This lesson is a part of my ABC Storytimes series.
Books
For Reading Aloud
Tickling Tigers by Sean Taylor
Reading for Early Literacy Tips
- This story tell children different places to tickle each animal. Ask them to tickle themselves on these body parts throughout the story, tummy, underarm, etc.
- Occasionally ask children, “What’s this animal?” by pointing at the illustrations, before revealing it through the text.
Night Train, Night Train by Robert Burleigh
Reading for Early Literacy Tips
- The story provides you with a great rhyming rhythm. You may also consider singing the repetitive verse “night train, night train….”
- The gorgeous illustrations use gray tones with a splash of color here and there. Those bright colors on the black and white background lend themselves to asking “what color is this?”
Additional Letter “T” Books
Three Grumpy Trucks by Todd Tarpley
Monkey Truck by Michael Slack
Snakes on a Train by Kathryn Dennis
Activities
“I’m Toast in the Toaster”
I had a pretty rowdy bunch this week, so this activity didn’t go over as I wanted it to, but it’s very cute!! I found it on King County‘s website.
- Ask children to step inside the toast (take a step back)
- Put your hands out in front and push down the lever!
- Now sing:
I’m toast in the toaster
And I’m getting very hot!
Tick, tock,
Tick, tock
Up I pop!
“Down By the Station”
This is one of favorite children’s songs to play on the radio with my toddler. It’s super cute, gives us a great chance to make fun sounds, and helps us practice counting! Use with 3-5 flannel trains and have fun!
“Down By the Station”
Down by the station early in the morning
See the little train cars all in a row
See the engine driver turn the little handle
Puff puff, choo choo, off we go!
(remove one train, count, and repeat)
“What’s in My Toolbox?”
For this activity, I made a small toolbox, and some flannel “tools.” We sang the following rhyme and then pulled out tools one by one.
“What’s in My Toolbox?”
What’s in my toolbox, my toolbox, my toolbox,
What’s in my toolbox, that we’re working with today!
Sing rhyme, then pull something out of the toolbox!