Move it Baby!

Today's list is a tad long, please just pick and choose to fit the amount of time you have. Be sure to look at the end where I've added some ideas to insert in cases of emergency. As in times where you've wound up the kids to such a pitch that it seems impossible to calm them down ;)

note: A really fun idea is to use a puppet, or if you can swing it, a marionette to do some of the actions. Now, needless to say (if you've attempted it, you will know) that you need to use your self for 'Johnny works with One Hammer'! I want a video if you manage it with the marionette! Also, the tickle songs are definitely more fun to do if you have a live helper to really tickle!)


It's my Body and I can Move it if I want to!

Sing it baby!

It's my Body and I can move if I want to, groove if I want to, move if I want to. You would move too if you want-ed toooo. (a little corny, but hey, it's FUN!)


I am Special
Frere Jacques tune

I am special!
I am special!
Look at me, you will see
Someone very special
Someone very special
Oh, that's me!
Yes, that's me!


Body Parts by Chuck Schacht

My parts are big
-stretch your arms way out
My parts are small
-index fingers close together
There's parts that help me taste and crawl
-point to tongue and then knees
There's parts that help me touch and see
-touch fingers and eyes
I know all the parts of ME!
-thumb to self


Knock Knock
-baby lies on floor, facing parent

Knock, knock, knock
-parent knocks on the floor
Peek in
-cover baby's arms over eyes and quickly uncover them
Open the latch
-cross baby's arms over chest and then extend out to side
Walk in
-walk fingers up baby's tummy
How do you do Mr. Chinny chin chin?
-Tickle baby under chin!


Eye Winker

Eye winker
-point to the part
Tom tinker
Nose smeller
Mouth eater
Chin chopper
Chin chopper
Chin chopper
Chin!
-and then tickle baby under chin


Toe-sy Woe-sy

Toe-sy Woe-sy
-tap each body part
Wee footy
Shin chappy
Knee nappy
Bulgie wulgie
Neckie peckie
Chinny winny
Nosy posy
Eye winky
Brow brinky
Over the crown we go
-tickle over the head and down back
Down, down, down the back, start over again!


What do you See With?
Frere Jacques tune

What do you see with
What do you see with?
-point to eyes
Tell me now, tell me now.
These are what you see with
These are your...
-audience answers ‘eyes!'

Continue with:
smell with -nose
taste with -tongue
clap with -hands
snap with -fingers
kiss with -lips
tap with -feet


Your Nose
from the Book & CD Blue Moo by Sandra Boynton

Play it, Sing it, You can have a LOT of fun with this little song!

...a Whoa whoa Whoa, your nose!

________________________________

I've got Fingers and Toes!!!
________________________________


Put Your Finger in the Air by Woody Guthrie

Put your finger in the air, in the air.
Put your finger in the air, in the air.
Put your finger in the air, and hold it right up there.
Put your finger in the air, in the air.

Put your finger on your cheek, on your cheek.
Put your finger on your cheek, on your cheek.
Put your finger on your cheek, leave it there a week.
Put your finger on your cheek, on your cheek.

Put your finger on your nose, on your nose.
Put your finger on your nose, on your nose.
Put your finger on your nose, and see if it grows.
Put your finger on your nose, on your nose.

Put your finger on your ear, on your ear.
Put your finger on your ear, on your ear.
Put your finger on your ear, and leave it there a year.
Put your finger on your ear, on your ear.

Put your finger on your finger, on your finger.
Put your finger on your finger, on your finger.
Put your finger on your finger, leave it there, let it linger.
Put your finger on your finger, on your finger.


Circle Left

Circle left do -oh, do -oh
-hands in a circle to the left!
Circle left do -oh, do -oh
Circle left do -oh, do -oh
Shake them fingers down
-shake out fingers to the ground

Circle right do -oh, do -oh
-hands in a circle to the right!
Circle left do -oh, do -oh
Circle left do -oh, do -oh
Shake them fingers down!
-shake out fingers to the ground


Open them Shut Them

Open them, shut them, Open them, shut them
-open and shut fingers-in fists
Give a little clap
-clap
Open them, shut them, Open them, shut them
repeat

Fold them in your lap
-fold hands in lap
Creep them, creep them, creep them,
-creep fingers up belly, neck ,chin, don't hesitate to tickle!
Up to your chin, Open your mouth wide...
-open mouth...
But do not let them in.
-hide hands quickly


Fee Fie Foe Fum

Fee, fie, foe, fum!
-stand up and stomp it out, hands behind back
See my fingers
-bring fingers out, thumbs tucked under, hold up fingers
See my thumbs
-fold fingers down, show thumbs

Fee, fie, foe, fum!
-stomp it out again, hands out, fingers out
Fingers gone
-fold fingers down
So are thumbs
-tuck thumbs inside fingers and put hands behind back



Piggies by Don & Audrey Wood

I have turned this book into a fingerplay told with a mixture of American Sign Language signs; dirty, clean, cold, hot and just funny finger actions; hands out fingers wiggling madly:

"I've got piggies!! Do you have piggies?? I've got piggies!!!... "

and launch into the story...

Make sure you get in a few good tickles as the piggies ‘skip down your tummy' and ‘dance on your toes' Put your hands behind your back when they run away and hide. Now really play up the piggie kisses!


This little Piggie went to Market
shoes off, or use your fingers

This little Piggie went to Market
This little Piggie stayed home
This little piggie had roast beef
This little piggie had none
and this little piggie went wee wee wee all the way home


Wee Wiggie

Wee Wiggie
-start with little toe (or fingers)
Poke Piggie
Tom Whistle
John Gristle
And big old
Gobble
-tickle
Gobble
-TiCkLe
Gobble
-TICKLE!!


Where is Thumbkin?
Frere Jacques / Are you sleeping tune

Start with hands behind your back, march out the correct appendage at the right time

Where is thumbkin, where is thumbkin
Here I am, Here I am
How are you today sir?
-one thumb bows to the other
Very well I thank you.
-other thumb bows
Run away, run away
-hands behind back again

repeat with:
Where is pointer
Where is tall man
Where is ring man
Where is pinkie
Where is the family



Thumb Bold

Thumb Bold
-tap fingers, start with thumb
Tibbity-told
Longman
Lick pan
Little, little, little man


Master Thumb

Master thumb is first to come
Then pointer, steady strong,
Then tall man high,
And just nearby
The feeble man does linger,
And last of all,
So neat and small,
Comes little pinky finger.


Ten Little Toesies
Ten Little Indians tune
Shoes off! Let's get ready....

One little, two little, three little toesies,
Four little, five little, six little toesies,
Seven little, eight little, nine little toesies,
Ten little tickly toes-ey!

Ten little, nine little, eight little toesies,
Seven little, six little, five little toesies,
Four little, three little, two little toesies,
One little tickly toes-ey!

______________________________________

Now you're all warmed up, and some of us are steamy! Let's see what you can do!
______________________________________


Whoops Johnny
*each parent substitute your baby's name
This is a great one for teaching spacial relationships

Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny
-tap each finger when you say Johnny -pinky, ring, tall, pointerWhoops Johnny
-slide your finger down baby's pointer finger and up baby's thumb at ‘whoops'; tap thumb-tip on Johnny
Whoops Johnny
-now go backwards - down thumb, up pointer
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny
-pointer, tall, ring, pinky


Head Shoulders Knees & Toes
London Bridge is Falling Down tune

Head & Shoulders Knees & Toes, Knees & Toes, Knees & Toes
Head & Shoulders Knees & Toes, Knees & Toes, Knees & Toes
I Love my Baby!

Eyes & Ears Mouth & Nose, Mouth & Nose, Mouth & Nose
Eyes & Ears Mouth & Nose, Mouth & Nose, Mouth & Nose
I Love my Baby!

Let's see how you move those parts now!


Eyes Nose Fingers and Toes by Judy Hindley


From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
this is an excellent book to move to, involving all the parts of the body - let's do what the animals do! I can do it!


Oliver Twist Twist Twist
-twist at the twists and point to the parts as you sing them

Oliver twist twist twist
Can't do this this this
Touch his knees knees knees
Touch his nose nose nose
Touch his hair hair hair
Touch his toes toes toes

Oliver twist twist twist
Can't do this this this
Touch his ears ears ears
Touch his waist waist waist
Touch his eyes eyes eyes
Touch his face face face


Johnny Works with One Hammer

Johnny works with one hammer, one hammer.
-one hand pounds knee
Johnny works with one hammer, now he works with two.
-both hands
Johnny works with two hammers, two hammers. Johnny works with two hammers, now he works with three.
-two hands, one foot
Four -both hands, both feet
Five -both hands, both feet, head nods
Six -both hands, both feet, head nods, tongue out - CAREFUL don't bite it! LOL!)


I'm All Made of Hinges from the Primary Songbook CD Book

I'm all made of hinges -arms wiggle loosely, neck, back, be scarecrow wobbly
'cause everything bends
from the top of my head all the way to my ends -hands to head, bend over touch toes
I'm Hinges in front -lean forward
and I'm hinges in back -lean back
I'm glad I've got hinges
or else I would CRACK! -CLAP


Alrighty! I know you can move all like scarecrows, let's BE scarecrows ;)


I'm a Dingle Dangle Scarecrow
-from the book Head Shoulders Knees and Toes by Zita Newcome
"I'm a dingle dangle scarecrow
with a flippy floppy hat
I can shake my arms like this
I can shake my legs like that"

(the mini storyline that goes along with the chorus is great for leading the kids in a normal voice, a whisper and then a loud voice.)


Shake My Sillies Out by Raffi
(I recommend singing and acting this one out instead of reading the book. Particularly for the toddlers and babies this laptime is meant for)


Ooo, I just love my baby!


Kissy, Kissy Baby

Kissy, Kissy, fingers,
Kissy, Kissy, toes,
Kissy, Kissy, baby,
On your kissy nose

I Love to kiss your fingers,
I Love to kiss your toes,
I Love to kiss my baby,
On your kissy nose!


Pinkety Pink

Pinkety, pinkety, thumb to thumb,
-Put your thumbs on baby's thumbs
Wish a wish, and it's sure to come.
If yours come true, mine will come true,
-Wrap your thumbs around the baby's thumbs
Pinkety, pinkety, thumb to thumb
-Kiss baby's thumbs


Dance Your Fingers

Dance your fingers up
Dance your fingers down
Dance your fingers to the side
Dance'em all around!
Dance'em on your tummy
Dance'em on your head
Dance'em on your shoulders
And dance'em off to bed.


Good night and sleep tight babies!


_____________________

Is your audience getting a little wound up? Try this is you need a calming moment:

Two Little Hands
Twinkle Twinkle little Star tune

Two little hands go clap clap clap
Two little feet go tap tap tap
Two little hands go thump thump thump (thump on the floor)
Two little feet go jump jump jump
One little body turns around
One little child sits quietly down


Sometimes

Sometimes my hands are at my side
-hands along your side
Then behind my back they hide
-hide hands
Sometimes I wiggle my fingers so
-wiggly fingers out in front of you
Shake them fast. Shake them slow
-suit actions to words
Sometimes my hands go clap clap clap
Then I rest them in my lap
-fold hands in lap
Now they're quiet as can be
-shhh, one finger to lips
Because it's listening time you see.
-cup hands to ears


Wiggles
suit actions to words

I wiggle my fingers
I wiggle my toes
I wiggle my shoulders
I wiggle my nose
Now no more wiggles are left in me
So I will be as still as still can be

____________________________
Traditional Alternate
____________________________

Head Shoulders Knees and Toes
-point to parts as you sing them!

Head shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes, knees and toes
Head shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes, knees and toes
Eyes, ears, mouth and nose!

____________________________

Seasonal Option:

I'm a Dingle Dangle Scarecrow
Real Player Clip
-from the book Head Shoulders Knees and Toes by Zita Newcome

When all the cows were sleeping
And the sun had gone to bed
Up jumped the scarecrow
And this is what he said!

I'm a dingle, dangle scarecrow
With a flippy floppy hat
I can shake my hands like this
And shake my feet like that

When all the hens were roosting
And the moon behind the cloud
Up jumped the scarecrow
And shouted very loud

I'm a dingle, dangle scarecrow
With a flippy floppy hat
I can shake my hands like this
And shake my feet like that

When the dogs were in the kennels
And the doves were in the loft
Up jumped the scarecrow
And whispered very soft

I'm a dingle, dangle scarecrow
With a flippy floppy hat
I can shake my hands like this
And shake my feet like that

I'm a dingle, dangle scarecrow
With a flippy floppy hat
I can shake my hands like this
And shake my feet like that

(the mini storyline that goes along with the chorus is great for leading the kids in a normal voice, a whisper and then a loud voice.)

__________________________

More...

Here are My Hands by Bill Martin
~ Perfect for Laptime, share the book or tell it with actions

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox
~ Great new baby book, but also so very very good for learning that no matter where we were born, we are all the same.

A Beautiful Girl by Amy Schwartz
~ Suitable for Laptime but I can really see the Storytime age kids really getting the humor and having fun with this little book.

Trains!

You know when you have a song stuck in your head? Well, I've had one stuck for a few weeks now. I think my brain is telling me that I have to pass it along and tell it to the world ;)

The song:
Dan Zanes' Catch That Train
OPL Link

I warn you, you listen and you will get it stuck too. From here on out, it's on your head if you continue!

If you are going to ignore my warning, I better at least give you a few ideas to add to your list of Train ideas:


FINGERPLAYS and SONGS


To Stop the Train

To stop the Train
        start with arms going in a back and forth choo choo motion, then hands up in stop motion
In cases of emergency
        hands up waving 
Pull the cord
        pull on an imaginary cord 
Pull the cord
        again
Penalty for improper use
        wag pointer finger in a no-no gesture 
Five pounds!
       make fist and pound palm of other hand

now let's try it faster!

Good job! Let's see how fast you can really go!
...go until you can't anymore - or it's just lost it's fun


Bill Grogan's Goat
(kids repeat each line after you)

Bill Grogan's goat
Was feeling fine
Ate three red shirts
Right off the line

Bill took a stick
Gave him a whack
And tied him to
The railroad track

The whistle blew
The train drew nigh
Bill Grogan's goat
Was doomed to die

He gave three groans
Of awful pain
Coughed up the shirts
And flagged the train

That's all there is
This story's done
I hope you had
A lot of fun


A Peanut Sat on a Railroad Track

A peanut sat on a railroad track.
His heart was all a-flutter
Engine nine came down the track
Toot Toot! Peanut butter!


This is the Choo Choo Train

This is the choo choo train
      bend arms at elbows 
Puffing down the track
      rotate arms forward in train motion
Now it's going forward
      move arms forward, still in train motion
Now it's going back
      arms come back, still in train motion
Now the bell is ringing
      pull bell cord
Now the whistle blows
      pretend to blow a whistle
Everywhere it goes
      arms out


Clickety Clack

Clickety clickety clack
         fists together, side by side then clap on the 'clack'
Clickety clickety clack
         repeat
Clickety, Clickety
        fists together side by side 
Clickety, clickety
          click sides of hands in an 'x'
Clickety, Clickety
         clap, clap
Clack! 
          back to sides of fists together side by side


Big Black Train
(from the Out-of-Print Fireside Book of Children's Songs, by Marie Winn, pub. 1966)
(teach kids the chorus to join in with you - use shakers to keep the beat)

Oh, what do you do with the big black coal
I asked the big black train
Do you really swallow the big lumps whole?

Chorus:
The train said, 'No, I choo,
I choo choo choo choo choo
That's all I ever really do,
I choo choo choo choo choo"

Oh what do you do when the fire gets hot
I asked the big black train
If you swallow flames an awful lot
Your tummy must complain

(repeat chorus)

Oh, what do you do with the big black smoke
I asked the big black train
Do you swallow the smoke until you choke
I wish you would explain

(repeat chorus)



Down by the Station

Down at the station early in the morning
See the little Puffer Bellies all in a row
See the engine driver pull the little handle
Chug, chug, toot, toot
Off they go

_____________________


BOOKS for LAPTIMES

The Rain Train by Elena De Roo (OPL Link)
~perfect laptime or storytime book, pair up with a rain theme and have a lot of fun!

Jiggle Joggle Jee by Laura Richards (OPL Link)
~Fun and rythmic - a perfect storytime and laptime book

Down by the Station by Will Hillenbrand (OPL Link)
~based on the song

Clickety Clack by Rob and Amy Spence

I Saw an Ant on the Railroad Track by Joshua Prince (OPL Link)
GREAT new book for storytime or laptime!

Country Crossing by Jim Aylesworth (OPL Link)
Lots of good action sounds in this - also really good for storytime, not just laptime.

Freight Train by Donald Crews (OPL Link)
~ or take a look at the cool new sliding door board book - Inside Freight Train by Donald Crews

Train Ride by June Crebbin
Billed as a 'Share and Read' book - great to use as a 'repetitive phrase' book for storytimes.

Whoo! Whoo! Goes the Train by Anne Rockwell (OPL Link)

Puff-Puff Chugga-Chugga by Christopher Wormell (OPL Link)

Engine Engine Number Nine by Stephanie Calmenson (OPL Link)

Animals Aboard by Andrew Peters (OPL Link)
A delightful pre-bedtime (or end of storytime) read-aloud option.

Goodnight Train by June Sobel (OPL Link)
Start our fast and fun, then slow way down as the pace changes to get babies in a sleepy mood.


BOOKS for STORYTIMES

Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper (OPL Link)
A must read for every child.

Mailing May by Michael Tunnell (OPL Link)
Set in 1914 young Charlotte May Peirstorff  is shipped via the US Postal Train as a 'chick'; postage due .53 cents. Based on a true story.

An Outlaw Thanksgiving by Emily McCully (OPL Link)
Based the true story of the Thanksgiving Banquet given in Brown's Hole, Utah, in the 1890's. A true WIild West adventure!

Owney, The Mail-Pouch Pooch by Mona Kirby (OPL Link)
The mail train riding stray dog that adopted the New York Post Office and became an official mascot!