B is for Bunnies!

Who can resist soft, cuddly bunnies in the spring?  I sure can't!

Toddler Storytime presented on Thursday, May 1

Opening Song

Note to Parents and Caregivers:  Children develop motor skills as they perform actions during songs. If they cannot do it on their own, help your child do the actions in the song. You can take your child's hands and help them do an action, however, if your child resists this or doesn't enjoy it, do the actions yourself and let your child participate in their own way.

Hands Are Clapping

(Tune: London Bridges)

Hands are clapping

Clap, clap, clap

Clap, clap, clap

Clap, clap, clap

Hands are clapping

Clap, clap, clap

Hands are clapping!

Toes are tapping… Tap, tap, tap

Fingers are wiggling… wiggle, wiggle, wiggle

Eyes are hiding… peekaboo!

Fingerplay

My rabbit has two big ears and a funny little nose.

She likes to nibble carrots, and she hops wherever she goes.

Wee Little Bunny by Lauren Thompson; illustrated by John Butler

Hop Little Rabbit

(Tune: Skip to My Lou)

Hop little rabbit, hop, hop,hop

Hop little rabbit, don't you stop

Hop little rabbit, one, two, three

Hop little rabbit, hop to me!

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Note to Parents and Caregivers:  Notice that language slows down when we sing...especially in this quieting song. Children find comfort in singing familiar songs over and over again.

Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes

This is a great book to read together one on one with your child as they will be able to look for and talk about many details in the illustrations.

Goodbye song

Note to Parents and Caregivers:  Clapping along to the rhythm in songs helps children hear the syllables in words.

This is the way we say good-bye

(Tune: Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush)

This is the way we wave goodbye, wave goodbye, wave goodbye

This is the way we wave goodbye – goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!

This is the way we clap goodbye...

Repeat wave

Activities with pom poms

Note to Parents and Caregivers: Developing fine motor skills, such as grabbing, grasping, and pinching, will aid in hand-eye coordination and strengthens muscles in fingers that are necessary for writing. Playing with pom-poms is a fun way for children to practice these skills. Watch your child closely as they play with pom-poms--or better yet, play with them!

Here are some ideas of ways to play with pom-poms!

1. Put lots of different color and size pom-poms in a large bowl or bin.  Offer spoons, measuring cups, ice cube tray, smaller containers, etc. and allow you child to to explorer and play.  Idea Link 

2. Pull out several color matching pom-poms sets.  Hold up a pom-pom and talk with your child about the color, then ask them to find one that looks the same.  As children get older you can use more color sets.  

3. Encourage your child to sort pom poms into groups by color.  A fun way to sort is to place a colored circle in the bottom of a cupcake tin and have the child place pom poms with the same color in that cup.  Idea Link

4. Tape a paper towel tube on the wall and show your child they can drop a pom pom down the tube.  Children are fascinated with this activity!  Idea Link  

5. Use a clean, recyclable plastic container with a lid (such as a Cool Whip container) and cut holes in the lid.  Put the lid on the container and show your child how they can put a pom pom on the hole and push it through!  Idea Link