Storytime: Valentine’s Day, Redux

I fucking kicked storytime’s ASS.

Not only did I figure out how to arrange things so I used up 45 minutes perfectly, I had a hit after hit after hit, whilst dealing with new kids (unknown temperaments! wants to touch the pictures!) and a cold room.

I figured out how to keep the kids focused, or at least on the storytime rug, when they show up early. I’ve instituted kiddo yoga. Not that I call it that, but I thought maybe if we did some stretches, the kids would stop running around and screaming or being afraid and hiding in their mothers’ arms. I was right. Abbie told me about how one of her friends circumvented cranky kids by having them stretch. “Cranky (arms up) … stretching (arms to the ground)”. Anyway, by the time we were done stretching, everyone had arrived.

STORYTIME: Valentine’s Day (45 min.)
Stretching – arms up to the ceiling, up on tippy toes (if you have developed that balance), then out to the side, then down to the ground like a willow tree.

Rhyme: I’m a Little Valentine (to the tune of I’m a Little Teapot)

Song: Row Row Row Your Boat (seated)

Story: Who’s Baby Am I? by John Butler

Song/game: One Little, Two Little, Three Little Bubbles – the moms blew bubbles while we sang, and the kids popped bubbles. It worked really well for the young ones, and the older ones helped me sing along. Note: moms can’t blow bubbles and sing without hyperventilating or inhaling soap.

Song: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes – first normal speed, then slow. I didn’t think they could do fast.

Story: The Best Thing about Valentines, by Eleanor Hudson

Craft: Valentines – I cut out shapes, and they scribbled with crayons.

Game: Valentine Hunt – I hid 3′ pom-poms all over the room, and the kids found them, ala Easter eggs.

Playtime