-sharer or the handle (grabby hands!), or a scared little one. But you know what? That's why I have caregivers in the room. Most caregivers are right on the problem, and it only lasts a few seconds. Then it's back to the fun!

Closing: Peek-a-boo!
At the very end, we play peek-a-boo with the parachute. This is the only time I really encourage children to go under and lay down (facing up) underneath. One way to encourage participation at this point is to tell caregivers that their child can lay down right in front of them if they are feeling scared to go all the way underneath. 

However, some children will not want to go underneath at all. That is fine. Just let it be! Maybe they'll join in on the fun once you start and they see how much fun it is to be lying down underneath. Or they'll just walk around the perimeter of the room watching. However they want to experience the parachute, no worries and no pressure!

We lower it down gently, and then lift it way up high saying in a sing-songy voice "peeeeek-ahhh-booooo!" and then repeat about ten times. The last three times, I count down, "Three more times! Ok now, two more times! One last time!" And then at that point, everyone has prepared themselves to say goodbye to the parachute. I don't sing a goodbye song to the parachute, because I find that everyone is perfectly fine with putting it away -- perhaps the counting down? They do know bubbles are around the corner, so maybe that's it! 

Library/Reading - Toddler Storytime

Hello Song: Hello Bubbles
Note: See this post for the lyrics and to learn more about the bubble machine.

Song 1: The More We Read Together (to the tune of "The More We Get Together)

The More We Read Together…
the happier we’ll be!
With big books and small books
and short books and tall books,
the more we read together,
the happier we’ll be!

Book 1: Books for Me by Sue Fliess 

Note: This is a fun book about visiting the library and all of the different kinds of books you can find! However, for my toddlers, there were a few things that might have gone over their heads, so I did paper-clip a few pages mid-book. 

Remembering Rhymes 
(Note: See this post for lyrics and to learn more about "Rhyme Time")

• Roly Poly
• Open Shut Them
• Wind Up the Bobbin’

Book 2: Otto the Book Bear by Katie Cleminson

Stretchers: 
Wiggle and Wiggle and Stop
Wiggle Your Fingers Way Up High
Everybody Take a Seat on the Floor

Flannel: Dog’s Colorful Day by Emma Dodd

Parachute Songs:

• If You’re Happy and You Know It Shake it (Slow/Fast, Quiet/Loud Up/Down)
• The Elevator Song
• Bubble Bubble Pop
• Peek-a-boo

Goodbye Song: Bread Butter Marmalade and Jam

End: Goodbye Bubbles w/ bubble machine (2-3 min) + free play w/ toys (~20-30 min)

Manners - Toddler Storytime

Hello Bubbles Opening Song

Song: Chewing Quietly (Tune: Frere Jacques)
(Chewing Quietly (x2) Do no burp (x2) We must say excuse me (x2) When we burp (x2)

Book: Excuse Me! by Karen Katz

Note: This book pairs well with the "Chewing Quietly" song we sang prior. It's a cute little board book that contains simple concepts, which are easy enough for toddlers to grasp.

Song: Roly Poly

Roly poly, roly poly
Up, up, up (lift hands up)
up, up, up
Roly roly poly
roly roly poly
down, down, down (push hands down)
down, down, down 

Other verses: Out, In (expand hands out, push hands in)
Fast, Slow (roll hands fast, slow)

Song: 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
Creep them, crawl them
Creep them, crawl them
Right up to your chin
Open wide your little mouth...
But do not let them in.

Flannel Activity: Thanks A Lot! (Raffi)
Note: I probably won't do this again... it's a sweet song (and I rarely play recorded music, so I tried it with and without) but it doesn't make a difference - it's still too slow! I think my group got bored with this one.

Stretcher: Wiggle and Wiggle and Stop
Stretcher: Wiggle Your Hands Way up High

POP! Goes the Berry (with parachute)
All Around the Strawberry Field
We picked some juicy berries
We took them home and washed them off
and POP! Goes the berries!
Other verses: Blueberry/huckleberry/raspberry/blackberry

Goodbye Song: Bread Butter Marmalade and Jam

End: Playtime w/ bubbles (~2-3 min) + Free play w/ toys (~20-30 min)

How it went:
This was a break-through storytime for me, because I introduced 2 really amazing, fun props: the bubble machine and the parachute! I was really happy with everyone's response and participation; both props really added a lot of movement and play to storytime that the toddlers loved!

Because this was another one of those "meh" themes ('cause toddlers' concept of manners is minimal to zilch), I only used 1 book and 1 song on theme. The rest was just free-play, free-style. Hence the random rhymes and introduction of props. Lots of fun during this week. Hooray!

Stars & Moon - Toddler Storytime

Hello Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Book: Zoom Rocket Zoom by Margaret Mayo 

Song: Zoom Zoom Zoom / Fun / Sun

Zoom Zoom Zoom
Zoom, zoom, zoom (swoosh your arms together)
We're going to the moon.
Zoom, zoom, zoom (swoosh your arms together)
We're going to the moon.
If you want to take a trip
climb aboard my rocket ship. (make an “L” shape with one arm and then with your fingers make a little “astronaut” climb aboard)
Zoom, zoom, zoom (swoosh your arms together)
We're going to the moon.
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (countdown on hand)
Blast off! (jump up in air) 

Other verses: Far far far, we’re going to the stars / Fun fun fun, we’re going to the sun

Song: If You’re Going to the Moon… (Tune: If You're Happy and You Know It)

If you're going to the moon wear your boots x3 (stomp)
If you're going to the moon, this is what you have to do
If you're going to the moon wear your boots (stomp)

Other verses: wear your helmet (pretend to put helmet on), wear your gloves (pretend to put gloves on), wear your space suit ("jump" into your suit)

Wiggle Release: Wiggle and Wiggle and Stop
Wiggle Release: Wave your hands way up high...

Book/Song: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Jane Cabrera 

*with wand*

Song: We’ll Be Landing on the Moon (Tune: She’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain)

We'll be orbiting around the moon, yes we will (arms in circle, twirl slowly)
We'll be orbiting around the moon, yes we will
We'll be orbiting around the moon x3
Yes we will 

Other verses:
We'll be landing on the Moon (wiggle fingers down to toes)
We'll be walking on the Moon (stomping)
We'll be blasting off again (jump up with hands in air)
We'll be landing back on Earth (wiggle fingers down to toes)

Activity: Five Crescent Moons Rhyme w/ Magnet Board

Book: Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle

Goodbye Song: Bread Butter Marmalade and Jam

Health - Toddler Storytime

Hello Song - Clap and Sing Hello

Book: Germs Are Not for Sharing by Elizabeth Verdick

Note: For this age group, there isn't a ton of stuff you can really talk about with germs and hygiene, besides washing up! This is a cute, simple board book that is perfect for this theme.

Song: This is the way we…

This is the way we wash our hands
wash our hands, wash our hands
This is the way we wash our hands
So early in the morning!
hands / hair / teeth / toes / belly / brush our teeth / comb our hair (pretend to scrub each body part as you get to it in the song)

Song: Head Shoulders Knees and Toes
Note: Post-doctor bag activity, we were on a roll talking about the body, so this little number fit right in and flowed nicely into our stretchers below.

Stretchers:
Wiggle and Wiggle and Stop
Wiggle your hands ways up high...

Book: Llama Llama Home With Mama by Anna Dewdney

Activity: Looking inside the Doctor Bag

Note: I basically just had a play kit doctor bag, and we looked inside together, talking about the different kinds of tools doctors use.

Song: Pop! Go the Berries

All around the strawberry fields, We picked some juicy berries
We brought them home and washed them off,
Pop! Go the berries! (have kids jump up on "pop")
Other verses: blueberry, blackberry, huckleberry, raspberry

Note: For this tune, I have everyone crouch down on the floor in little balls (the "berries) and then I creep around and sing the tune. When I say "POP!" everyone jumps up! Also a good song for using with a parachute.

Book: Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Note: Since we were talking about health/being sick, I figured this was a good classic to throw in there (plus we have the gorgeous pop-up version). The caterpillar eats a lot of bad food and gets a belly ache, but then feels better when he eats through that one green leaf!

Goodbye Song - Bread Butter Marmalade and Jam

Bedtime - Toddler Storytime

I don't always get to pick the themes for Toddler Time, which is fine, but sometimes you get something that you wouldn't normally do yourself. For example, bedtime stories in the morning! It was fun to do, but can seem a bit counter-intuitive. But I went with the flow...

Hello Song: Clap and Sing Hello!

Give Me 5!

Book: Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed? by Barney Saltzberg

Song: Skidamarink

Skidamarink a-dink, a-dink, Skidamarink a-doo, I love you. (2x) I love you in the morning, And in the afternoon;
I love you in the evening,underneath the moon. Oh, skidamarink a-dink, a-dink, Skidamarink a-doo, I love you!

Activity: Day or night? Matching Activity (do not hand out pictures)
Note: For this magnet activity, I printed out pictures of activities that people do in the daytime and nighttime, as well as pictures of the sun, moon, clouds, stars, etc. In other words, pictures that allow children to easily identify it as day or night. I made sure to laminate these pictures.
I put the pictures up on the board one at a time and we talked about what is in the picture, what's going on, etc. Then, we came to a consensus and put the picture under the right heading on the board. The "headings" were just big laminated pieces of paper that said "day" and "night" on each and had sun/blue sky and moon/dark sky with stars. There were pieces of velcro on the pictures and the day/night sheets that I could stick the pictures to.
It's so hard to describe, I'll eventually have to take a picture of this activity!

Stretcher: Wiggle and Wiggle and Stop!
Stretcher: Wiggle your fingers way up high…

Song: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (with wand)

Book: Goodnight, Sweet Butterflies by Dawn Bentley 

Activity: Five in a Bed (Felt)

5 in the bed and the little one said "roll over, roll over!"So they all rolled over and one fell out! Then there were...5 in a bed and the little one said...

Closing Song: Bread Butter Marmalade and Jam

How it went: Overall, everything went fairly smoothly. My favorite is just singing Skidamarink several times. Everyone loves this tune, especially the grown-ups because the little ones do the fingerplays so lovingly!

Penguins - Toddler Storytime

Hello!
I've been doing a terrible job at keeping up this blog. And for that I'm so sorry! I'm now starting to post some of my Toddler Time (Toddler Storytimes) starting from January 2016. I'd like to start keeping track of what worked, and what didn't, and how I've changed/progressed in content over the last few months.

Toddler Time is on Monday mornings and Thursday mornings, from 10:00-10:30 am. After storytime, I turn on some music, bring out some special toys, and everyone stays in the storytime room until ~11:00 am and plays! This is a great socialization time for both children and caregivers, alike.

I know everyone who does storytimes has their own unique style -- what works for them, based on how their brain works! For me, instead of throwing together a bunch of songs and stories and doing them in random order, I prefer to list everything out chronologically and try to follow order. Of course, there are ALWAYS days when I cut out a book or song, for time-sake or just based on the kind of mood the Toddlers are in that day.

This was my first Toddler Time of the new year. I remember at one point I froze and forgot the lyrics to one of the songs, but that's alright with me. As long as you're having fun, the kids don't care, and somehow I've managed to completely look past any judgement grown-ups may pass (but then again, the grown-ups in my groups are great and so understanding about anything that may go awry!)

PENGUINS

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello -- Clap, Stomp, Jump, Twirl

Give Me 5
(This is how we get ready to hear a story together! I usually just do this once in the beginning with the first book, it really helps to center everyone and let them know the expectations for their behavior when I'm reading the book - although I'd never throw anyone out for disobeying these rules - it's just a good prep!)

1. Eyes will be watching the story (make goggles for your eyes with your hands)
2. Where are your ears? Ears will be listening to the story (cup your ears)
3. Where is your mouth? Voices will be quiet (say shhh and hold your pointer finger to your mouth)
4. We'll have calm bodies (give yourself a little hug)
5. And last, most importantly, we'll have caring hearts for our neighbors (put your hands on your heart)

Book: Penguins, Penguins Everywhere! by Bob Barner

Rhyme: I’m a Little Penguin

I'm a little penguin black and white, (waddle)
I waddle to the left and I waddle to the right. (hold up hands left and right)
I cannot fly but I can swim, so I waddle to the water (waddle)
and jump right in! (jump) 

I'm a little penguin short & round (crouch down and make a circle with your arms)
Swimming in the sea is where I'm found. (swimming motions)
Eating lots of fish day and night, (mimic eating)
Wobbling around I'm a silly sight. (wobbling)

Activity: Penguin Scarf Color Matching

Stretcher: Wiggle and Wiggle and Stop
Stretcher: Wiggle Your Fingers

Book: If You Were a Penguin by Wendell and Florence Minor

Song: Penguins Waddle *use magnet board*
[Say: With this song, we’re going to be counting up!]

Penguins go waddling 1 by 1, Hurrah, Hurrah!
Penguins go waddling 1 by 1, Hurrah, Hurrah!
They only stop to take a swim
and when they're done, they waddle again.
The penguins waddle around, around and round.

Song: Five Little Penguins *use magnet board*
[Say: With this song, we’re going to be counting down!]

(Five) Little penguins standing in a row (five fingers)
(Five) Little penguins standing in the snow
Brrrr, it’s cold! I cannot stay! (hug self and shiver)
And one little penguin waddled away (waddle in place)

Closing Song: Bread Butter Marmalade and Jam

How it went: 
I don't know if it is just my groups, or if this is true at other libraries' storytimes too, but I always have a hard time getting toddlers to do felt/magnet activities. With this age, it can quickly turn to chaos with toddlers waddling up to the board to put their piece up before it's their turn, or to pull down other pieces off the board when they're not supposed to.
I don't expect an 18 month old to understand the concept of this activity, but with a caregiver's help I believe it is possible. So, the penguin scarf matching activity really only worked well with my smaller group. With the bigger group, there was too much commotion for everyone to understand what was going on.
However, in this storytime I just put the pieces up on the board as we counted penguins up and down. With the bigger and hard to control group, wandering toddlers came up and ripped the penguins off. Unfortunately I can't always count on caregivers to help control this. So, I will be brainstorming better ways to use the felt and magnet boards in future Toddler Times!