Monday Morning Messy Makers: Gingerbread

Keep scrolling to see book recommendations, songs, rhymes, activities, and crafts!

"The Gingerbread Pirates" by Kristin Kladstrup

"The Gingerbread Man" by Jim Ayelsworth

"The Library Gingerbread Man" by Dotti Enderle

"The Gingerbread Man" by Catherine McCafferty

"Catch that Cookie!" by David Small           Read Aloud Here

Five Yummy Gingerbread

Tune: Five Little Monkeys

Five yummy gingerbread sitting on a plate.

The first one said “Boy, we smell great!”

Shouting “Catch me, catch me, catch me if you can..

I’m really quick, I’m a gingerbread man!”

            Repeat with these verses:

            …The second one said “There’s a chill in the air.”

            …The third one said “I see hungry children everywhere!”

            …The fourth one said “I think we better run!”

            …The fifth one said “Here the children come!”

Then the children each grabbed one

And with a MUCH, CRUNCH, MUNCH,

The five yummy gingerbreads all turned into lunch!

 

Watch me Run

Tune: Jingle Bells

Watch me run, watch me run

All around the room.

I’m the little gingerbread kid.

See me zoom, zoom, zoom.

Running here, running there.

Running fast and slow.

I’m the little gingerbread kid,

See how fast I can go!

Try this out!

Craft Instructions:

1. Place your eyes, nose, icing and cheeks on the gingerbread face, then glue down.

2. Draw on a mouth and glue the bow/bowtie on.

3. Wrap the long strips of paper around your head and tape it to fit.

4. Glue the face and oval hands onto the headband

Extra play Ideas:

·        Create a gingerbread house or person using the play dough mats and play dough.

·        Make your own upcycled gingerbread house using a small box or milk carton.

·        Put on the headband and practice zooming and catching each other.

Virtual Storytime: 10 Turkeys in the Road

 

 

10 Turkeys in the Road

 

Opening Song:  Dance Your Fingers

Dance your fingers up, dance your fingers down

Dance your fingers to the side and dance them round and round

Dance them on your shoulders, dance them on your head

Dance them on your belly and now put them to bed!

Rhyme:  Mr. Turkey (Tune: Are You Sleeping?)

Mr. Turkey, Mr. Turkey

Big and fat, big and fat

I am going to eat you

I am going to eat you

Just like that!

Just like that!

 

Book:  10 Turkeys in the Road by Brenda Reeves Sturgis, illustrated by David Slonim, published by Marshall Cavendish Children

This is a very silly turkey book!  These turkeys run a circus.  How else could a turkey avoid Thanksgiving?  Try to tell your own silly story of a turkey who is too busy or important to be the main dish at Thanksgiving.

Rhyme:  I am Thankful (Tune:  Row Your Boat)

I am thankful for my friends and family

I'm thankful for the food I eat.

I'm happy to be me!

Closing Song:  May There Always Be Sunshine

May there always be sunshine

May there always be blue skies

May there always be children

May there always by you

 

May there always be stories

May there always be music

May there always be laughter

May there always be you

 

May there always be kindness

May there always be love

May you always feel special

Because you are you

 

Sending you smiles from afar!

Miss Tiffany

Move and Groove: Sleep Sleep My Baby

 

 

Sleep Sleep My Baby

Sleep, sleep my baby

Sleep, sleep my love

Fall asleep my little dove

Dream of the oceans, dream of the stars

Rest yourself in my strong arms

Sleep, sleep my baby

Sleep, sleep my love

Fall asleep my little dove

Dream of the whales, dreams of the fish

Don't forget to make a special wish

Sleep, sleep my baby

Sleep, sleep my love

Fall asleep my little dove

Dream of the mountains, dream of the sea

You will always, always be with me

 

 

This is a cuddly song.  We sing it during Move and Groove while putting up the toys and instruments to get the little ones to cool down.  You can sing this song any time that you need to refresh and refocus, especially at night when you drift off to sleep.  

Be thankful for the little ones in your life today and hold them close!

Sending you smiles from afar!

Miss Tiffany

  

Monday Morning Messy Makers: Feast!

Keep scrolling to see book recommendations, songs, rhymes, activities, and crafts that your little turkey will gobble up!

"The Thanksgiving Beast Feat" by Karen Gray Gruelle

"Thanksgiving Recipes" by Ronnie Rooney

"The Little Kids' Table" by Mary Riehle       Read Aloud Here

"I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie" by Allison Jackson

"One is a Feast for a Mouse" by Judy Cox

"Thanksgiving Rules" by Laura Friedman

Glad I’m Not A Turkey

Tune: Did You Ever See a Lassie?

I’m glad I’m not a turkey, a turkey, a turkey.

I’m glad I’m not a turkey on Thanksgiving Day.

They stuff you and bake you,

And then they will taste you.

I’m glad I’m not a turkey,

On Thanksgiving Day!

 

Pumpkins

Rhyme

Five little pumpkins sitting on the ground
The first one said, "I'm big, orange and round!"
The second one said, "I'm fresh off the vine!"
The third one said, "I taste divine!"
The fourth one said, "I'm ready to be tasted!"
The fifth one said, "Bake my seeds so they're not wasted!"
Someone from the kitchen picked them up and we know why...
The five little pumpkins all became PUMPKIN PIE!

Try this out!

Craft Instructions:

1. Cut a triangle out of a paper plate and put a layer of glue all over the paper plate.

2. Cover the piece completely with the squares of orange paper.

3. Glue the brown squares on the top edge for the crust.

4. Top off this craft with a few glued on cotton balls for your whipped cream. Tasty! 

Extra play Ideas:

Draw your perfect plate! What are your favorite foods to eat with your family?

·    Plan something to cook together to eat at a family celebration or dinner! Let your little one help measure and mix.

Virtual Storytime: While We Can't Hug

 

While We Can't Hug

 

Opening Song:  Dance Your Fingers

Dance your fingers up, dance your fingers down

Dance your fingers to the side and dance them round and round

Dance them on your shoulders, dance them on your head

Dance them on your belly and now put them to bed!

Rhyme:  I Can Make a Heart

I put my hands together

This is how I start

I my fingers right around

And I can make a heart!

 

Book:  While We Can't Hug by Eoin McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar, published by Faber and Faber Limited

Rhyme:  I Have a Little Heart

I have a little heart

That goes thump, thump, thump

It keeps on beating 

As I jump, jump, jump.

I get a special feeling 

When I look at you.

So I'll blow you a wish

Or maybe even two!

Closing Song:  May There Always Be Sunshine

May there always be sunshine

May there always be blue skies

May there always be children

May there always by you

 

May there always be stories

May there always be music

May there always be laughter

May there always be you

 

May there always be kindness

May there always be love

May you always feel special

Because you are you

 

Sending you smiles from afar!

Miss Tiffany

Move and Groove: Elevator Song

 

 

Elevator Song

Let's go riding on the elevator

Elevator, elevator

Let's go riding on the elevator

Come along with me!

First floor

Second floor

Third floor

Fourth floor

Fifth floor

And down, down, down, down, down!

 

 

For the big kids:  Use a scarf and shake to the beat during the first part of the song.  When you start riding the elevator up, have your child shake the scarf up and up, then either drop it or shake it quickly down when you ride the elevator down.  If you have a big kid that would like to use a doll or toy like a baby, that's great too!

 

For the little ones:  Bounce your baby to the beat, then start to move them up the elevator.  It's a great arm workout!  Bring the baby down as they ride the elevator down.   

Sending you smiles from afar!

Miss Tiffany

 

Monday Morning Messy Makers: Thankfulness

This week's theme is Thankfulness. Keep scrolling to see book recommendations, songs, rhymes, activities, and crafts that your little turkey will gobble up!

"The Thank You Book" by Mo Willems

"Bear Says Thanks!" by Karma Wilson         Read Aloud Here

"The Thank You Book" by Stephanie Graegin

"Llama Llama Gives Thanks" by Anna Dewdney

"Give Thanks for Each Day" by Steve Metzger

If You’re Thankful

Tune: If You’re Happy and You Know it

If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands.

If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands.

If you’re thankful and you know it, then your face will surely show it,

If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands.

         

          Repeat with these verses:

          …Stomp your feet

          …Shout, “I am!”

         

           

Let’s Be Thankful

Tune: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Let’s be thankful for this day,

For our friends and for our play.

Let’s be thankful; Let’s be glad,

For the food and things we have.

Let’s give thanks for you and me,

And our home and family.

Try this out!

Craft Instructions:

1. Cut out feathers and paper to fit around your child's waist, like a belt.

2. Glue the feathers on for a turkey tail.

Extra play Ideas:

·        What are you thankful for? Make a list for your child and take some time to focus on each.

·        Call a friend or family member to thank them for something kind they did for you recently.

Virtual Storytime: Bedtime

 

 

 

Bedtime

 

Opening Song:  Dance Your Fingers

Dance your fingers up, dance your fingers down

Dance your fingers to the side and dance them round and round

Dance them on your shoulders, dance them on your head

Dance them on your belly and now put them to bed!

Rhyme:  Bedtime

Time for bed, time for bed.

Fluff up the pillow

And lay down your head.

Pull up the blanket

And tuck it in tight.

Close your eyes

And sleep all night!

 

Book:  I Just Want to Say Good Night written and illustrated by Rachel Isadora, published by Nancy Paulsen books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group.

Song: Moon, Moon, Moon

Moon, moon, moon, shining bright

Moon, moon, moon, my nightlight (click)

Moon, moon, moon, I can see

Moon, moon, moon, you're taking care of me

Look up, it's the moon

Look up, it's the moon

Look up, it's the moon up in the sky

It's big and round, and I have found

That it looks just like a pizza pie

Closing Song:  May There Always Be Sunshine

May there always be sunshine

May there always be blue skies

May there always be children

May there always by you

 

May there always be stories

May there always be music

May there always be laughter

May there always be you

 

May there always be kindness

May there always be love

May you always feel special

Because you are you

 

Sending you smiles from afar!

Miss Tiffany

Move and Groove: Little Red Wagon

 

 

Little Red Wagon

Bouncing up and down in my little red wagon

Bouncing up and down in my little red wagon

Bouncing up and down in my little red wagon

Won't you be my darling!

The front seat's broken and the axle's dragging

The front seat's broken and the axle's dragging

The front seat's broken and the axle's dragging

Won't you be my darling!

 

Mama's gonna fix it with her hammer

Mama's gonna fix it with her hammer

Mama's gonna fix it with her hammer

Won't you be my darling!

 

Bouncing up and down in my little red wagon

Bouncing up and down in my little red wagon

Bouncing up and down in my little red wagon

Won't you be my darling!

 

 

For the big kids:  Toddlers will love to jump up and down to the tune, while older ones might just want to clap the beat on their lap.  For the second verse, have the children sway to the beat.  Then ask each child or adult how they would fix and assign an action to that tool.  It can be a real tool like a hammer or a drill, or something silly like a pillow or toothbrush!  The sillier the better!  

My family sings this on walks, in the car, or anywhere to pass the time.  You can personalize the song in  many ways, like changing the color of the wagon and adding wacky tools.

 

For the little ones:  Bounce your baby on your knee while you sing the song, swaying them during the second verse.  You can bounce them to the rhythm while you sing about fixing the wagon in the end. 

For bobble-headed babies:  Support you baby on your arm, close to your face and gently bounce and sway them to the rhythm.  Don't forget to have a big smile for them while you sing.  Or, lay your baby on the floor and hold their feet in your hands and gently bounce and sway their legs while you sing.  

Sending you smiles from afar!

Miss Tiffany

 

Monday Morning Messy Makers: Hibernation

This week's theme is Hibernation. Keep scrolling to see book recommendations, songs, rhymes, activities, and crafts.

"Old Bear" by Kevin Henkes

"Hibernation" by Margaret Hall

"Bear Snores On" by Karma Wilson

"William Wakes Up" by Linda Ashman

"Hibernate With Me" by Benjamin Scheuer

"The Snowy Nap" by Jan Brett

"A Bed for Bear" by Clive McFarland      Read Aloud Here

Hibernation

Tune: Do You Know the Muffin Man?

Do you know who hibernates?

Who hibernates? Who hibernates?

Do you know who hibernates?

It’s great big bears!

         

          Repeat with these verses for the last sentence:

          It’s little groundhogs!

          It’s slithering snakes!

          It’s buzzing bees!

          It’s small black bats!

          It’s stinky skunks!

           

I Have What I Need

Tune: Old MacDonald

I don’t leave when winter comes.

I have what I need.

I stay and search for food right here,

Eating lots of seeds.

With my feathers fluffed, I can stay warm

In the cold, in the rain, even in a snow storm.

I don’t leave when winter comes.

I have what I need.

Craft Instructions:

1. Glue dark paper to the bottom/middle of a piece of paper.  

2. Cut a paper plate in half to be your cave. Glue your cave on top of the dark square. Position 2 eyes peering out of the cave.

3. Add details around the cave. You can add the sky, trees, snow, or other forest animals.

 

Extra play Ideas:

• Create a hibernating bear’s den with a large box and blankets to take a nap in or to have story time in.

Virtual Storytime: Teddy Bears

 

 

 

Teddy Bears

 

Opening Song:  Dance Your Fingers

Dance your fingers up, dance your fingers down

Dance your fingers to the side and dance them round and round

Dance them on your shoulders, dance them on your head

Dance them on your belly and now put them to bed!

Rhyme:  Big Bear

Big bear, big bear

Hunting in the trees

Feasting on the honeycomb

Made by busy bees (buzz, buzz)

Big bear, big bear,

Wading in the lake,

Fish is your favorite dish

Which one will you take? (swish, swish)

Big bear, big bear

Resting in your den.

Sleeping through the winter

Before you're out again. (zzzzzzz)

 

Book:  Bears on Chairs by Shirley Parenteau, illustrated by David Walker, published by Candlewick Press.

Click here to visit Shirley Parenteau's website.

Rhyme:  Special Teddy Bear

I am a special teddy bear

You can hug me when you're sad.

I am a special teddy bear

You can squeeze me when you're mad.

You can sit me in your lap

And we can take a nap.

You will always know that I am there

Because I'm a special teddy bear!

 

Closing Song:  May There Always Be Sunshine

May there always be sunshine

May there always be blue skies

May there always be children

May there always by you

 

May there always be stories

May there always be music

May there always be laughter

May there always be you

 

May there always be kindness

May there always be love

May you always feel special

Because you are you

 

Sending you smiles from afar!

Miss Tiffany

Virtual Children's Library

Let Director Dennis take you around our online Library! Choose a door to explore different rooms. This is an easy way for kids and families to see everything the Macomb Public Library has been working on. 

Move and Groove: Five Little Ducks in the Bathtub

 

 

Five Little Ducks in the Bathtub

One little duck in the bathtub

Going for a swim.

Quack, quack, splish, splash

Come on in!

Two little ducks in the bathtub

Going for a swim.

Quack, quack, splish, splash

Come on in!

 

Three little ducks in the bathtub

Going for a swim.

Quack, quack, splish, splash

Come on in!

 

Four little ducks in the bathtub

Going for a swim.

Quack, quack, splish, splash

Come on in!

Five little ducks in the bathtub

Going for a swim.

Quack, quack, splish, splash

All fall in!

 

 To take this rhyme further, gather up bathtub toys and line them up on the tub the next time your little one takes a bath.  Have fun singing the song and knocking the toys into the tub.  It might make a bit of a messy but it's sure to make happy memories!

Sending you smile from afar!

Miss Tiffany