Additional Classroom Connections This storytime can be expanded to continue children’s exploration of self-awareness.
Social & Emotional Look at Us Now! Invite children to draw two pictures of themselves. One should show something that they have learned to do recently. The other picture should show something they did as a baby or toddler. Have children write or dictate sentences that tell about their pictures. Make two books. You can title the books How We Were Then! and Look at Us Now! Share the books and have children talk about their pages. Children can add new things to the Look at Us Now! book as the year goes on. You can extend the activity by asking children what they would like to learn to do this year. Make a list on a chart. Revisit the chart throughout the year and talk about progress they have made. Classroom Interactions Develop a Positive Atmosphere Work to create a positive classroom atmosphere for your young learners. • Smile and show enthusiasm in your interactions. Make eye contact when addressing children. Speak in a friendly and calm voice. • Model kind and supportive behavior. Use talk that demonstrates supportive intentions. (I see that Jana hasn’t had a turn and some have had two turns. How can we make sure everyone has one turn? Let’s all listen when Pablo speaks. ) • Smile and show warmth to all children. Make interactions positive by using phrases that show respect, such as “please” and “thank you.” • Demonstrate patience and respect through listening closely. Help children to clarify their thoughts by gently asking questions to draw them out. Give extra time to children who take longer to respond.
Music & Movement Circle Game Invite children to sing and play this classic song and circle game about things that they can do.
What Can You Do (Punchinello)
What can you do, Punchinello, funny fellow? What can you do, Punchinello, funny you? (Children stand in a circle. One child,
Punchinello, is in the center. Children point to Punchinello.)
We can do it, too, Punchinello, funny fellow, We can do it, too, Punchinello, funny you! (Punchinello does something— claps, hops, touches nose three times, etc.— while other children sing. Children in the circle imitate motions.) Choose someone new, Punchinello, funny fellow! Choose someone new,Punchinello, funny you! (Punchinello chooses someone to take his/her place.) Language & Literacy Enjoying Books Exposure to books, signs, and other environmental print helps build print awareness and motivation. The exploration and discussion of a variety of books during storytime is key to this development. To grow to be good readers, young children need to be exposed to lots of books. Help children make and illustrate a list of their favorite books. Use this list to notice which topics individual children take a special interest in. Connect children with other stories that focus on their specific interests.
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