Baby & Toddler Storytime: Dinosaurs

November 1, 2023

Books
How Do Dinosaurs Learn to be Kind? by Jane Yolen
I am a Tyrannosaurus by Anna Grossnickle Hines

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays
Song: Hello Friends
Hello friends,
Hello friends,
Hello friends,
It’s time to say Hello!

Rhyme: Dino Rhyme
Spread your arms, way out wide,
Fly like a Pteranodon, soar and glide.
Bend to the floor, head down low,
Move like Stegosaurus, long ago.
Reach up tall, try to be
As tall as Apatosaurus eating on a tree.
Using your claws, grumble and growl
Just like Tyrannosaurus on the prowl.

Song: We Are the Dinosaurs by The Laurie Berkner Band

Shaker Song: Shake My Sillies Out by Raffi

Shaker Rhyme: We Shake Our Eggs Together
We shake our eggs together
We shake our eggs together
We shake our eggs together
Because it’s fun to do!

We shaker our eggs up high . . .
We shake our eggs down low. . .
We shake our eggs silly. . .

Shaker Song: I Know a Chicken by The Laurie Berkner Band

Breathplay: Dino Roar
Take a deep breath in then ROAR like a dinosaur when you breathe out!

Rhyme: Can You?
Can you hop, hop, hop like a bunny?
Can you jump, jump, jump like a frog?
Can you walk, walk, walk like a duck?
Can you fly, fly, fly like a bird?
Can you swim, swim, swim like a fish?
But can you still be a quiet little child?
And sit as still as this?

Song: Goodbye Friends
Goodbye friends,
Goodbye friends,
Goodbye friends,
It’s time to say Goodbye!

Baby & Toddler Storytime: January 11, 2023

Books
Snow Days by Deborah Kerbel & Miki Sato
Waddle! Waddle! by James Proimos

Songs, Rhymes & Fingerplays

Song: Hello Friends
Hello friends
Hello friends
Hello friends
It’s time to say Hello!

Song: Snowflake, Snowflake in the Sky
(Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)
Snowflake, snowflake in the sky
I love to watch you floating by
Down you fall upon the ground
Down you fall without a sound
Snowflake, snowflake in the sky
I love to watch you floating by

Early Literacy Tip: Nursery rhymes like this help teach “phonological awareness,” an awareness of the sounds that make up words. You may have noticed that your child enjoys the way a nursery rhyme sounds even if it doesn’t make much sense to them. When you introduce a new rhyme or song, repeat it at least twice. Three times is even better. And be sure to keep repeating the old, familiar rhymes too.

Song: Snowy by Blippi

Shaker Song: The Walrus Washes His Winter Coat
Oh, the walrus washes his winter coat
Down by the wavy ocean
He adds some water, and he adds some soap
And he waits, and he waits, and he waits.

And the laundry shakes, shakes, shakes
The laundry shakes and shakes and shakes
The laundry shakes, shakes, shakes until it’s clean
And the laundry shakes, shakes, shakes
The laundry shakes and shakes and shakes
The laundry shakes, shakes, shakes until it’s clean

Oh, the walrus washes his winter coat
Down by the wavy ocean
He adds some water, and he adds some soap
And he waits, and he waits, and he waits.

And the laundry spins, spins, spins
The laundry spins and spins and spins
The laundry spins, spins, spins until it’s clean
And the laundry spins, spins, spins
The laundry spins and spins and spins
The laundry spins, spins, spins until it’s clean

Shaker Song: I Live in a Snowglobe by The Laurie Berkner Band

Breathplay: Hot Chocolate
Pretend that you have a cup of hot chocolate. Oh but it’s much too hot! Let’s take a deep breath in… then blow our breath over the top of our cup to cool it down! Let’s do it one more time… breathe in and out. Now let’s take a drink. Yummy!

Song: Goodbye Friends
Goodbye friends
Goodbye friends
Goodbye friends
It’s time to say Goodbye!

Baby Time: March 11, 2020

Books
Winter Babies by Kathryn O. Galbraith, illus. by Adela Pons
Snowballs by Lois Ehlert

Music
“Itsy Bitsy Spider” by Sue Schnitzer, Wiggle and Whirl: Clap and Nap
“Hickory Dickory Dock” by Pam Miller, Disney Babies: Playtime (with rhythm tubes)

Baby Sign Language
Cold

Community Resource
Kids Eat Free

Songs, Rhymes and Fingerplays

Hello Song
Tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb
Everybody smile and wave,
Smile and wave,
Smile and wave.
Everybody smile and wave,
I’m so glad you’re here.
Repeat

Bees & Flowers
Tune: Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Buzz, buzz, busy bee
Zipping all around
Looking for a flower friend
Waiting to be found
(Keep “flower” finger behind back until time to come out, have bee land on flower)

Rain is Falling Down
Tune: Farmer in the Dell
The rain is falling down. Splash! (flutter fingers down baby’s arms, swipe down legs on “splash” OR for older kids – flutter fingers down in the air, clap on “splash”)
The rain is falling down. Splash!
Pitter patter, pitter pat, (flutter fingers on baby’s body OR tap thighs)
The rain is falling down. Splash!
The sun is peeking out. Peek! (play peek a boo OR act as the sun)
The sun is peeking out. Peek!
Peeking here and peeking there,
The sun is peeking out. Peek!

Bicycle
(Great for diaper changing times: rotate baby’s legs)
I have a little bicycle
I ride it to and fro
And when I see that big green light
I know it’s time to go
I have a little bicycle
I bought it at the shop
And when I see that big red light
I know it’s time to stop!

I Hear Thunder
Tune: Frere Jacques
I hear thunder, I hear thunder (pound hands gently on floor or lap)
Listen, don’t you? Listen, don’t you? (cup hand to ear)
Pitter, patter, raindrops; pitter, patter, raindrops (wiggle fingers in falling motion)
I’m wet through (shake body)
So are you! (tickle child)

This Is the Way We Tap Our Sticks (with rhythm tubes)
Tune: Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush

This is the way we tap our sticks,
Tap our sticks, tap our sticks.
This is the way we tap our sticks,
So early in the morning.

Tap them soft
Tap the floor
Tap our shoes

 

Baby Time: March 4, 2020

Books
The Seasons (Rookie Toddler)
No Two Alike by Keith Baker

Music
“Rock and Roll Freeze Dance” by Hap Palmer, So Big

Baby Sign Language
Snow

Community Resource
Let’s Go Swimming: Waverly East Pool (Delta Twp. Parks & Rec), Grand Ledge HS Pool (GL Parks & Rec), Westside (or others) YMCA, Goldfish Swim School (Okemos)

Songs, Rhymes and Fingerplays

Hello Song
Tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb
Everybody smile and wave,
Smile and wave,
Smile and wave.
Everybody smile and wave,
I’m so glad you’re here.
Repeat

Bees & Flowers
Tune: Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Buzz, buzz, busy bee
Zipping all around
Looking for a flower friend
Waiting to be found
(Keep “flower” finger behind back until time to come out, have bee land on flower)

Rain is Falling Down
Tune: Farmer in the Dell
The rain is falling down. Splash! (flutter fingers down baby’s arms, swipe down legs on “splash” OR for older kids – flutter fingers down in the air, clap on “splash”)
The rain is falling down. Splash!
Pitter patter, pitter pat, (flutter fingers on baby’s body OR tap thighs)
The rain is falling down. Splash!
The sun is peeking out. Peek! (play peek a boo OR act as the sun)
The sun is peeking out. Peek!
Peeking here and peeking there,
The sun is peeking out. Peek!

Bicycle
(Great for diaper changing times: rotate baby’s legs)
I have a little bicycle
I ride it to and fro
And when I see that big green light
I know it’s time to go
I have a little bicycle
I bought it at the shop
And when I see that big red light
I know it’s time to stop!

I Hear Thunder
Tune: Frere Jacques
I hear thunder, I hear thunder (pound hands gently on floor or lap)
Listen, don’t you? Listen, don’t you? (cup hand to ear)
Pitter, patter, raindrops; pitter, patter, raindrops (wiggle fingers in falling motion)
I’m wet through (shake body)
So are you! (tickle child)

Play Your Instrument (with instruments)
Play your instrument, play your instrument
One, two, three, one two three
Can you play a song, can you play a song?
Just like me, just like me
Play your instrument, play your instrument
Way up high, way up high
Now bend down, now bend down
Play down low, play down low

If You Like Winter
If you like winter and you know it, clap your mittens
If you like winter and you know it, clap your mittens
If you like winter and you know it, and you really want to show it
If you like winter and you know it, clap your mittens

Stomp your boots
Shout, “Snow Day!”

Winter Hokey Pokey
You put your mittens (hands) in
You take your mittens out
You put your mittens in
And you shake them all about
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about
Repeat with: boots (feet), hat (head), coat (whole body)

Baby Time: February 26, 2020

Books
Lunch by Denise Fleming
Who’s Hungry? by Dean Hacohen & Sherry Scharschmidt

Music
“I’m a Little Teapot” by Hap Palmer, Early Childhood Classics
“Popcorn Calling Me” by Laurie Berkner, Buzz Buzz (with scarves)

Baby Sign Language
Eat

Community Resource
Free Preschool: Head Start & Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)

Songs, Rhymes and Fingerplays

Hello Song
Tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb
Everybody smile and wave,
Smile and wave,
Smile and wave.
Everybody smile and wave,
I’m so glad you’re here.
Repeat

I Touch My Eyes
I touch my eyes
I touch my nose
I touch my head
I touch my toes.
I reach up high
I reach down low
I take a breath (pause)
And UP I go !

Pudding on the Plate
Tune: Farmer in the Dell
Pudding on the plate,
Pudding on the plate,
Wibble wobble,
Wibble wobble,
Pudding on the plate!
Candies in the jar,
Candies in the jar,
Shake them up,
Shake them up,
Candies in the jar!
Candles on the cake,
Candles on the cake,
Blow them out,
Blow them out,
Candles on the cake!

Baby Put Your Shoes On
Baby put your shoes on, shoes on, shoes on (wiggle baby’s legs)
Baby put your shoes on, 1, 2, 3 (hold up fingers as you count)
Baby put your shoes on, shoes on, shoes on (wiggle baby’s legs)
Baby put your shoes on, 1, 2, 3 (hold up fingers as you count)
Legs to the left (wiggle left leg)
Legs to the right (wiggle right leg)
Wiggle and jiggle and pull them on tight (wiggle baby’s legs)
Legs to the left (wiggle left leg)
Legs to the right (wiggle right leg)
Wiggle and jiggle and pull them on tight (wiggle baby’s legs)
Baby put your shoes on, shoes on, shoes on (wiggle baby’s legs)
Baby put your shoes on, 1, 2, 3 (hold up fingers as you count)

Kissy Game
Kissy, kissy fingers,
Kissy, kissy toes,
Kissy, kissy baby,
On your kissy, kissy nose.

I love to kiss your fingers.
I love to kiss your toes.
I love to kiss my baby,
On your kissy, kissy nose!

Mix a Pancake (with scarves)
Mix a pancake, stir a pancake (swirl scarf in front of you)
Put it in a pan (bunch scarf in hands)
Fry a pancake, toss a pancake (rub scarf between hands, then toss in air)
Catch it if you can! (catch scarf)

Riding the Merry-Go-Round
Tune: Mulberry Bush
Take a ride on the merry-go-round
Around and around
Around and around
The horses go up and the horses go down
Around and around and around
(can also get up and walk around with baby in arms, or walk in group circle)

Let’s Go Riding in an Elevator
Let’s go riding in an elevator, elevator, elevator
Let’s go riding in an elevator, come along with me
First floor…. second floor… third floor… fourth floor…fifth floor (baby should be high now) and….
DOWN! (drop down quickly)

Baby Time: February 19, 2020

Books
I Can Do It Too! by Karen Baicker, illus. by Ken Wilson-Max
I am a Baby by Kathryn Madeline Allen, illus. by Rebecca Gizicki

Music
“Bubble Bath” by Joanie Bartels, Bathtime Magic (with sea puppets & bubbles)

Baby Sign Language
Bath

Community Resource
Jump places: Defy Lansing, Launch, Jumpin Jax, Springz

Songs, Rhymes and Fingerplays

Hello Song
Tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb
Everybody smile and wave,
Smile and wave,
Smile and wave.
Everybody smile and wave,
I’m so glad you’re here.
Repeat

I Touch My Eyes
I touch my eyes
I touch my nose
I touch my head
I touch my toes.
I reach up high
I reach down low
I take a breath (pause)
And UP I go !

Pudding on the Plate
Tune: Farmer in the Dell
Pudding on the plate,
Pudding on the plate,
Wibble wobble,
Wibble wobble,
Pudding on the plate!
Candies in the jar,
Candies in the jar,
Shake them up,
Shake them up,
Candies in the jar!
Candles on the cake,
Candles on the cake,
Blow them out,
Blow them out,
Candles on the cake!

Baby Put Your Shirt On
Baby put your shirt on, shirt on, shirt on (wiggle baby’s arms)
Baby put your shirt on, 1, 2, 3 (hold up fingers as you count)
Baby put your shirt on, shirt on, shirt on (wiggle baby’s arms)
Baby put your shirt on, 1, 2, 3 (hold up fingers as you count)
Arms to the left (wiggle left arm)
Arms to the right (wiggle right arm)
Wiggle and jiggle and pull it on tight (wiggle baby’s arms)
Arms to the left (wiggle left arm)
Arms to the right (wiggle right arm)
Wiggle and jiggle and pull it on tight (wiggle baby’s arms)
Baby put your shirt on, shirt on, shirt on (wiggle baby’s arms)
Baby put your shirt on, 1, 2, 3 (hold up fingers as you count)
Can change to other items of clothing/body parts: pants, socks, etc.

Kissy Game
Kissy, kissy fingers,
Kissy, kissy toes,
Kissy, kissy baby,
On your kissy, kissy nose.

I love to kiss your fingers.
I love to kiss your toes.
I love to kiss my baby,
On your kissy, kissy nose!

Mary Wore Her Red Dress
Mary wore her red dress
Red dress, red dress
Mary wore her red dress
All day long
Use kids’ names and items/colors that they are wearing.  This is a great song to integrate into your daily routine.

Rub a Dub Dub (with sea puppets)
Rub a dub dub, fishy in the tub (bounce baby)
Swimming in the deep blue sea!
Dive for an oyster, dive for a clam (swing or dip baby for each dive)
Then come back to me! (hug baby)

Baby Time: February 12, 2020

Books
Kitty’s Cuddles by Jane Cabrera
Kiss by Kiss by Richard Van Camp

Music
“Puppy Kisses” by Lisa Atkinson, The Elephant in Aisle Four (with shakers)

Baby Sign Language
Love

Community Resource
Barry-Eaton District and Ingham County Health Departments

Songs, Rhymes and Fingerplays

Hello Song
Tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb
Everybody smile and wave,
Smile and wave,
Smile and wave.
Everybody smile and wave,
I’m so glad you’re here.
Repeat

I Touch My Eyes
I touch my eyes
I touch my nose
I touch my head
I touch my toes.
I reach up high
I reach down low
I take a breath (pause)
And UP I go !

Pudding on the Plate
Tune: Farmer in the Dell
Pudding on the plate,
Pudding on the plate,
Wibble wobble,
Wibble wobble,
Pudding on the plate!
Candies in the jar,
Candies in the jar,
Shake them up,
Shake them up,
Candies in the jar!
Candles on the cake,
Candles on the cake,
Blow them out,
Blow them out,
Candles on the cake!

Baby Put Your Pants On
Baby put your socks on, socks on, socks on (wiggle baby’s feet)
Baby put your socks on, 1, 2, 3 (hold up fingers as you count)
Baby put your socks on, socks on, socks on (wiggle baby’s feet)
Baby put your socks on, 1, 2, 3 (hold up fingers as you count)
Feet to the left (wiggle left foot)
Feet to the right (wiggle right foot)
Wiggle and jiggle and pull them on tight (wiggle baby’s feet)
Feet to the left (wiggle left foot)
Feet to the right (wiggle right foot)
Wiggle and jiggle and pull them on tight (wiggle baby’s feet)
Baby put your socks on, socks on, socks on (wiggle baby’s feet)
Baby put your socks on, 1, 2, 3 (hold up fingers as you count)

Kissy Game
Kissy, kissy fingers,
Kissy, kissy toes,
Kissy, kissy baby,
On your kissy, kissy nose.

I love to kiss your fingers.
I love to kiss your toes.
I love to kiss my baby,
On your kissy, kissy nose!

Skinnamarink
Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky doo
I love you
Repeat

I love you in the morning
And in the afternoon
I love you in the evening
And underneath the moon

Repeat chorus

If You’re Happy (with shakers)
If you’re happy and you know it, play your shaker
If you’re happy and you know it, play your shaker
If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it, play your shaker

Play up high
Play down low

Baby Time: February 5, 2020

Books
I Love All of Me by Lorie Ann Grover, illus. by Carolina Buzio
Where is Baby’s Belly Button? by Karen Katz

Music
“Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” by Joanie Bartels, Bathtime Magic
“Dancen Hands” by Merry Music Maker, Kids on the Move (with ribbons)

Baby Sign Language
Baby

Community Resource
Local malls: Lansing Mall, Meridian Mall, Eastwood Towne Center
Great spaces for walking, plus play areas and special events

Songs, Rhymes and Fingerplays

Hello Song
Tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb
Everybody smile and wave,
Smile and wave,
Smile and wave.
Everybody smile and wave,
I’m so glad you’re here.
Repeat

I Touch My Eyes
I touch my eyes
I touch my nose
I touch my head
I touch my toes.
I reach up high
I reach down low
I take a breath (pause)
And UP I go !

Pudding on the Plate
Tune: Farmer in the Dell
Pudding on the plate,
Pudding on the plate,
Wibble wobble,
Wibble wobble,
Pudding on the plate!
Candies in the jar,
Candies in the jar,
Shake them up,
Shake them up,
Candies in the jar!
Candles on the cake,
Candles on the cake,
Blow them out,
Blow them out,
Candles on the cake!

Baby Put Your Pants On
Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on (wiggle baby’s legs)
Baby put your pants on, 1, 2, 3 (hold up fingers as you count)
Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on (wiggle baby’s legs)
Baby put your pants on, 1, 2, 3 (hold up fingers as you count)
Legs to the left (wiggle left leg)
Legs to the right (wiggle right leg)
Wiggle and jiggle and pull them up tight (wiggle baby’s legs)
Legs to the left (wiggle left leg)
Legs to the right (wiggle right leg)
Wiggle and jiggle and pull them up tight (wiggle baby’s legs)
Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on (wiggle baby’s legs)
Baby put your pants on, 1, 2, 3 (hold up fingers as you count)

Kissy Game
Kissy, kissy fingers,
Kissy, kissy toes,
Kissy, kissy baby,
On your kissy, kissy nose.

I love to kiss your fingers.
I love to kiss your toes.
I love to kiss my baby,
On your kissy, kissy nose!

Ribbons in the Air (with ribbons)
Put your ribbons in the air, in the air
Put your ribbons in the air, in the air
Put your ribbons in the air, now set them on your hair
Put your ribbons in the air, in the air

Put your ribbons on your knees . . . be sure not to sneeze
Put your ribbons on your tummy . . . now rub it, nice and yummy
Put your ribbons on the floor . . . now pick them up once more

Baby Time: January 29, 2020

Books
Old MacDonald Had a  . . . Zoo? by Iza Trapani
Peek-a-Boo Zoo! by Jane Cabrera

Music
“Alice the Camel” by The Learning Groove, Rockin’ Red
“You’re an Elephant” by Geof Johnson, Exercise Party (with maracas)

Baby Sign Language
Lion

Community Resource
211

Songs, Rhymes and Fingerplays

Hello Song
Tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb
Everybody smile and wave,
Smile and wave,
Smile and wave.
Everybody smile and wave,
I’m so glad you’re here.
Repeat

Two Little Blackbirds
Two little blackbirds sitting in a row
One named High and the other named Low
Fly away High, fly away Low
Come back, High! Come back, Low!

I Went to Visit the Zoo
I went to visit the zoo one day,
I saw a lion along the way.
And what do you think I heard it say?
Roar, roar, roar
I went to visit the zoo one day,
I saw a snake along the way.
And what do you think I heard it say?
Hiss, hiss, hiss

Shoe the Old Horse
Shoe the old horse (tap one foot)
Shoe the old mare (tap the other foot)
But let the little pony
Run bare, bare, bare (tap feet together)

A Little Dog Went Walking
A little dog went walking (“walk” fingers around child’s tummy)
To see what he could see
But all that he could see
Was Baby’s little tummy! (tickle tummy)

Ride, Baby, Ride (with maracas)
Ride baby ride, ch ch ch ch ch ch
Ride that horsie, ride, ch ch ch ch ch ch
Ride baby ride, ch ch ch ch ch ch
Ride that horsie, ride, ch ch ch ch ch ch
Whoa!
Sing it in a whisper!

Baby Time: January 22, 2020

Books
Some Pets by Angela DiTerlizzi, illus. by Brendan Wenzel
The Babies and Doggies Book by John Schindel & Molly Woodward

Music
“How Much is That Doggie in the Window” by Sharon, Lois & Bram, Great Big Hits
“The Little Cat” by Kathy Reid-Naiman, Reaching for the Stars (with instruments)
“All the Fish” by Caspar Babypants, I Found You! (with bubbles)

Baby Sign Language
Cat

Community Resource
Mother & Earth Baby Boutique

Songs, Rhymes and Fingerplays

Hello Song
Tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb
Everybody smile and wave,
Smile and wave,
Smile and wave.
Everybody smile and wave,
I’m so glad you’re here.
Repeat

Two Little Blackbirds
Two little blackbirds sitting on a cloud
One named Quiet and the other named Loud
Fly away Quiet, fly away Loud
Come back, Quiet! Come back, Loud!

I Went to Visit the Farm
I went to visit the farm one day,
I saw a cat along the way.
And what do you think I heard it say?
Meow, meow, meow
I went to visit the farm one day,
I saw a dog along the way.
And what do you think I heard it say?
Woof, woof, woof

Shoe the Old Horse
Shoe the old horse (tap one foot)
Shoe the old mare (tap the other foot)
But let the little pony
Run bare, bare, bare (tap feet together)

A Little Dog Went Walking
A little dog went walking (“walk” fingers around child’s tummy)
To see what he could see
But all that he could see
Was Baby’s little tummy! (tickle tummy)

Old MacDonald Had a Band (with instruments)
Can change instruments each verse
Old Macdonald had a band, E I E I O
And in this band he had some shakers, E I E I O
With a shake, shake here and a shake, shake there
Here a shake, there a shake, everywhere a shake, shake
Old MacDonald had a band, E I E I O