Squirrels

Mulvane Public Library Posted on by

Happy Wednesday, friends!

Squirrels

Today was all about squirrels! On Monday, we had Preschool Story Time on the lawn out in the park by the library. It was a beautiful morning to be outside and while I was sitting out there waiting for families to arrive, I saw a bunch of squirrels running along the fence behind me, chasing each other up and down the trees, and it was just so much fun watching them! I definitely think the theme for this week was the right choice!

Books:

We read: Finders Keepers by Keiko Kasza and A Friend Like You by Andrea Shomburg. Finders Keepers is about a squirrel who hides his nut in the ground and uses his hat to mark the spot. The wind blows the hat away and we meet a few different animals along its journey who use the hat for many different things. In A Friend Like You, a squirrel makes friends with a bird and they discover that even though they can’t do everything exactly the same, they can still be friends and do similar things together.

Songs:

Acorn Song

I’m an acorn, small and round, lying on the cold, cold, ground

Everybody steps on me. That is why I’m cracked you see.

I’m a nut (click click) I’m a nut (click click)

I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut (click click)

(You can either have the children click their tongues or tap their heads)

 

(Flannel Board)

5 Little Squirrels

(to the tune of “Five Little Ducks”)

1 little squirrel went out to play

Up in the branches one autumn day

He had such enormous fun,

He called for another little squirrel to come.

2 little squirrels…

3 little squirrels…

4 little squirrels…

5 little squirrels went out to play

Up in the branches on autumn day

They had such enormous fun,

Then all scurried home ‘cause winter had come.

Activities:

Today we talked about the letter “I”. We discussed what it looks like, how to draw it, what sound it makes, and words that start with it. Here are some activities to continue the learning about the letter I:

*make ice cream: https://afewshortcuts.com/easy-ice-cream-in-a-bag-recipe/#wprm-recipe-container-488967

*play with ice: https://theplaybasedmom.com/coloured-ice-cube-surprise-a-baking-soda-and-vinegar-experiment/

Or

https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/letter-sounds-activity-sensory-play/

*invisible ink: https://birthdaypartyideas4kids.com/invisible-ink.htm

*Interview your child

*invent something – give your kids a bunch of random objects and see what kind of cool things they can make out of them

Craft:

This week’s craft is a super cute Acorn Handprint. You can get the directions here: http://krokotak.com/2017/09/handprint-acorns/  or you can stop by the library to pick up a kit. If you do the craft, feel free to share pictures on our MPL Little Learner’s Page so we can see them!

Link to the Dot Alphabet: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/dot-sticker-pages/

I hope you’re enjoying this beautiful weather as much as I am! Have a great week!

Families

Mulvane Public Library Posted on by

Happy Wednesday, friends!

Families

Books:

Today’s theme was all about families! We read the books: We are Family by Patricia Hegarty and The Family Book by Todd Parr. Both books talked about how families come in all shapes, sizes, colors, etc. We talked about how no family looks exactly the same as another and that’s what makes them special.

Another great book to go along with today’s theme is Who’s In My Family: All About Families by Robie H. Harris.

 

 

Songs:

Some families are big (hold arms out wide)

Some families are small (hold arms close together)

But I love my family (point to self)

Most of all (wrap arms around self for a hug)

 

With My Family

(Tune of Do You Know the Muffin Man)

Tell me what you like to do

Like to do, like to do

Tell me what you like to do

With your family.

_________ likes to ________

___________, _________

________ likes to _______

With their family.

(example: Victoria likes to go on walks, go on walks, go on walks. Victoria likes to go on walks with her family)

Activities:

We talked about the letter “H” this week. We discussed what it looks like, how to draw it, what sound it makes, and words that start with it. Here are some activities to continue the learning about the letter H:

*swing in a hammock

*Hopscotch

*play horseshoes

*create secret handshakes

*handprint crafts: https://obarkley.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/simple-fall-handprint-crafts/amp/

*build a house out of any kind of building materials

*make some hot chocolate

*learn about how honey is made

Crafts:

This week’s craft is one that can become a piece of artwork to hang inside your house for all to see. Stop by the library to pick up some colored construction paper and cardstock to make a family handprint craft.

Link to the Dot Alphabet: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/dot-sticker-pages/

I hope you all have a wonderful week! See you next time!

Emotions (09/23/20)

Mulvane Public Library Posted on by

I’m a week late posting this entry from last week’s story time! I’m so sorry! I had a sonogram last week after story time where we got to find out the gender of the babies, and then over the weekend we celebrated my son’s birthday (he’s 3 now!), so the week just got away from me. Here’s what we talked about last week in story time:

Emotions and the Letter “G”

Books:

Today’s theme was all about emotions! We read the books: The Color Monster by Anna Llenas and My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss. We talked about how sometimes our emotions can seem like they take on different colors, and how those colors might be different for people. We talked about naming our emotions and being aware of them. All emotions are good to feel – but it’s important to know how to express them in ways that are not dangerous or harmful to self or others. A phrase that we use in our house is “I see that you are feeling mad. What can you do with your mad?” When your child is experiencing big emotions, acknowledge their emotion, name it, and ask what they can do with it. If they offer a solution that involves hurting, ask them to try again in a more positive manner. If they are struggling finding something to do, give them some suggestions. When my son is feeling angry, we ask if he would like to blow out his candles. He holds up one hand and blows on each finger slowly, putting the finger down as he goes. Doing breathing techniques like this while your child is upset can help them calm down in a fun manner.

Having a calm down corner where your child can go and process their feelings is another way to help them – this is different from time out. This is a safe place that your child can feel their feelings and have tools to help them calm down. Think about putting comfy pillows and blankets there, have sensory bottles for them to shake and observe, have a music player with calming music, have squishy toys to squeeze. All of these are great ways to help your child recognize how they are feeling as well as find positive and constructive ways to move beyond their emotion when they are ready.

Songs:

This is Me

This is me

From my head to my toes

I have two eyes and a little nose

I can clap my hands

And stomp my feet

From my head to my toes

I’m pretty neat

 

I Have Feelings

(To the tune of: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)

I have feelings (point to self)

So do you (point to others)

Let’s all sing about a few.

I am happy (make a big smile)

I am sad (frown)

I get scared (cross arms and make a scared face)

I get mad (make fists and stomp feet)

I am proud of being me (hands on hips, smile)

That’s a feeling too, you see.

 

Feelings If You’re Happy and You Know It

If you’re:

Happy and you know it – clap your hands

Sad – say “Boo Hoo”

Surprised – say “Oh My”

Scared – Shiver and Shake

Mad – Stomp your feet

Silly – make a silly face

Activities:

We talked about the letter “G” this week. We discussed what it looks like, how to draw it, what sound it makes, and words that start with it. Here are some activities to continue the learning about the letter G:

*set up a Golf course in your backyard

*Give a small gift to someone special

*make a Garden sensory bin

*make a guitar https://www.thriftyfun.com/making-a-cereal-box-guitar.html

*Grow beans https://www.pre-kpages.com/planting-and-growing-beans-in-preschool/

*learn about germs

Crafts:

Stop by the library to pick up a DIY emotions wheel. Your child is in control of which emotions they want to include on their wheel and what colors/facial expressions they think portray them best for themselves.

Link to the Dot Alphabet: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/dot-sticker-pages/

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

5 Senses – Taste

Mulvane Public Library Posted on by

Happy Wednesday!

If you weren’t able to join us for Story Time live, you can still head to our Facebook page and watch the replay!

The Sense of Taste and the Letter “F”

Books:

Today’s theme was the sense of taste! We read the book: Gregory, the Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat. We talked about what things we like to eat and how it’s fun to try new things. We also talked about eating lots of growing foods to help make us strong and healthy.

Another couple of books that you can check out and read to talk about taste and trying new foods are: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss and Nope. Never. Not for Me! By Samantha Cotterill.

Songs:

This is Me

This is me

From my head to my toes

I have two eyes and a little nose

I can clap my hands

And stomp my feet

From my head to my toes

I’m pretty neat

 

(To the tune of “The Bear Went Over the Mountain”)

My mouth is made for tasting

My mouth is made for tasting

My mouth is made for tasting

So I can taste my world

Activities:

We talked about the letter “F” this week. We discussed what it looks like, how to draw it, what sound it makes, and words that start with it. Here are some activities to continue the learning about the letter F:

*Fly a kite

*Fingerpaint

*Go fishing

*Play with Farm animals

*Play with feathers

*Pick some flowers

*Play flashlight tag

* https://www.themeasuredmom.com/letter-f-activities-for-2-year-olds/

Craft:

This week’s craft is a fun, open-ended activity. Swing by the library to pick up a bag of fruit loops and then let your child lead the activity. There is no right or wrong way to play with this activity. One of the best ways to introduce new foods to your child is to let them play with it. See what kinds of fun pictures your child can make with the fruit loops, and if he/she decided to munch on a few while they go, let them!

Link to the Dot Alphabet: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/dot-sticker-pages/

I hope you have a great week! See you next week for another Story Time