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.
Owls for Babies
Welcome song: “Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed”
Mother Goose rhyme: “Wise Old Owl”
Get ready song: “Open, Shut Them”
First book: Good Night Owl by Greg Pizzoli. Owl hears a squeak, and can’t go to sleep until he discovers the origin of the sound.
Fingerplay: “Two Little Blackbirds”
Fingerplay: “Five Little Pumpkins” S
tretching song: “There’s a Spider on the Floor”
Second book: Little Hoot by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Owl wonders why he doesn’t go to bed at night like all his forest friends.
Movement song: “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”
Fingerplay: “Five Little Owls”
Third book: Owl Sees Owl by Laura Godwin. In this circular story with just four words per page, a little owl goes out at night to explore the forest.
Closing song: “The More We Get Together”
Extra book if needed: I’m Not Scared! by Jonathan Allen. Baby Owl claims he is not afraid of the dark, but he jumps every time something appears in the woods.
Board book for parents: Owl Babies by Martin Waddell. Three sibling owls worry after their mother goes out at night to search for food.
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.