Storytimes for babies and toddlers offer an opportunity to model great read-aloud techniques for parents, and gives them the confidence to read to their children every day. At times, a baby-toddler storytime will be followed by an extra 20 to 30 minutes of playtime, which encourages parents to talk to each other and for the young children to learn to play with others. It also demonstrates the importance of play to parents.
Autumn for Babies
Welcome song: “Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed”
Mother Goose rhyme: “Wise Old Owl”
Get ready song: “Open, Shut Them”
First book: Hocus Pocus, It’s Fall! by Anne Sibley O’Brien. A short, snappy rhyming text and beautiful charcoal and collage artwork celebrate autumn.
Fingerplay: “Two Little Blackbirds”
Stretching song: “Way Up High in the Apple Tree”
Second book: Bella’s Fall Coat by Lynn Plourde. Bella has outgrown her patchwork coat, but that doesn’t prevent her from playing in the leaves.
Movement song: “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”
Fingerplay: “Mr. Sun”
Third book: Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak. A little girl says hello to various animals and other aspects of the environment as the autumn season begins. The audience can call out the “hellos” that repeat throughout the text.
Closing song: “The More We Get Together”
Extra book if needed: Yellow Time by Lauren Stringer. Rich language highlights the brief text and distinctive artwork in this celebration of autumn.
Board book for parents: Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson. Parents can help their young children use this interactive book focusing on a tree losing its leaves.
Distribute board books for parents to read to their child. Allow a few minutes for reading time. When nearly everyone has finished, pass out toys for Stay and Play time.