Toddler Programs Chapter
“Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight"
- Books To Share
- Books to Show or BookTalk
- Nametags
- Rhymes and Poetry
- Songs
- Audio Recordings
- Crafts
- Early Literacy Skills Activities
- Videos/DVDs/Films
- Professional Resources
Books To Share
- How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen.
- Llama, Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney.
- Starry Safari by Linda Ashman.
- Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang.
- Time For Bed by Mem Fox.
Books to Show or BookTalk
- Dinosaur's Binkit by Sandra Boynton.
- Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.
- Some Sleep Standing Up by Susan Stockdale.
- Stars! Stars! Stars! by Bob Barner.
Nametags
Nighty Night
Create a star or teddy bear nametag from a die cut.
Rhymes and Poetry
“This Is the Baby Ready for A Nap” from I’m a Little Tea Pot by Jane Cobb.
Moon Ride
(Traditional.)
Do you want to go up with me to the moon? (Point to friend, self, then sky)
Let’s get into your rocket ship and blast off soon! (Pretend to climb in ship. Swish hands quickly)
Faster and faster we reach to the sky. (Jump and reach)
We’re on the moon, now all take a look. (Look down)
And gently sit down and I’ll show you a book. (Sit down)
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
(Traditional.)
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed, (Hold up hand, five fingers extended)
One fell off and bumped his head. (Hold up one finger, move it behind back then tap yourself on the head)
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, (Use thumb and forefinger to make a telephone hold it up to your ear)
No more monkeys jumping on the bed. (Shake finger)
(Repeat motions, holding up appropriate number of fingers to represent the number of monkeys on the bed)
Four little monkeys jumping on the bed …
Three little monkeys jumping on the bed …
Two little monkeys jumping on the bed …
One little monkey jumping on the bed,
He fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
No more monkeys jumping on the bed.
Good Night
(Traditional.)
Two little hands go clap, clap, clap, (Clap)
Two little arms lie in my lap, (Put hand in lap)
Two little feet go bump, bump, bump, (Stamp feet)
Two little legs give one big jump, (Jump)
Two little eyes are shut up tight, (Shut eyes)
One little voice whispers low “Good night.” (Make hands a pillow to cradle head)
Songs
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
(Traditional. Give the children paper stars to hold up, or do the traditional hand motions as you sing this song.)
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are?
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are?
Audio Recordings
- “Whole Bed” on Bahamas Pajamasby Joe Scruggs.
- “One Light, One Sun” on One Light, One Sun by Raffi.
Crafts
Night Time Collages
Materials
- Precut pictures from magazines of nighttime related things such as stars, moons, beds, teddy bears, pillows, snuggling adult and child, sleeping children, pajamas, etc.
- Glue Sticks
- Construction Paper
- Crayons
Directions
Pass out a piece of paper to each child. Let the children select a variety of pictures and then glue them to the paper to create a collage. After the pictures are attached, they can further decorate with the crayons.
Chalk Pictures
Materials
- Sidewalk chalk
- Black construction paper
Directions
Let the children use the chalk to draw pictures on the dark construction paper.
Early Literacy Skills Activities
These activities support six early literacy skills that children need to know before they learn how to read: letter knowledge, phonological awareness, print awareness, narrative skills, vocabulary, and print motivation. For more information, see the introduction to this manual, or visit the Every Child Ready to Read @ your library web site, www.ala.org/ala/alsc/ECRR/ECRRHomePage.htm.
Time for Bed
Time for Bed by Mem Fox can be extended with puppets or props. As you introduce the story you can ask, “Sometimes I wonder how animals say goodnight to their babies? In our next book, we will get to see some very beautiful animal babies going to sleep.” As you read make the book as interactive as possible by pointing at baby animals, making noises, and asking the children to identify them.Invite the group to read along on the repetitive phrases, "It's time for bed" and "It's time to sleep."
How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?
Introduce How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen by talking about getting ready for bed. Ask questions like, “Do you like to get ready for bed?” or “Do you go to bed when your mom or dads tell you it’s time?” Use a dinosaur puppet, blanket, and teddy bear to pantomime the actions of the dinosaur in the story.
Starry Safari
As you introduce Starry Safari by Linda Ashman, talk about the girl in a red jeep and how she sees all sorts of animals on her safari. Ask what do the children think will happen when she is ready to pitch her tent and go to sleep. Ask the children to identify the animals in the story, and make their sounds. Vary your voice as you read, loud when the lion roars, etc. The book can be extended with puppets and props.
Statements about the six early literacy skills that may be used in the program to educate and inform parents about the importance of early literacy may be found in the book, Early Literacy Storytimes @ Your Library by Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting and Pamela Martin-Diaz.
Videos/DVDs/Films
If you have public performance rights, show these videos and DVDs, or segments of them, to the children. Otherwise, display them for home use. The length listed is for the entire film.
Good Night, Gorilla: And More Bedtime Stories. (51 minutes)
Professional Resources
- Early Literacy Storytimes @ Your Library by Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting and Pamela Martin-Diaz.
- I'm A Little Teapot! by Jane Cobb.