Storytime: Spring Has Sprung!

The official first day of Spring was last month, but you couldn't tell that from the lovely weather in Syracuse.  Snow in April, really?!  That didn't stop me from planning a spring-themed storytime.



BOOKS TO SHARE WITH TODDLERS:

Wake Up, It's Spring! by Lisa Campbell Ernst
Mouse's First Spring by Lauren Thompson

BOOKS TO SHARE WITH PRESCHOOLERS:

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb by Marion Dane Bauer
And Then It's Spring by Julie Fogliano
Spring is Here by Will Hillenbrand

FINGERPLAY: During the Spring

During the spring, it often showers.
     (flutter fingers down)
Or the sun shines for many hours.
     (form circle in the air with your arms)
Both are good for the flowers!
     (cup each hand and extend like a flower)

SOURCE: SurLaLune Storytime

FLANNEL RHYME:  Five Little Pigs in the Mud
Spring is all about mud, so this rhyme fits in perfectly.  Also, this can be used for bath time or farm animal themed storytimes.

Five little pigs rolled in the mud
     (hold up five fingers)
Squishy, squashy, felt so good.
     (roll hands)
The farmer took one piggy out,
"Oink, oink, oink," that pig did shout!

Continue with four, three, two, one...

No little pigs rolled in the mud.
They all looked so clean and good.
The farmer turned his back and then,
Those pigs rolled in the mud again!

RHYME SOURCE: King County Library System
FELT TEMPLATE: Storytime Katie

FINGERPLAY: Five Little Flowers

Five little flowers standing in the sun,
     (hold up five fingers)
See their heads all nodding, one by one.
     (bend fingers several times)
Down, down, down comes the gentle rain,
     (raise hands, wiggle fingers and lower hands)
And the five little flowers lift their heads up again!
     (hold up five fingers)

SOURCE: SurLaLune Storytime

CRAFT:  Fork Print Flowers

Pinterest to the rescue, again!  I found this idea here.  This was an easy and surprisingly non-messy craft that worked great with the toddlers and preschoolers.