"Sniffles and Snuggles" or Beth and the Seven Toddlers

Wednesday I did my first on-my-own storytime, at 9:30am, so we got preschoolers--mostly 2-year-olds. We had seven preschoolers, seven moms/grandmas/babysitters, and two infants along for the trip. My theme was "Sniffles and Snuggles--getting sick and getting better." I was well prepared except I had forgotten cushions for everyone to sit on. So I hunted around, got out a bunch, and went for more. Of course one of the little girls had to have a blue cushion because Natalie had (the only) one. Her mom was offering her green or red when I brought out another stack of cushions--including blue ones. Problem solved! They enjoyed the stories and songs:
"How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?" "Three Little Monkeys" ("Three little monkeys jumping on the bed...one fell off and bumped his head!") "Ah-Choo!" (everyone got a tissue to sneeze into whenever the girl in the story sneezed--got in a bit of public-health education there!), a cool new twist on the "Miss Lucy had a Baby" song, where the Lady with the Alligator Purse prescribes--PIZZA!" ...... and one (I forget the title) where all sorts of animals get cute, fairly minor injuries ("Poor Harry the Hamster! He caught his whiskers in his exercise wheel!").

Of course, one or two little ones had to wander up and get right in front of the book, so I moved the book around so everyone could see at each spread. Nicholas (or was it Cory? one of our two boys anyway) was particularly enamored of the concept of an "alligator purse." There was also some fussiness but that's cool storytime so Mom just drew back the little girl back a bit till she calmed down.

Then little Hannah came up to me and said "I want to dance with you!"
Beth: "What dance do you want to do?"
Hannah: "(unintelligible toddlerese)" followed by jumping up and down
Beth: How about we all do the Hokey Pokey?
Hannah: "Okey Pokey! Okey Pokey!"

Now I know with preschoolers to put in some major movement right in the middle so they can give their wiggles and noises full reign for a bit!

They had fun with their craft--pasting and coloring to make a get-well card. (Corey most enjoyed peeling the paper words back off the card, but as I said to his mom, "having fun is the point of the craft")

So, a good time was had by all, including me!

Sometimes I think I'd be happier at a college library (especially if I don't have heavy supervisory duties) but I do love working with the kids!