Outreach: Winter Friends Story Time

Last week, I did a sensory story time for a visiting early intervention class of children ages 2 - 4. In addition to a story time, I also give our visiting special education groups a tour of our Special Needs Collection, highlight new items, and give them some "play time" with their chosen materials after. Even though my thoughts are already drifting to summer, a winter theme was requested so I went with a "winter friends" theme! Here's the plan:





Welcome Song: "The Story Time Ball"

Yoga Pose: (Polar) Bear Breath (This adapted pose came from the Yoga Pretzel Card Deck)

Flannel Rhyme: "Five Little Penguins"

One little penguin feeling blue

Called for his brother, then there were two.

Two little penguins swimming in the sea

Called for their sister, then there were three.

Three little penguins waddling on the shore

Called for their mother, then there were four.

Four little penguins learning how to dive

Called for their father, then there were five.

(Adapted from: Read Virginia)

Story: That's Not My Snowman by Fiona Watt

We have a set of these touch/feel board books for each child and caregiver to touch and read together. This is really great for the students with low vision to experience the story better.

Stretch Band Rhyme: "Winter Song"

Way up high in the snowy tree

Lots of little snowflakes smiled at me.

I shook that tree as hard as I could

And down came the snowflakes

Were they cold...Brrr!!

(Source: Preschool Education)

Story: Winter, Winter, Cold and Snow by Sharon Gibson Palermo

This story was a hit!! A great read for those Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? fans.

Story-related sensory activity:

I filled a small plastic bin with Insta-Snow artificial snow and plastic forest animals. Some of the kids with sensory sensitivities were very hesitant until I held a little in my hand for them to touch, then they were all reaching in there to find the hidden animals under the snow. Each time we found an animal, we repeated the refrain from the story: "Winter, winter, cold and snow / Beaver, Beaver who do you know?"

Goodbye song & stretch: "Tickle the Clouds"

Tour of the Special Needs Collection and play time!