Pigs Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Pigs Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge is Falling Down
Book: Ten Pigs: An Epic Bath Adventure by Derek Anderson
Finger Play: Two Mother Pigs
Song: Down on Grandpa's Farm
Activity: Count the Mud Spots on the Pig/Directions Game
Puppet Show: The 3 Little Pigs
Board Book: This Little Piggy by Heather Collins
Craft: Pig Mask
Parachute and Colouring Sheet

Apples and Autumn Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Apples and Autumn Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge Is Falling Down
Book: Mouse's First Fall by Lauren Thompson
Finger Play: Way Up High in the Apple Tree
Song: This is the Way the Leaves Fall
Activity: Leaf Sorting by Colour
Activity: Make an Apple or Flat Leaf Shape with Playdoh
Craft: Hand Tracing and Leaf Patterns
Parachute + Colouring Sheet

Halloween Spiders Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Halloween Spiders Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge is Falling Down
Book: Happy Halloween, Witch's Cat by Harriet Muncaster
Finger Play: Great Big Hairy Spider
Song: There's a Spider on the Floor (with bean bags)
Finger Play: Pumpkin Pumpkin
Activity: Boiling Pot
Activity: Spider Location Game
Boardbook: Eensy Weensy Spider
Craft: Spider Hat
Colouring Sheet

Pirate Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Pirate Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Treasure Hunt Game
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge is Falling Down
Book: Bubble Bath Pirates
Finger Play: Ten Little Pirate
Song: If You're a Pirate and You Know It
Felt Story Activity: Pirate Patch
Board Book: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Craft: Telescope
Activity: Searching for Colourful Pirate Swords
Parachute + Colouring Sheet

Trains Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Trains Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge is Falling Down
Book: A Train Goes Clickety-Clack by Jonathan London
Finger Play: Engine on the Track
Song: The Wheels on the Train
Action Rhyme: Here's a Little Choo Choo Train
Book: I Love Trains! by Philemon Sturges
Activity: Train Track Making with Popsicle Sticks
Activity: Stacking Lids into Patterns
Board Book: Freight Train by Donald Crews
Song: Chug Chug Chug
Craft: Name Train
Parachute and Colouring Sheet

Bears Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Bears Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge is Falling Down
Book: Welcome Home Bear
Finger Play: Two Little Black Bears
Felt Story: Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
Song: Teddy Bear Teddy Bear
Activity: We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Song: Hug Your Bear
Board Book: One Two Buckle My Shoe and Rock-a-Bye Baby
Craft: Bear Rattle/Puppet
Parachute + Colouring Sheet

Space and Aliens Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes
Space and Aliens Theme Songs and Rhymes

The Plan
Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping
Song: Zoom Zoom Astronaut
Book: Roaring Rockets by Tony Mitton
Rhyme and Puppet Play: 5 Little Aliens
Song: Zoom Zoom Zoom
Book: Hush Little Alien by Daniel Kirk
Song: I'm A Little Rocket
Craft: Alien Space Craft Puppet
Parachute + Colouring Sheet

Boats Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes
Boats Theme Songs and Rhymes

The Plan
Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping
Book: Boats by Anne Rockwell
Song: Row Row Row Your Boat (with partner)
Song: Jolly Ship (with partner)
Book: Little Tug by Stephen Savage
Song: Slippery Fish
Craft: fish puppet and floating boat
Activity: What Floats?
Stickers + colouring sheet

Earth Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Earth Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping

Robots Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Robots Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping

Bugs Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Bugs Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping

Family Storytime Quick Playlist

from Julia Donaldson's The Flying Bath

Here's a quick playlist of Family Storytime sessions I've done in the past: 

Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping
Book: The Flying Bath by Julia Donaldson

Construction Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Construction Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping

Valentine's Day Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Valentine's Day Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song*
Up Down Turn Around*
Hands Are Clapping*

Fairytale Theme - Toddler Storytime

 

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Fairytale Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song*
Up Down Turn Around*
Hands Are Clapping*

Dinosaurs Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 8 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Dinosaur Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song*
Up Down Turn Around*
Hands Are Clapping*

Baking Theme - Toddler Storytime

 

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 8 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Cookies and Baking Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song*
Up Down Turn Around*
Hands Are Clapping*

Superhero Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 8 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Superhero Theme Songs and Rhymes

The Plan

Welcome Song*
Up Down Turn Around*
Hands Are Clapping*

The Resolution is a Revolution Over Myself

This year, it's not just about resolutions. It's about a revolution over established habits and unrealized dreams. It's about using gifts long dormant, making connections that are meaningful, being truly adventurous. But seriously, what does this all mean?

Revolution (noun): a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system

Definitions mean nothing! We want decisiveness and actions. And that's what I am hoping I will achieve here. Maybe writing about what I want to do this year, and holding myself accountable through words every time I look at this blog, will enable this year to become revolutionary! Overthrow the overlord albatross!

Albatross (noun): an obstacle to success; a source of worry or distress

How about we start with my old list of resolutions, which isn't in any particular order of importance or priority. I will create new posts for each list item to describe in more detail the whys, the whens, the hows. 

Old Resolutions

• learn about and invest in the TFSA
• practice French and Japanese
• cook at least three times a week
• read about health and live healthily, as far as possible

Itchy Feet

Two months ago, I did the redux version of my Toastmasters Icebreaker speech. Why did I redo the speech? Well, let's just say that the first one was delivered in typical moi fashion: improv with spluttering, nearly incomprehensible dramatic flair @~@ Suffice it to say, it was a disaster, so I picked a different topic and penned the following:

Do you have itchy feet? And by itchy feet, I am referring to the intense desire to travel, to be elsewhere. Last week, Ioan asked us all what we really really want. I answered that adventure is what I want most at this time. It’s always exciting to leaf through books, preparing for the next encounter with a new culture and people. But sometimes, the excitement can build up into