Welcome back, friends, for another virtual storytime. It's week 2 so check it out if you missed it!, opens a new window
This week I took inspiration from the September Early Literacy calendar (available at either Herrick District Library location and hopefully soon on our website!) and focused on the letter P. Talking about letters and letter sounds help us learn the alphabet beyond memorizing the "Alphabet Song" we all know and love. We
Together, we put together a puzzle made up of objects that all start with the letter P: peas, plate, pan, pumpkin, and on and on and on. Naming objects is a great way to introduce new vocabulary and is something you can do all the time. Pick a letter of the day and point out objects that start with that letter. For older children, ask them to find objects or name things that start with the letter of the day!
Next we sang another popular storytime song: Popcorn Kernels. This song is great for developing fine and gross motor skills as we countdown using our fingers, but also throw a piece of fabric or a tissue up in the air and need to catch it.
Sing to the tune "Where is Thumbkin"
Popcorn kernels, popcorn kernels, in a pot, in a pot, shake them, shake them, shake them, shake them, shake them, shake them, 'til they POP! 'Til they POP!
We also chanted a familiar rhyme with a twist: Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, PIZZA MAN!
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, pizza man [Clap hands together.]
Make me a pizza as fast as you can [Shake finger.]
Roll it [Roll as if with rolling pin.]
Toss it [Pretend to toss dough in the air.]
Sprinkle it with cheese [Sprinkling motions.]
Put it in the oven [Pushing motion with hands.]
And bake it fast, please!
This rhyme is a great example of telling a story: there's a beginning, a middle, and an end. Rhymes and stories like this help us understand how stories "work" which is another important early literacy skill!
We ended storytime with our favorite peek-a-boo rhyme and a special puppet friend, Penguin, joined us to sing along. It used the same tune as our Popcorn Kernels song which is a good reminder that we can make up our own songs using familiar tunes!
Peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo, I see you! I see you! I see your tiny toes! I see your button nose! Peek-a-boo! Peek-a-boo!
Looking for some books that start with the letter P? We've got you covered:
Books that highlight this practically perfect letter!
