I have compiled the answers below. The book _Family Storytime_ by Rob Reid was mentioned multiple times-- I definitely plan on getting my hands on a copy!
:'), Martha-Lynn Corner Grandview Heights Public Library Columbus, OH Youth Services Department http://www.ghpl.org
Our library does a family time. We generally get the same ages of children, although they tend to come in mixed sets (during the week, we generally get kids coming while big sibling in in preschool, kindergarten, gymnastics lesson, playdate etc.) Occasionally we get a first or second grade sibling and lots of time they "disappear" quickly.
We do the same format, except the craft might be a little more detailed. Hope that helps.
Susan Dooley Reference Librarian Wm. T. Cozby Library Coppell, TX 75019 sdooley at ci.coppell.tx.us 972.304.3657
Hi, We do a Family Storytime at our public library on Thursday evenings. We are a rural community of about 4,000 population. I have been doing the Family Storytime for two years. We run it during the school year, every Thursday evening, except over Christmas/Winter Holiday, in which we take a couple of weeks to a month break, and then start up again. It begins at 6:45 and ends approximately 7:10ish. Children and their families then usually select books and/or videos to check out together after the storytime is over. I have not done a Toddler Time or Preschool Storytime other than the Family Storytime here at the library, aside from, of course, the storytimes we do for the Summer Reading Program. (I am, however, a certified elementary teacher, and taughter kindergarten and second grade before getting married and moving to this new area a couple of years ago.) For my Thursday evening Family Storytime, the agenda usually includes three or four books, depending on length and subjec t matter. Then we usually do a fingerplay, a song, a flannel story, a movement dance, a puppet, etc. in between each book. What I pick each week depends on what resources I have available, what the kids have been liking recently (but they like everything), and what I feel like doing. We do not do a craft during this storytime. This year we have had the kids put their name in for a door prize drawing each week, and we give away some items which have been donated by local merchants or we have purchased, such as a stuffed animal, a video, etc. Once, maybe twice a year, we will give each child a paperback picture book for them to take home and keep. We order these through the local school teacher's classroom Scholastic order. They are more inexpensive, and it helps the teacher out too. Every Thursday night, we end our Family Storytime singing the same song, "The More We Get Together". The ages we gear it toward -- well, we just say "Family Storytime". The oldest child I have had re gularly attend was in first grade; 99% of the rest have been kindergarten and younger. The youngest I've had was probably about 2 years of age. We do ask a parent(s) to stay, and the little ones sometimes sit on their laps. If they get to a place where they are bored and starting to act up the parents have been pretty good at taking them out of the room, some better than others, but it has not been too much of an issue. We have had, what we consider, a really good turnout this year. Consistently we are seeing about a dozen kids or more each week; we have had up to 20 kids, which, for our space, is quite a few. Last year, I would have 3 or 4 or 5 kids, sometimes none. So, we are really, really happy with this year. Something we attribute the good consistent numbers is that we had gone with a nearby PBS television station and gotten a Clifford the Big Red Dog outfit to use as promotion for our kickoff Family Storytime. It was AMAZING! We did a lot of promotion, flyers, local radi o, newspaper, notes home with all of the school kids in the town, etc. We had well over 180 kids and adults in our Children's Department. We were able to get many of those kids to return weekly, kids we hadn't seen the previous year. We were tickled.
You really must get Rob Reid's book:Family Storytimes published by ALA. It answers all your questions. I hope you have a better turn out than I have had--very disappointing. Working parents asked for it, then didn't come. One thing that did work well as an activity was to tape butcher paper to the wall and have everyone draw something at the end. Good luck, Suzanne Hall Children's Librarian Putnam County Public Library Greencastle, IN 46135
If you are interested in using music in a family storytime, I recommend this book: Reid, Rob. (1995) Children's Jukebox: A subject guide to musical recordings and programming ideas for songsters ages one to twelve. American Library Association: Chicago. Mona Gilbert
Are you going to stick with picture books or are you thinking more in terms of chapter books or a combination?
When I tried this, I geared the stories to K-2nd grade, so I used mostly picture books and some of the longer ones if they fit the theme. With each theme, I did have a few books pulled for the younger set so I could adjust for my audience as needed.
I love music! In fact, most of my fingerplays (though not all), I'll put to music if I can find a tune that fits. Since I use a lot of "standard" songs (or piggyback standards) for story and toddler times, I usually used things I already had. I did usually add a recorded song with lots of action (to get wiggles out though it often put wiggles in!). That introduces them to some of the other media we have in the Library, and we've got some great kid cds that often get overlooked because folks don't think about them!
I did like to include different ways of telling stories: draw and tell, cut and tell, puppets, etc. Becasue I'm a little stubborn, though, I don't use videos--they get enough of those at home! (Not that I haven't thrown one in on occasion for a special program--there really are some very good ones out there!) Call me hypocritical as it would, as with the tape/CD, introduce them to other media.
I did include a craft (the hardest part for me as I'm not a "crafty" person though I wish I was!), but those I kept fairly simple as some of the families I thought might be attending (and was somewhat correct) had 3-4 kids, the majority of which were preschoolers.
If I were to restart program, I probably would include a chapter book and read a chapter or two each session, hoping folks would want to come back to hear more! That would be easy enough to do while the kids are doing the craft.
Hope this helps! Beverly Kirkendall Hurst Public Library Hurst, TX
Here comes some grousing, so don't read any further unless you want to hear my mini-tantrum! Hope yours goes better than mine..... As much as folks begged (and continue to do so) for Saturday programming, I was lucky to get 1-2 families, and several times had no one. Now there was a time or two (but ONLY a couple of times!) that I had over 20 folks--kids and adults together. Once, after 15 minutes with nobody, I packed up. As I was walking out the door (at least 20 minutes after the scheduled start time), a family came in wanting the stories! I did it, of course, but (I'm a little sorry I did this as it's not very nice) ended at the time it was scheduled to be over, not doing the full 45 minute program I had planned.... I do like to think my time is valuable, though, and coming almost half-way into a program and expecting the full thing (though they didn't complain about what they heard and did)--just try doing that at a movie theater!
To make a long story not quite so long (which is good for me as I usually make a short story long, and a long story War and Peace!), after about 18 months, I discontinued the program. And folks (who never attended, I might add, but were around when I offered it) wondered why and asked me about it!
I have done family storytime in the past and found that it's not as hard as you might think. Most times I found that the siblings behaved well. You can have the parents stay or not. Sometimes a short video is nice, especially if you don't normally use them. Try to do open-ended crafts--don't worry, the older kids will find ways to re-interpret the craft. Have fun! ---Teresa LaMorte Youth Services Half Hollow Hills Community Library Dix Hills, NY
I do a familytime along with our preschool storytimes and toddlertimes. The familytime I do is completely different than the storytimes because I only read 1 story and then we usually do 3-4 crafts or activities. I have had ages from 1 year old to 11. I plan the crafts to be able to be done by preschoolers with parent help. Parent's are required to stay in the program no matter the age of the child. Our most favorite crafts have been slime, ice cream in a bag, and t-shirt painting. I would be happy to send you some of the directions that I have done if you are interested. Amy Buskey buskeyam at oplin.org Youth Services Union Township Branch Library Clermont County, Ohio
I led family storytime at the Reynoldsburg branch of CML for more than a year. I relied heavily upon Jim Gill music as well as "Songs for Wiggleworms" for short and energetic numbers. I usually started by asking the kids to look at the display books and any props (puppets, umbrella, etc.) and think about what we will be sharing songs and stories about today.
I then started with a story, next (usually) "Jumping and Counting" by Jim Gill to get the blood going, then maybe a flannel (I also usually had the kids participate: taking flannel pieces off or on by my cue), fingerplay (not as many of these as you are used to). I stayed somewhat flexible, though I usually interspersed a song between stories (flannel, book, fingerplay).
One time I had the kids act out "The 3 Pigs", I changed it a bit (happier ending for the wolf), and they and I had a blast.
Sources: "I'm a Little Teapot", and Flannel Board books by Judy Sierra.
Il used counting out loud during stories and many "call and response" as well as the kids repeating out loud any phrase that is repeated in the story. I also let them know this was the only time they were allowed to scream/shout/yell in the library so give it their best shot.
I hope this helps, have a blast!!
Holley Wiseman Teen Services Library Assistant Whetstone branch Columbus Metropolitan Library hwiseman at cml.lib.oh.us
Rob Reid has a book Family Storytime that may help answer some of your questions. As for audience it is all the usual factors time, your community and how you advertise it. Unfortunatley we had to drop our Saturday morning family storytimes because the person who was doing them had her second child and hasn't felt up to picking them up again yet. Here the crowd averaged ages 2-4 for the bulk with some older and younger ones usually siblings. My advice would be if you theme, I always do or I can't narrow my choices down, pull material on the whole age range you advertise for and survey the audience to decide which to use at the time. As usual start with the longest story while the attention is high. Persoanlly I would still keep a regular opening and closing and possibly a mid way strech the same each session because you will get repeaters and they will halp to get the newbies on track if at least some of your audience knows what to expect next. Patrons love the drop in weekend storytimes and I am actually going to call our storytime person know to see if she could begin again in September. Julie Rines
Hi there. If this is new to you and your community, I think I would go overboard and prepare 2 different types of programmes. One is if the only families who show up have little kids, the other is for a programme that has a wide range of ages in it. If you have 8 year olds, they may or may not want to do fingerplays. (Of course, you can always make them feel like big kids by enlisting their help) I usually have some books with a bit of adult humour in it - stuff that will go over the heads of the kids but the adults will get a kick out of. There are also things for older kids that if done visually, will appeal to the younger crowd. Fopr instance, I had a poem about a dog who would eat anything. I photocopied the dog and enlarged it and then made a clear plastic pouch for its stomach. I dropped in all the things it ate, either real (a sock) or a picture of it (a tin can). It worked for all ages. You end up collecting things like that if you have an older crowd for your storytime . Good luck! Sheilah O'Connor Toronto Public LIbrary
We started doing family storytimes 3 years ago and would never go back to all the separate storytimes we used to do (2 yr olds; 3-5 year olds). Families love them and staff has a great time creatively with them. We do lots of audience participation books; music; movement;stretches and fingerplays; storytelling; flannelboards; big books - I always have a "storybag" that I bring out halfway through with a story prop inside that I pull out - grabs 'em everytime. We don't do crafts because so many parents are there with multiple kids (and ages) and trying to do an extra activity would be tough. My bible is Rob Reid's Family Storytime available form ALA books. He inspired my first attempts at this kind of storytime and when the well is running dry I go back to it for renewed inspiration.. Parents love coming just once a week to the library and having all the kids together. it can be chaotic the first few weeks and depending on the age ranges but everyone has a good time and keeps co ming back for more. We love it because we have a chance to talk with parents and "advertise " our services and colections directly to them. We still run a Book Babies for newborns (usually our first time parents) and have added an "Adventure Time" for older preschoolers that replaces a traditional 3-5 yr old storytime - we incorporate a story-extending activity in each session. But by far my favorite is Family Storytime! Hope this helps a little. Marge Loch-Wouters
(The Rob Reid book is) A wonderful resource for storytime programs suitable for the whole family. Some themes are standard, while others are zany, such as "Mouthsounds" (about making sound effects) and "Altered Endings & Twisted Tales." For each of the 24 themes, Reid includes a combination of suggested books, crafts, felt or string stories, fingerplays, movement activities, poems, reader's theater scripts, riddles, songs, and videos. Each program outline is followed by lively annotations and performance suggestions. A final "Mix and Match" section includes alternatives for adapting programs to suit personal style. Reid even makes efforts to engage teenagers and older family members-mainly by enlisting them as performers. The discography and bibliography will help locate resources. A treasure for both public and school librarians.-Robin L. Gibson, Muskingum County Library System, Zanesville, OH Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|
Good luck! Meredith Cowart mcowart at mplonline.org Mobile Public Library Youth Services Mobile, Alabama
Alison, attached is a collection of stuff I use in Pajamarama Time...songs, fingerplays, and stories (I usually do bathtime as well as bedtime). I hope some of it is helpful!
Natasha Forrester, Children's Services Librarian Winfield Public Library 605 College Winfield, KS 67156 (620) 221-4470
Pajama Time Books (bolded items are favorites): Musical Beds JP Ber Bergman Good Night Moon JP Bro Brown Too Many Monsters JP Bun Bunting Sleepytime Rhyme JP Cha Charlip Good Night Sam JP Gay Gay Greetings, Sun JP Ger Gershator Kiss Good Night JP Hes Hest A Bedtime Story JP Lev Levine Never Babysit the Hippopotamuses JP Joh Johnson Bubble Bath Pirates JP Kro Krosoczka "What!" Cried Granny JP Lum Lum The Sound of Day, The Sound of Night JP One O'Neill So Sleepy JP Pas Paschkis Just Dessert JP Pow Powell Squeaky Clean JP Put Puttock Goodnight, Goodnight JP Ric Rice Newton JP Tyg Tyger Clarabella's Teeth JP Vro Vrombaut Captain Pajamas JP Wha Whatley A Cuddle for Claude JP Woj Wojtowycz King Bidgood's in the Bathtub JP Woo Wood Tubtime JP Woo Woodruff How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night JP Yol Yolen No Bath Tonight JP Yol Yolen
Songs: Mama's Sleeping Mama's sleeping, (ssshh motion, pretend to tiptoe) Don't wake her up. Mama's sleeping, Don't wake her up, Mama's sleeping, Don't wake her up, We have to be very quiet.
Wake up, Mama, (bend & lift hands & stand) We wanna play! (dance around and say loudly) Wake up, Mama, We wanna play! Wake up, Mama, We wanna play! We don't have to be quiet! (can also use, daddy, doggie, teddy, etc.)
BEDTIME When bedtime comes I climb the stairs I fold my hands and say my prayers I climb in bed and turn out the light And then I whisper goodnight, goodnight
GO TO SLEEP Go to sleep now Eyes don't peek now Dreaming soon you will be Very good dreams you will see Close your eyes, close them tight So you can sleep through the night
GOING TO BED This little child is going to bed (point to self) So on the pillow he lays his head (head in hands) He wraps himself in a blanket tight (hug yourself) And this is the way he sleeps all night. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!
A BEDTIME SONG ("Up on the Housetop") It is time to go to bed Hop right in! Pull the cover up To your chin. Lay your head down, Snuggle up tight. Close your eyes And say goodnight
Oh, oh, oh! Don't you know? While you sleep Your body grows. When you wake It's a brand new day With lots of time To run and play.
BEING SLEEPY Sometimes I am sleepy (eyes droopy, then closed) I can hardly stay awake (blink eyes several times) I yawn and rub my eyes (rub eyes, big yawn) And give my head a shake! (shake head)
10 in the Bed (little one says "good night!" or little one sings "I've got the whole bed to myself" to the tune of Whole world in his hands)
5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed Star Light, Star Bright Twinkle, Twinkle Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around
Little Bar of Soap Oh, I wish I was a little bar of soap, bar of soap. Oh, I wish I was a little bar of soap, bar of soap. I'd go slidey, slidey slidey over everybody's hidey! Oh, I wish I was a little bar of soap, bar of soap.
This is the Way We Wash our Hands This is the way we wash our hand, Wash our hands, wash our hands. This is the way we wash our hands, Before we go to bed. (also: scrub face, brush teeth, comb our hair)
Skinnamarink Skinnamarink a dink a dink (cup right elbow in left hand and wave right hand) Skinnamrink a doo (cup left elbow in right hand and wave left hand) I love you. (point to self, hug self, point to child)
Skinnamarink a dink a dink Skinnamrink a doo I love you.
I love you in the morning (circle over head for sun) And in the afternoon. (lower circle to chest level) I love you in the evening (lower hands past waist) And underneath the moon. ( raise one arm over head, curved to form crescent moon)
Skinnamarink a dink a dink Skinnamrink a doo I love you.
Fingerplays: After My Bath (modified from I'm a Little Teapot, by Jane Cobb, 1996) After my bath I try, try, try To get myself all dry, dry, dry (drying motions) I dry my shoulders, my elbows, my fingers & toes (touch body parts as mentioned) My two wet legs and my shiny, wet nose. Just think how much less time I'd take (tap head as if thinking) If I were a dog and could shake, shake, shake! (shake all over)
Before I Jump Into Bed (from *Little Teapot) Before I jump into my bed at night, (jump) Before I dim the light, (flip "lightswitch " off) I put my shoes together (hands together) So they can talk all night. (mime hands "talking") I'm sure they would be lonesome If I tossed them here and there (mime tossing) So I put them close together, For their a friendly pair.
This is a Baby Ready for a Nap (from I'm a Little Teapot) This is a baby ready for a nap. (hold up one finger) Lay her down in her mother's lap. (place in palm of other hand) Cover her up so she won't peep. (wrap fingers closed) Rock her til she's fast asleep. (rocking motion with fingers)
My Friends and Family My family and friends (Hold up 5 fingers), They had a busy day (Wiggle fingers), Now they all Are going to bed, (Bend fingers down) And this is what they say: 'Shhhh..." (Finger to lips).
Flannel Boards: The Evening is Coming The evening is coming. The sun sinks to rest. The birds are all flying Straight home to their nests. "Caw, caw, " says the crow as he flies overhead. It's time little children were going to bed.
Here comes the pny. His work is all done. Down through the meadow He takes a good run. Up go his heels, And down goes his head. It's time little children Were going to bed.
A Dark and Story Night
FINGER FROLICS 2 by Liz Cromwell has some bedtime rhymes on pages 13-14. 1001 RHYMES by Totline has rhymes on page 52.
I attached Angie's Microsoft Publisher attachment.
I've attached the bedtime handout I used last spring. When we sang Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, I passed out felt stars to each of the children. At the end of the song, one of the children would come put their star on the board and tell me their wish would be. Very touching and the kids had lots of fun thinking up ideas. Good Luck!
Angie Woodson Children's Librarian Greenwood Public Library
I just did this one today!
We used the following books:
Time for Bed by Mem Fox How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight by Jane Yolen Who Will Tuck Me in Tonight by Carol Roth
We used the following songs/action rhymes:
Ten Little Dinosaurs (one little, two little three little dinosaurs....the little dinosaurs ROAR!) Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star "Before I jump into bed tonight" (Action rhyme) Are You Sleeping?
It went really well. We did the last book with puppets and the kids loved it. I am attaching the text to "Before I Jump into Bed Tonight."
Before I Jump into My Bed
Before I jump into bed at night,
(Jump)
Before I dim the light,
(Switch out light)
I put my shoes together
(Hands together)
So they can talk at night.
(Hands talk)
I'm sure they would be lonesome If I tossed them here and there,
(Toss hands left and right)
So I put them close together,
(Place hands together)
For they are a friendly pair.
If you have any question, please let me know.
Good luck!
Stacey Irish-Keffer Denton Public Library 3020 North Locust Denton, Texas 76209 940.349.8775 Stacey.Irish-Keffer at cityofdenton.com
Hi Alison~ I will be doing a bedtime storytime in about 3 weeks. I am attaching my storytime document. Hope it helps. Beverly Bixler bbixler at sanantonio.gov San Antonio Public Library, TX
Below:
STORYTIME PLANNING SHEET
THEME: NIGHT TIME / BEDTIME
BOOKS:
Appelt, Kathi. BAYOU LULLABY. (E; PS, T) Apperley, Dawn. BLOSSOM AND BOO STAY UP LATE. (E; PS) Arnold, Tedd. NO JUMPING ON THE BED! (E) Bajaj, Varsha. HOW MANY KISSES DO YOU WANT TONIGHT? (E; PS, T; very cute) Ballard, Robin. TONIGHT AND TOMORROW. (E) Bang, Molly. TEN, NINE, EIGHT. (E) Banks, Kate. THE NIGHT WORKER. (E) Berger, Barbara. GRANDFATHER TWILIGHT. (E) Bergman, Mara. MUSICAL BEDS. (E, PS) Boelts, Maribeth. LOOKING FOR SLEEPY. (E; PS, T) Bogan, Paulette. GOODNIGHT LULU. (E; PS, T) Bradbury, Ray. SWITCH ON THE NIGHT. (E) Brown, Margaret W. A CHILD'S GOODNIGHT BOOK. (E)
GOODNIGHT MOON. (E; PS, T)
Bunting, Eve. MY BIG BOY BED. (E; PS, T; very cute)
Burningham, John. HUSHABYE. (E; PS, T)
Butler, John. HUSH, LITTLE ONES. (E; PS, T; gorgeous ill. of animals)
Carle, Eric. PAPA, PLEASE GET THE MOON FOR ME. (E)
Christelow, Eileen. FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED. (E)
Conrad, Donna. SEE YOU SOON MOON. (E; PS)
Cook, Sally. GOOD NIGHT PILLOW FIGHT. (E; PS)
Coy, John. VROOMALOOM ZOOM. (E)
Downey, Lynn. THE FLEA'S SNEEZE. (E)
Farjeon, Eleanor. CATS SLEEP ANYWHERE. (E; home or office)
Field, Eugene. WYNKEN, BLYNKEN & NOD. (ill. by David McPhail; E; PS, T)
Fleming, Denise. TIME TO SLEEP. (E; PS, T)
Fox, Mem. TIME FOR BED. (E)
Frampton, David. THE WHOLE NIGHT THROUGH. (E)
Ginsburg, Mirra. ASLEEP, ASLEEP. (E; PS, T)
THE SUN'S ASLEEP BEHIND THE HILL. (E)
Gliori, Debi. FLORA'S BLANKET. (E; PS, T)
POLAR BOLERO. (E)
Goodman, Joan. BERNARD'S NAP. (E) Hague, Michael. TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR. (E) Haines, Mike. COUNTDOWN TO BEDTIME. (E) Hargrove, Linda. WINGS ACROSS THE MOON. (E) Hest, Amy. KISS GOOD NIGHT. (E) Ho, Minfong. HUSH! A THAI LULLABY. (J811.54) Horacek, Petr. WHEN THE MOON SMILED. (E; PS, T) Hunter, Sally. HUMPHREY'S BEDTIME. (E; PS, T) Hurd, Thacher. THE QUIET EVENING. (E) Hutchins, Pat. GOOD-NIGHT OWL. (E; PS, T) Inkpen, Mick. IT'S BEDTIME, WIBBLY PIG! (E; PS, T) Keats, Ezra J. DREAMS. (E) Knutson, Kimberley. BED BOUNCERS. (E) Johnson, Jane. ARE YOU READY FOR BED? (E; PS, T) Kajikawa, Kimiko. SWEET DREAMS: HOW ANIMALS SLEEP. (E) Kellogg, Steven. A-HUNTING WE WILL GO! (E; PS, T) Lewison, Wendy. GOING TO SLEEP ON THE FARM. (E) Lum, Kate. WHAT? CRIED GRANNY. (E; PS) MacDonald, Maryann. SAM'S WORRIES. (E) Massie, Diane R. THE BABY BEEBEE BIRD. (E) Mitton, Tony. GOODNIGHT ME, GOODNIGHT YOU. (E; PS, T) McGee, Marni. SLEEPY ME. (E) McPhail, David. TWILIGHT. (E) **Moon, Nicola. TICK-TOCK, DRIP-DROP!: (E; PS, T; absolutely adorable!) Most, Bernard. Z-Z-ZOINK! (E) Nakamura, Katherine. SONG OF NIGHT. (E; PS, T) Partridge, Elizabeth. MOON GLOWING. (E) Rathmann, Peggy. 10 MINUTES TILL BEDTIME. (E) GOOD NIGHT GORILLA. (E) Rice, Eve. GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT. Rosenberg, Liz. ELI'S NIGHT-LIGHT. (E; PS, T) Ross, Michael. SNUG AS A BUG. (E; PS, T) Rothstein, Gloria. SHEEP ASLEEP. (E; PS, T) Schaefer, Carole L. DOWN IN THE WOODS AT SLEEPYTIME. (E) Schertle, Alice. WHEN THE MOON IS HIGH. (E; PS,T) Schnur, Steven. NIGHT LIGHTS. (E) Sendak, Maurice. IN THE NIGHT KITCHEN. (E) Simms, Laura. THE SQUEAKY DOOR. (E) Singer, Marilyn. QUIET NIGHT. (E; PS, T) Taylor, Jane. TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR. (E; ill. by Michael Hague) Thomson, Pat. THE SQUEAKY, CREAKY BED. (E; PS, T) Trapani, Iza. TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR. (E) Tyger, Rory. NEWTON. (E; PS, T; adorable) Waber, Bernard. IRA SLEEPS OVER. (E; PS)
THE MOUSE THAT SNORED.
Wallace, John. ANYTHING FOR YOU. (E; PS, T) Warnes, Tim. CAN'T YOU SLEEP, DOTTY? (E; PS, T) Weninger, Brigitte. IT'S BEDTIME. (E; PS, T) Whybrow, Ian. THE NOISY WAY TO BED. (E; PS, T) Willard, Nancy. THE NIGHTGOWN OF THE SULLEN MOON. (E) Wilson-Max, Ken. MAX'S STARRY NIGHT. (E) Wood, Audrey. THE NAPPING HOUSE. (home; PS) Yaccarino, Dan. GOOD NIGHT, MR. NIGHT. (E) Yolen, Jane. HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY GOODNIGHT? Ziefert, Harriet. WHAT DO DUCKS DREAM? (E; PS, T) Zolotow, Charlotte. WHEN THE WIND STOPS. (E; PS, T)
FINGERPLAYS: See fingerplay sheet
MUSIC/SONGS: See fingerplay sheet
"Goodnight Gorilla" video or DVD "Brush Your Teeth" (Cathy Fink CD or Raffi CD-office)
PROPS (PUPPETS, FLANNEL BOARD, ETC.): "The Napping House" by Audrey Wood with props and puppets. Make a "bed" out of a cardboard box (of a size that sits on your lap (mine is about 12"x18"x6"deep)*you may want to cut a curve for your thighs) covered with a piece of cloth or felt for the blanket and pillow, granny, boy, dog, cat, and mouse puppets (or dolls & stuffed animals (Beanie Babies work), and a tiny felt "flea." Begin the story with the bed on your lap, "There is a house" (draw the house in the air with your hands) "a napping house where everyone is sleeping" (hands together at side of head, head cocked (sleeping)). "And in that house (draw house in the air again) there is a bed (smooth "bed" with your hands) a cozy bed (smooth bed) in a napping house (draw house) where everyone is sleeping(cock head)." "And on that bed, there is a granny (place granny), a snoring granny (point) on a cozy bed (horizontal motion in the air with your hands above the bed) in a napping house (draw house in air) where everyone is sleeping(cock head)." Continue placing characters and making the repetitive hand motions. Finish with "A wakeful flea who bites the mouse, who nips* the cat, who claws the dog, who bumps the boy, who wakes the granny, who breaks the bed (thrust up your knees so the bed flies through the air hurling its occupants everywhere -- much to the delight of your audience who didn't expect this!) in the napping house, where now NO ONE is sleeping!"
Magnet Board Song/Rhyme: "Hush Little Baby"
CRAFT SUGGESTIONS: Moon stick puppet
At end of program, pass out glow-in-the-dark stars; make the sun go down by turning out the lights, & sing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."
BEDTIME: FINGERPLAYS, SONGS, AND GAMES
FINGERPLAYS:
ANIMALS ASLEEP Flamingos sleep while standing up, (Stand on 1 leg) Fish sleep in deep blue seas, (Make wavy motion with hands) Turtles sleep inside a shell, (Cover head with arms) And koalas sleep in trees. (Stretch arms up high) Baby kangaroos (Slide fingers of rt hand behind lt hand; Sleep inside their mama's pouch. held sideways) Little baby swallows sleep Inside a birdie house. (Make box with hands) Kittens find a sunny spot (Encircle arms above head) To try to take a nap (Place hands under head) Puppies like to curl up (Curl hands into fists & place on legs) Especially in a lap.
AT NIGHT At night I see the twinkling stars (Wiggle fingers overhead) And the great big shining moon. (Circle arms over head) My Mommy tucks me into bed, (Cup one hand, place other index finger in it) And sings a goodnight tune. (Rock finger inside cupped hand)
THE BABY Sh! Be quiet! The baby is sleeping. (Finger to lips; rock arms) Sh! Be quiet! The baby is sleeping. (Finger to lips; rock arms) Sh! Be quiet! The baby is sleeping. (Finger to lips; rock arms) We don't want to wake it up. (Whisper) Walk on tip-toe, so we don't make a sound. (Walk on tip toe) Walk on tip-toe, so we don't make a sound. (Walk on tip toe) Walk on tip-toe, so we don't make a sound. (Walk on tip toe) Or the baby will start to cry. The baby woke up, and is crying "WAA-WAA." (Rub eyes as if crying) The baby woke up, and is crying "WAA-WAA." (Rub eyes as if crying) The baby woke up, and is crying "WAA-WAA." (Rub eyes as if crying) See all the tears on its face. (Use forefingers to track tears on face) We'll tickle the baby under the chin. (Tickle self under chin) We'll tickle the baby under the chin. (Tickle self under chin) We'll tickle the baby under the chin. (Tickle self under chin) Maybe the baby will smile. (Trace smile with forefingers) See how the baby starts to grin. (Trace smile with forefingers) See how the baby starts to grin. (Trace smile with forefingers) See how the baby starts to grin. (Trace smile with forefingers) Now we are happy again!
FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED Five little monkeys jumping on the bed. (Jump 5 fingers on other palm) One fell off and broke his head. (Point to floor; hit head) Mama called the doctor & the doctor said: (Put fingers to ear & mouth like phone) "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!" (Shake finger)
GOING TO BED This little boy is just going to bed. (Open up 1 hand, palm up) Down on the pillow he lays his head. (Lay other forefinger on open palm) He wraps himself in the covers tight. (Fold palm over forefinger) And this is the way he sleeps all night. (Rock hand) Morning comes, he opens his eyes. (Rub eyes) Off with a toss the covers fly. (Open up palm) Soon he is up & dressed & away. (Take forefinger off palm & bounce around) Ready for fun & play all day. (Bounce forefinger around)
GOOD NIGHT Here is my room (Make box with hands) And here is my bed. (Spread hands out to sides) Here is the pillow (Hold hands out in front) For my sleepy head. (Put hands under head) Pull up the blankets (Pull hands up to neck) Snuggle in tight. (Wiggle) Wait while I yawn, (Big yawn) Then kiss me good night. (Blow a kiss)
I WISH (make magnet board star for each child. Say rhyme and have each child place a star on the board) Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight. Ask: (Child's name), what is your wish?
JOHNNY POUNDS WITH HAMMERS Johnny pounds with 1 hammer, (Use 1 fist to pound on knee) 1 hammer, 1 hammer. Johnny pounds with 1 hammer, All day long. Johnny pounds with 2 hammers* (Use 2 fists) Johnny is so tired now*all evening long. (Rub eyes, yawn) Johnny goes to sleep now*all night long. (Lay head on folded palms)
LITTLE BOY BLUE Little Boy Blue come blow your horn, (Mime blowing on horn) The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn. (Point one direction, then another) But where's the little boy that looks after the sheep? (Shrug shoulders) He's under the haystack, fast asleep. (Put hands over head; then lay head on hands)
NIGHT TIME Before I jump into my bed, (Jump) Before I dim the light, (Pretend to turn out light) I put my shoes together, (Put hands together) So they can talk at night. (Make hands "talk") I'm sure they would be lonesome, If I tossed one here & there, (Toss 1 hand to left; other to right) So I put them close together, (Put hands together) For they're a friendly pair. (Hug self)
SLEEPY I'm sleepy, very sleepy, I want to stretch & yawn. (Rub eyes; stretch, yawn) I'll close my eyes & stretch my arms, (Close eyes, stretch arms) Now that daylight time has gone. I'll breathe so softly, be so still, (Finger to lips) A little mouse might creep across the floor, (Creep fingers of 1 hand up other arm) Because he thought that I was fast asleep. (Lay head on folded palms)
TEN LITTLE KITTENS Ten little kittens standing in a row, (Hold up 10 fingers, spread out) When they see the children, the bow just so. (Flop fingers down) They march to the left; they march to the right. (Move hands left, then right) They close their eyes & they say good night. (Point to eyes; lay head on folded palms)
SONGS:
ARE YOU SLEEPY? (tune: "Frere Jacques") Are you sleepy? Are you sleepy? (Rub eyes) Yes I am. Yes I am. (Nod head) Take your cozy blanket (Pull hands up to neck) And your teddy bear (Point to closed eyes) Go to sleep. Go to sleep. (Lay cheek on hands)
THERE WERE TEN IN THE BED There were ten in the bed and the little one said, "Roll over, roll over." So they all rolled over and one fell out* there were nine in the bed* Continue counting down until: There was one in the bed and the little one said: "I've got the whole bed to myself*" (tune: "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands") "I got all the fluffy pillows to myself*" "I got the new electric blanket to myself*" "I got the remote television to myself*"
(Shouted: "Hey, wait a minute, turn off that TV!")
"I got all the bedtime stories to myself*"
TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR
GAMES: Bring in a big bed sheet (or library tablecloth), and have the kids all take a piece of the edge, and throw five beanbags (or monkey puppets or toys) in the middle for "5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed."
Dear Alison,
This website is excellent for storytime themes. They do have a bedtime list. I have two of our toddler storytimes.
Last year we added the following 'action poem', which the kids and parents loved. ( I don't remember where I found it.) We'd asked the kids to bring in their favorite bedtime animal, and for those who didn't have one, we provided one of the children's library's stuffed animals. We covered the "babies" up with a little baby blanket to do the following:
Bedtime Tickle Bug
Tickle bug, tickle bug Hunting feet Creeping creeping Over the sheet One! Two! Catch 'em like this (catch feet) Tickle-y Tickle-y (tickle toes) Tummy kiss! (kiss tummy)
We also do:
Teddy Bear
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn around. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Touch the ground. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn out the light. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,Say good-night!
This Little Boy
This little boy is ready for bed, Down on the pillow He puts his head. Wraps himself in the cover tight, And here he sleeps all the night. Good-Night, Sleep-Tight!
These are some of the books we use at times.
Song of Night: It's Time to Go to Bed by Katherine Riley Nakamura
Sleepy Me by Marni McGee
Little Donkey Close Your Eyes by Margaret Wise Brown
Time for Bed, Little Tiger! by Julie Sykes
Fred's Bed by Marilyn Singer
Nap in a Lap by Sarah Wilson
Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest
Moon Glowing by Elizabeth Partridge
Good Luck! I'd appreciate any other responses you get! jill
Jill Johnson Assistant Children's Librarian Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library Broomfield, Colorado
Alison,
The first thing you have to do is dress in your pajamas. I wore my pj's, fuzzy slippers, and a robe. I told the kids ahead of time to wear their pajamas also. They loved it.
My all time favorite bedtime story is Goodnight Moon. Another good one to use is The Napping House, by Audrey Wood. I also like What! Cried Granny: An Almost Bedtime Story, by Kate Lum. It's a lot of fun and has a funny ending.
"Bedtime" * Action RhymeTime for bed, time for bed, (point to watch)Fluff up the pillow, (make fluffing motions with hands)Lay down your head, (palms together, hands to side of face)Pull up the blanket, (pull blanket to chin)Tuck it in tight, (arms tightly against sides)Close your eyes, (close eyes)And sleep all night. (snore) "Five Little Monkeys" * Action SongFive little monkeys jumping on the bed,One fell off and bumped his head,Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!" Continue counting down to one. "Baby's Nap" * Action RhymeHere is the baby who needs a nap, (pointer finger up)Lay him down in his mother's lap, (place finger in opposite palm)Cover him up so he won't peep, (close fingers over pointer)Rock him 'til he's fast asleep. (rock hands) "Good Night" * Action RhymeTwo little hands go clap, clap, clap,Two little arms lie in my lap,Two little feet go bump, bump, bump,Two little legs give one big jump,Two little eyes are shut up tight,One little voice whispers low,"Good night." "Ten in a Bed " * Action SongThere were ten in a bed (hold up 10 fingers)And the little one said, (hold up pinky)"Roll over! Roll over!" (move finger in a circle)So they all rolled over (roll hands over each other)And one fell out (hold up one finger)There were nine in a bed*Continue counting down to one.There was one in a bed,And the little one said, "Good night!" Mary Anne WoodYouth Services CoordinatorLondon Public LibraryLondon, OH 43140740-852-9543
Here's my bedtime storytime, presented to 2-4 year olds:Books (choose 3-4...kids really enjoyed the ** books)
Piggies by Don and Audrey Wood ** Ten in the Bed by Penny Dale Ten Little Lambs by Alice B. McGinty Good Night, Baby Bear by Frank Asch Good Night, Hattie, My Dearie, My Dove by Alice Schertle Asleep, Asleep by Mirra Ginsburg ** Going to Sleep on the Farm by Wendy Cheyette Lewison ** Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? by Martin Waddell nursery rhyme This Little Piggy Starting with the big toe or the thumb, wiggle child's toes or fingers, one for each line of the rhyme. This little piggy went to market. This little piggy stayed home. This little piggy had roast beef. This little piggy had none. And this little piggy cried, "wee, wee, wee" All the way home. action rhyme This Is the BabyThis is the baby ready for a nap. (Hold up one finger.) Lay her down in her mother's lap. (Place finger in palm of other hand.) Cover her up so she won't peep. (Wrap fingers around "baby.") Rock her till she's fast asleep. (Rock finger back and forth.) story rhyme Roll OverThere were ten in the bed (Hold up ten fingers.) And the little one said, "Roll over! Roll over!" (Roll arms around each other.) So they all rolled over and one fell out. (Roll arms, then hold up one finger.)There were nine in the bed. There were eight in the bed. There were seven in the bed. There were six in the bed. There were five in the bed. There were four in the bed. There were three in the bed. There were two in the bed.There was one in the bed And the little one said, "Goodnight!" Linda Bridges Effingham County Children's Librarian P.O. Box 1939 Rincon, GA 31326 a branch of Live Oak Public Libraries Savannah, GA www.liveoakpl.org
Hi Alison, It's funny you're asking this question since I'm doing a bedtime theme in my preschool storytime in September. This website: http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/storytimes.htm has some great ideas for different themes including bedtime. It's nice because they include fingerplays and songs as well as book titles. I'm not sure which story I'll read yet, since there are so many great titles out there. I hope this helps. Would you please let me know what other ideas and suggestions you receive? I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks. Joni WilderLa Vista Public Library9110 Giles RoadLa Vista, NE 68128jwilder at lavistamail.mccneb.eduSongs: 1)Pajama Time (from Philadelphia Chickens by Sandra Boynton/CD included)
This song is lots of fun--and just begs for a silly dance :) I typed up the lyrics and passed them out for sing alongs (parents included)
2)Teddy Bear Tuck In (tune will be obvious) This is the way we hug him tight, hug him tight, hug him tight, This is the way we hug him tight and tuck him in at night. This is the way we lay him down... This is the way we cover him up... This is the way we say goodnight, say goodnight, say goodnight, This is the way we say goodnight (kiss), we'll see you in the morning.Books: Good night, sleep tight, little bunnies by Dawn Apperley (If you have stuffed animals or beanie babies to go along with the animals, children can bring them up the front and tuck them into bed (a pillowcase, sleeping bag, etc.) Sheep asleep by Gloria Rothstein Ten in a bed by Allan Ahlberg Zoe's sheep by Rose Bursik There's an alligator under my bed by Mercer Mayer Someone says by Carole Lexa Schaefer It's funny where Ben's train takes him by Robert Burleigh Bubba and Beau go night night by Kathi Appelt Five little monkeys jumping on the bed by Eileen Christelow Newton by Rory Tyger Wynken, Blinken and Nod by Eugene Field Goodnight me, goodnight you by Tony Mitton The noisy way to bed by Ian Whybrow Sleep tight little mouse by Mary MorganPlease consider compiling a list and submitting it to the listserve. ThanksSharonSharon K. Anderson Youth Services Coordinator Cape Girardeau Public Library 711 N. Clark St. Cape Girardeau, MO 63701