Here are a collection of books I've used in toddler storytimes.
Saturday, December 05, 2020
Friday, December 04, 2020
I Love Me! A Storytime all About Self-Confidence
Reading
- I Love Me! by LaRonda Gardner Middlemiss (at the suggestion of my colleague Emily C., I have the children repeat the same refrain, "I Love Me!" and hug themselves as it repeats throughout the story)
- Only a Tree Knows How to Be a Tree by Mary Murphy
Singing
We talked about all of the parts of us that we love, now let's sing a song about those parts, too! From our shoulders to our bellies, we love our whole selves.
Egg Shakers Up
Egg Shakers up
Egg shakers down
egg shakers dancing all around the town
Dance them on your shoulders
Dance them on your head
Dance them on your belly
and then tuck them into bed!
Group Activity
At the start of storytime, I ask the grown-ups viewing with the children to ask their child "what is one thing you love about yourself?" I tell them, "If your child is having a hard time answering, you can model. For example, say, 'I love my eyes because they are green, and that is a fun color!' You can also tell your child something you love about them, such as, 'I love the way you sing! Your voice is my favorite sound!'"
Then, I have the parents type what their child said they love about themselves (could also be what you they loved, if child does not answer). At the end of storytime, I read them all aloud for everyone to hear!
Extension Activity
You have so many opportunities throughout the day to help your child boost their self-confidence. One way you can do this may be unexpected -- and that's through your child's artwork! Does you toddler ever bring you a picture they made (scribbles? unrecognizable marks? all the paint colors mixed together?), looking for your praise? Help your child build a growth mindset with these tips from Sunny Seed Co.:
1. Rather than saying "good job," make neutral observations and praise your child's effort.
Studies show that children who are praised for specific effort show more creativity and intrinsic motivation whereas hearing "good job" or "you're so smart" limits a child's effort, perseverance, creativity, and risk-taking. A child who constantly hears "good job" learns to seek approval and validation from others.
2. Ask your child to tell you what their picture is about! Here are some talking points:
- Make observations, such as, "I see you used a lot of blues and greens."
- Ask questions, instead of guessing, such as, "Can you tell me about this?" and "how did you make this part?"
- "Wow, I can tell you worked hard on this!" and "You were very focused!" both praise effort.
Monday, November 23, 2020
Being Little in the Time of COVID-19: A Special Storytime
Being Little in the Time of COVID-19 is a special storytime that I designed to provide a gentle opportunity to talk to children about all things COVID-19: keeping germs to ourselves, wearing a mask, social distancing, not seeing loved ones and friends, and other activities we cannot do the same these days.
So often as adults our first instinct is to shelter children from the hard and scary things of this world, but that is doing them a huge disservice. Children deserve our full respect, and one of the best ways to respect children is by being honest with them in a developmentally-appropriate manner.
For some parents and caregivers who attended, this was a perfect way to bring up this subject with their children. I did advise that grown-ups viewed this storytime with their children, due to the subject manner. Afterwards, I received positive feedback from patrons who appreciated the storytime and opportunity to talk to their children about COVID-19.
1. We started off reading Germs are Not for Sharing by Elizabeth Verdick. This was a nice way to open storytime, because it is important for children to understand where our germs come from, that we all have germs, and that they're not inherently bad, but that we should not share them with others.
2. In Germs are Not for Sharing, there is mention of singing a song while you wash your hands. So, we pretended to wash our hands while singing the Alphabet song.
3. Next, we read the ebook Doing My Part by Marta Drew. This is a fantastic ebook published by Montessori Material company Lovevery. The book features real photographs of a diverse family. Centered around a little girl, it shows her perspective on how hard it is to do things like stay socially distant from her grandparents. The repeating "Doing My Part" drives home the idea that by wearing masks and practicing other safe behavior during the pandemic, children are included a part of a larger effort to keep everyone safe!
4. Montessori Assistant on Facebook has a wonderful song called "Even With My Mask On" which you can watch here. We sang this a few times through, without my mask, with my mask on, and once through changing the lyrics to "even with my face shield." Some kids even had their masks handy and put it on for this song, which was adorable.
5. The last short, but sweet, ebook that we read was Rainbows in Windows by Yumi. It gave us the opportunity to end storytime on a positive, uplifting note!
6. We sang one last song called "I've Got My Mask On," also written and sung by Montessori Assistant on Facebook. You can watch here.
Extending the Conversation at Home
After storytime, I sent home this email to parents and caregivers with further resources:
If you are struggling, I see you.
I am right here with you.
Young child are not meant to sit behind a screen all day.
Grown-ups aren’t either.
You cannot fix this for your child.
You can sit with them in their hard feelings, and validate them.
-The Workspace for Children
The best advice I can give you, when talking with your child about this virus, is to sit with them in their hard feelings, and validate them. Here are some talking points:
- You really miss your friends (your teachers, your grandparents, etc.) I know that.
- This is really hard.
- I am right here with you.
- I am listening.
- Being on a computer can be so frustrating.
When your child feels scared or sad, let them explore those feelings. Help them understand it is completely normal to feel that way. Get on eye level and pause to listen to their feelings.
Here are some talking points to help your children accept themselves, including all of their feelings. The world will be a better place because of it!
- Do you want to tell me about it?
- I hear you. You feel scared because...
- I’m here and I love you.
- What would help you feel safe?
- Let’s take some brave breaths.
- Instead of “You’re okay,” or “You’re fine,” try “I know this is scary for you. I get scared too sometimes. Let’s problem solve together.”
- My arms are open.
- I can see how sad you are feeling...
- Sharing all of your feelings is so important.
- I am right here with you.
- I’m listening.
- Tell me more about what’s going on.
Further Resources
- CDC’s Recommendations on Mask Wearing: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html
- More eBooks about COVID-19: https://nycdoe.libguides.com/COVID-19ebooks/free
Grown-ups, I will leave you with one final thought to mediate on:
You are making the best decisions that you can right now. There is no perfect solution. You are enough for your child right now and always.
- The Work Space for Children
Be well. Stay safe. Take care of your hearts and minds. Big hugs.
Ms. April
Edit 12/4/2020:
Sunday, November 22, 2020
Machines & Cleaning Up
Reading
Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman & David Clemsha
Wheels at Work: Construction by Cocoretto
Highlights: Hello! (September 2020)
Singing
The Construction Vehicle Song by Ms. April
(Sung to the tune of Frère Jacques)
Excavator, Excavator
Bulldozer, Bulldozer
Empty out the dump truck
Empty out the dump truck
Steamroller, Steamroller
Extension Activity (email to parents/caregivers)