Toddler Time, Sept 26

Toddler Time is on Thursday at 9:30am and 10:30am and geared towards little ones age 12 months to 36 months.  What we did at Toddler Time:

Enter the Storytime Room and say hello to our doves.

Get your name written on a shape to put on our flannel board to show who is here today
Start with our welcome songs
Sing "Wheels on the Bus" aka song of the month!
Sing songs

Read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
*used picture cards to keep track of all the things the caterpillar ate
Sing songs
*The smaller group at 9:30 got to play with our scarves and do the popcorn rhyme

Everyone is then welcomed to stay and play with our basket of books, toys, and stuffed animals.

This week I threw in a few Duplo Blocks to see how they would work for the group.  Did you know there are seven stages for block building?

1. Carrying (blocks carried, not used for construction; young children around age 2)

2. Stacking (horizontal or vertical stacking; beginning around age 3)

3. Bridging (children create a bridge using two blocks to support a third; also around age 3)

4. Enclosure (blocks enclose a space; around age 4)

5. Patterns and Symmetry (balanced structures, decorative or symmetrical patterns; ages 4 & 5)

6. Early Representational (name structure during or after construction; age 4 ½)

7. Later Representational (announce name before building begins, often use props for dramatic play; age 5) 

Source:

Hirsch, Elisabeth S. (ed.) The Block Book. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), 1996. 

Early Literacy Tip:

Even if your toddler has trouble sitting and paying attention for the stories and songs, don't get discouraged.  Storytimes help them learn that books and the library can be fun and exciting.