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Writer's pictureMrs. Deborah Fagnan

Valentines

February Toddler Storytime: Valentines

Updated: Dec 1, 2018

Introduction: This Storytime is developed specially for children two and three years old and their caregivers. Enjoy 45 minutes of books, songs, rhymes, fingerplays, socialization, and a craft with other young children and their caregivers. Each session of toddler storytime consists of a variety of activities that incorporate reading, writing, singing, talking, and playing. Date: Every Wednesday

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Age Range: 2 to 3 years old

Skills Supported: Print conventions and awareness, motor skills, visual tracking skills, and socialization.

Frequency: Weekly

Attendance: 20 children and their parent/caregiver

Staff or Volunteer Needed: 1 staff member, 1 volunteer

Format: Registration is required. No drop-in patrons are refused.

Budget: $21.00

Supplies:

  • 12 x 18 Red Construction Paper

  • Glue Sticks

  • Stickers and Associated Valentines Foam Pieces etc. $15.00

  • Hole Puncher

  • White Ribbon

  • Black Sharpie

  • Various colors of felt squares: $6.00

Books Shared: (from storytime)

  • Foxy in Love by Emma Dodd

  • Valentine's Day by Trudi Strain Trueit

Other Books to Display on Book Cart at Storytime:


  • Bear in Love by Lauren Thompson

  • I Love You! A Bushel & A Peck by Rosemary Wells

  • A Kiss Like This by Mary Murphy

  • Lilly's Chocolate Heart by Kevin Henkes

  • Mouse's first valentine by Lauren Thompson

  • The Pete Cat's Groovy Guide to Love by Kimberly and James Dean

  • Sweet Hearts by Jan Carr

  • Valentine surprise by Corinne Demas

Storytime Preparation:


 

Storytime Introduction: Welcome to Toddler Storytime. My name is Ms. Debbie. I am so glad to see you today. Our storytime is designed to be participated by everyone. We will share books, rhymes, and songs with your children. We encourage everyone to participate, but no worries if this doesn't happen. Sometimes when a child sees you participate, they might join in, but if your child is not in the mood, that is okay too. Our storytime can tend to be a little chaotic, but that is okay as well. If your child becomes disruptive, please take them outside the program room and then join us again when your child has settled down. This is normal, it is part of the process. So let's start with our opening song.


2. Opening Song:


(Credit: No Time For Flash Cards. 2016, January 30).


Lyrics:


How Many Friends are Here Today

How many friends are here today?

How many friends are here today

Let's count it out!

Let's clap it out!

Let's dance it out!

There are ______ friends on their feet!

Now it's time to take your seat!

3. Early Literacy Aside: Explain:


Today's early literacy skill is focusing on print awareness, or helping your children understand that print has meaning, one of the skills researchers say help kids get ready to read.


4. Theme Talk:


Today our storytime is about Valentine's Day. Can anyone tell me what Valentine's Day is? I am going to read some books about this fun day.


5. Action Song:


Row, row, row your boat Gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream.

(Childhood)


6. Information Book:


Valentine's Day by Trudi Strain Trueit







(Image: Goodreads, n.d.)




7. Shakers Shaker Song


Sung to the tune of “London Bridge


Shake your shakers, shake, shake, shake,

Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

Shake your shakers, shake, shake, shake,

Shake your shakers!


Other Verses:


Shake your shakers high, high, high,

Shake your shakers low, low, low,

Shake your shakers fast, fast, fast,

Shake your shakers slow, slow, slow"


(Mulvenna, L. (2013, January 17)

8. Early Literacy: Example


Today when we make our craft, you will ask your child to write something in their card. Including scribbling, is one way to develop print awareness. Encourage your child to "read" to you what they wrote. This helps to reinforce that writing and printing have meaning, which is something children need to know to be ready to read (Ghoting & Martin-Diaz, 2013, p. 217). If you cannot stay for our craft today, Ms. Peggy will give you the supplies to make this craft at home.

9. Movement Activity:


(As I recite the rhyme, children and their parents will do the action)


Valentine, Valentine


Lyrics:


Valentine, Valentine run in place.

Valentine, Valentine touch your face.

Valentine, Valentine turn around.

Valentine, Valentine touch the ground.

Valentine, Valentine touch your nose.

Valentine, Valentine touch your toes.

Valentine, Valentine jump and hop.

Valentine, Valentine time to stop!

Valentine, Valentine pat your knees.

Valentine, Valentine sit down please.


(Literacy Hoots, 2015, February 11)


10. Book: Foxy in Love by Emma Dodd


(Credit: Image: Goodreads, n.d.)




11. Song:


The More We Read Together [Tune: "The More We Get Together" ]


Lyrics:


The more we read together, together, together.

The more we read together, the better it is!

'Cause reading and singing and talking together,

is how you learn the six skills for reading by six.


(Johnson County Library, 2011, February 8).


12. Felt board:


  • Using the template that can be found on the Parent/Caregiver Resource Pathfinder page, cut out different color hearts.

  • Glue sand paper to the back of each heart.

  • With the help of the child's parents, call up different color hearts and have children place them on the felt board.

(Image: Fagnan, 2018, October)


13. Early Literacy Aside: Empower


In today's activity, you and your child will make a valentine's card. Children can learn the connection between the written and spoken word, print awareness, with this activity. Have your child tell you what he/she wants to say in the card. Write that message in the card. Then you can re-read what they said. This will help your child begin to make this connection. (Ghoting & Martin-Diaz, 2013, p. 217).


14. Storytime Activity:


(L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, 2014, September 28).

Goodbye Bubbles:


(Librarian/staff associate will blow bubbles while the parents/caregiver and children sing the song.


Lyrics:


Goodbye Bubbles

Goodbye Bubbles

Time to Go

Time to Go

I will help you

I will help you

With a blow

With a blow


15. Storytime Activity:

Who will be your valentine? Parents and their child will work together to make a valentine's card. Who will be your valentine? Parents and their child will work together to make a valentine's card.



  • Ms. Peggy will hand out a 12" x 18" red piece of construction paper.

  • Fold it in half to make a card.

  • Inside have your child help you glue a white paper doily in the center.

  • Ask your child what they would like to say inside the card and write it.

  • Have your child use the stickers and other craft material we have put on the tables. Use the whole punch to punch a hole in the left top corner and tie a ribbon in the hole.

  • Encourage your child to write something inside the card, scribbling is a great way to learn how to hold a crayon. It is one of the first steps in learning to write.

16. Takeaway:


Parents/caregivers are given the Early Literacy Newsletter for Toddlers. A copy can be found on the Parent/caregiver Resource pathfinder page.


References:

Fagnan, D. (2018, October). Valentine Felt Board. [Digital Image].

Ghoting, S.N., & Martin-Diaz, P. (2013). Storytimes for everyone!. Chicago, IL: ALA

Goodreads. (n.d). Foxy in Love. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17349054-foxy-in-love

Goodreads. (n.d.) Valentine's Day. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1126581.Valentine_s_Day

L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library. (2014, September 28). Goodbye bubbles. [Video]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/RXXQqVx0gT0

Literacy Hoots: The adventures and book raves or a children's librarian. (2015, February 11). V is for valentines storytime [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.literaryhoots.com/2015/02/v-is-for-valentine-storytime.html

Johnson County Library. (2011, February 8). Love and Valentines Day Storytime. [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://www.jocolibrary.org/kids/storytime-blog/love-and-valentines-day-preschool-storytime

Mulvenna, L. (2013, January 17). Shake Shake Shake [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://lisaslibraryland.blogspot.com/2013/07/shake-shake-shake.html

No Time For Flash Cards. (2016, January 30). Circle Time Chant. [Video]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/ECHXNMFVumM


 

Family Storytime Kit




















Directions:



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