Storytime Theme: Movin’ & Groovin’
I think that when a lot of people think about storytime, they imagine an elderly librarian shushing kids and reading long stories with antiquated rhymes and very little excitement. I don’t think people realize that often times, storytime is about meeting kids where they are. And when you’re doing a toddler storytime, you meet them at movement. Toddlers’ attention span is all of five minutes, which means we have to keep their attention by changing out what is happening to keep them engaged and maybe even learning a little bit too!
This Movin’ and Groovin’ lesson plan is all about animal movement, so encourage your storytime kids to get moving (even while you read) by doing some animal movement. By encouraging movement, kids are actively listening to what you are reading so that they can continue to participate as they learn about following direction, active listening skills, and pairing gross motor skills with animals!
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Storytime Theme: Movin’ & Groovin’
Books
- The Animal Boogie by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Debbie Harter
- Animals Move by Jane Whittingham
- Can You Dance Like a Peacock? by Rekha S. Rajan, illustrated by Hannah Abbo
- Dancing Feet! by Lindsey Craig, illustrated by Marc Brown
- From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
- Move by Steven Jenkins and Robin Page
- We All Play by Julie Flett
- We’ve All Got Bellybuttons! by David Martin, illustrated by Randy Cecil
- Wiggle by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Scott Menchin
Songs & Rhymes
- Bubble, Bubble Pop! – Jbrary
- See the Little Bunnies Sleeping – Jbrary
- Brown Squirrel, Brown Squirrel Shake Your Bushy Tail – Jbrary
Crafts & Activities
- Jellyfish with Paper Chain Tentacles – Crafts by Ria
- Snake Craft – Simply Full of Delight
- Origami Jumping Frog – Red Ted Art
