Christmas Stories

A. Shake your Christmas Wiggles
I’m gonna shake, shake, shake my Christmas wiggles out
Shake, shake, shake my Christmas wiggles out.
I’m gonna shake, shake, shake my Christmas wiggles out
Shake my Christmas wiggles away.

B. Max’s Christmas by Rosemary Wells

C. Old St. Nicholas
(sing to: Old McDonald)
Old St. Nicholas had a tree
Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho!
And on that tree he had some lights,
Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho!
With a blink-blink here,
And a blink-blink there,
Here a blink, there a blink,
Everywhere a blink-blink.
Old St. Nicholas had a tree,
Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho.
*Horns – toot-toot
*Candy canes – yum-yum
*Drums – boom-boom
*Bells – ring-ring
*Stars – twinkle-twinkle

D. Who’s that Knocking on Christmas Eve? by Jan Brett

E. Reindeer Hokey Pokey
You put your antlers in,
You put your antlers out,
And you shake them all about.
You do the reindeer pokey,
And you turn yourself around,
That’s what it’s all about!

You put your front hooves in,
You put your front hooves out,
And you shake them all about.
You do the reindeer pokey,
And you turn yourself around,
That’s what it’s all about!

You put your fluffy tail in,
You put your fluffy tail out,
And you shake them all about.
You do the reindeer pokey,
And you turn yourself around,
That’s what it’s all about!

You put your whole self in,
You put your whole self out,
And you shake them all about.
You do the reindeer pokey,
And you turn yourself around,
That’s what it’s all about!

F. Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

G. Shake your Christmas Wiggles
I’m gonna shake, shake, shake my Christmas wiggles out
Shake, shake, shake my Christmas wiggles out.
I’m gonna shake, shake, shake my Christmas wiggles out
Shake my Christmas wiggles away.

Easter Stories

A. Shake your wiggles

I’m gonna shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
shake, shake, shake my wiggles out.
I’m gonna shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
shake my wiggles away.

B. Where is it? By: Tonya Hoban

C. Five Little Easter Eggs
(use names given, or use some of the kids names!)

5 little Easter eggs lovely colors wore,
Mother ate the red one,
Then there were 4.
4 little Easter eggs, 2 and 2 you see,
Daddy ate the blue one,
Then there were 3.
3 little Easter eggs, just before I knew,
Sister ate the yellow one,
Then there were 2.
2 little Easter eggs, oh what fun!
Brother ate the green one,
Then there was 1.
1 little Easter egg, I began to run,
I gobbled up the last one,
Then there was none.

D. Happy Easter, Little Critter By: Mercer Mayer

E. Little Bunny Foo-Foo

Little Bunny Foo-Foo (bunny ears with hand)
Hopping through the forest (hop with hand)
Picking up the field mice (scooping motion)
And bopping them on the head (bop one hand in the other)
Down comes the good fairy, (hands rain down)
She said, Little bunny Foo-Foo (bunny ears with hand)
I don’t want to see you (wiggle finger back and forth)
Picking up the field mice (scooping motion)
And bopping them on the head (bop one hand into the other)

(use if kids are restless)
I’ll give you one more chance, and then I’ll turn you into…
(use name of one of the more “outgoing” kids)
repeat Little Bunny Foo-Foo…
Okay! I gave you a second chance! Poof (bop child on head)
you’re (child’s name)!

F. Max’s Chocolate Chicken By: Rosemary Wells

G. Shake your wiggles

I’m gonna shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
shake, shake, shake my wiggles out.
I’m gonna shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
shake my wiggles away.

Flowers

A. Shake your wiggles

I’m gonna shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
shake, shake, shake my wiggles out.
I’m gonna shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
shake my wiggles away.

B. How Does Your Garden Grow? (pop-up book) By: Kate Burns

C. Daffodils Fingerplay
(Show fingers or make daffodil puppets from cupcake liners and craft sticks!)

One little daffodil had nothing much to do,
Out popped another one, then there were two.
Two little daffodils were smiling at a bee,
Out popped another one, then there were three.
Three little daffodils were growing by the door,
Out popped another one, then there were four.
Four little daffodils were glad to be alive,
Out popped another one, then there were five.
Five little daffodils were wearing golden crowns,
They danced in the breeze in green satin gowns.

D. The Rose in My Garden By: Arnold Lobel

E. One Little Flower

One little flower growing just for you. (hold up 1 finger)
Up came another and then there were two. (hold up 2 fingers)
Two little flowers growing near a tree. Up came another and then there were three. (hold up 3 fingers)
Three little flowers growing more and more. (move hand up)
Up came another and then there were four (hold up 4 fingers)
Four little flowers growing side by side.
Up came another and then there were five.
F. Five Little flowers
Five little Flowers standing in the sun (hold up 5 fingers)
See their heads nodding, Bowing one by one (bend fingers several times) Down, down, down Comes the gentle rain (raise hands, wiggle fingers and lower hands)
And the 5 little flowers Lift up their heads again (hold up 5 fingers)

G. A Garden for a Groundhog By: Lorna Balian

H. Shake your wiggles

I’m gonna shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
shake, shake, shake my wiggles out.
I’m gonna shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
shake my wiggles away.

Nursery Rhymes

A. Shake My Wiggles Out

I’m going to…
Shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
Shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
Shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
Gonna shake my wiggles away.

B. This Old Man Illus. Carol Jones

C. Ring Around the Rosie
(Children hold hands and dance around in a circle)

Ring around the rosies
A pocket full of posies;
Ashes, Ashes
All stand still.
(Children hold still)

The King has sent his daughter,
To fetch a pail of water ;
(Children hold hands and dance around in a circle)
Ashes, Ashes
All fall down.
(Children fall to the floor)

The bird upon the steeple,
Sits high above the people;
(Children hold hands and dance around in a circle)
Ashes, Ashes
All kneel down.
(Children kneel)

The wedding bells are ringing,
The boys and girls are singing;
(Children hold hands and dance around in a circle)
Ashes, Ashes,
All fall down.
(Children fall to the floor)

D. This is the House that Jack Built (flannel board)

E. Farmer in the Dell

The farmer in the dell,
The farmer in the dell,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The farmer in the dell.

The farmer takes a wife,
The farmer takes a wife,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The farmer takes a wife.

The wife takes a child,
The wife takes a child,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The wife takes a child.

The child takes a nurse,
The child takes a nurse,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The child takes a nurse.
The nurse takes the cow,
The nurse takes the cow,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The nurse takes the cow.

The cow takes a dog,
The cow takes a dog,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The cow takes a dog.

The dog takes a cat,
The dog takes a cat,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The dog takes a cat.
The cat takes a rat,
The cat takes a rat,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The cat takes a rat.

The rat takes the cheese,
The rat takes the cheese,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The rat takes the cheese.
The cheese stands alone,
The cheese stands alone,
Hi-ho, the derry-o,
The cheese stands alone.

F. Row Your Boat By: Anthony Lishak (pop up book)

G. Shake My Wiggles Out

I’m going to…
Stretch, stretch, stretch my body out
Stretch, stretch, stretch my body out
Stretch, stretch, stretch my body out
Gonna stretch my body away.

Seasons

A. Stop your motion (tip toe)

Clap your hands and STOP your motion.
Turn around and STOP your motion.
Touch your knees and STOP your motion.
Everybody tip toe, tip toe, tip toe around the mountain.
Tip toe, tip toe, tip toe around the mountain.
Tip toe, tip toe, tip toe around the mountain.
Everybody STOP!

(Suit actions to words.)
(Variations: skip around the mountain, hop, tip toe, slide, etc.)

B. Summertime From Porgy and Bess

C. Making Kites

The winds of March begin to blow,
And it is time for kites, you know.

Here’s the way I make my kite;
Watch and help me do it right.

I cross two sticks, so thin and long, (cross pointer fingers)
Tied together good and strong; (Motion of tying)

A String I fasten to each end, (pretend to hold each side of kite)
And across the middle to make it bend;

I measure and cut the paper gay, (motion of measuring and cutting)
And paste along the edge this way; (motion of pasting)

A ball of string to hold my kite, (form circle with fingers)
When it sails almost out of sight;

And here’s my kite all ready to go! (Hands outstretched)
Please, March Wind, begin to blow!

D. One Fall Day By: Molly Bang

E. Autumn
Preschool children can act out the words to this seasonal rhyme.
In autumn when the trees are brown
The little leaves come tumbling down
They do not make the slightest sound
But lie so quietly on the ground
Until the wind comes puffing by
And blows them off towards the sky.
F. Mad Summer Night’s Dream By: Ruth Brown

G. Stop your motion (run)

Clap your hands and STOP your motion.
Turn around and STOP your motion.
Touch your knees and STOP your motion.
Everybody run, run, run around the mountain.
Run, run, run around the mountain.
Run, run, run around the mountain.
Everybody STOP!
(Suit actions to words.)
(Variations: skip around the mountain, hop, tip toe, slide, etc.)

St. Patrick’s Day

A. Shake your wiggles

I’m gonna shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
shake, shake, shake my wiggles out.
I’m gonna shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
shake my wiggles away.

B. Five Little Leprechauns
5 little leprechauns knocked at my door,
1 chased a rainbow and then there were 4.
4 little leprechauns, oh so wee,
1picked up a shamrock and then there were 3.
3 little leprechauns hiding in my shoe,
1 found a toadstool, and then there were 2.
2 little leprechauns dancing in the sun,
1 went in search of gold, and then there was 1.
1 little leprechaun on the run,
He shined his shoe and left for fun.

C. Tim O’Toole and the Wee Folk By: Gerald McDermott

D. The Leprechaun
A leprechaun is small and green, (Use hand to indicate a small person.)
He hides where he cannot be seen. (Cover eyes with hands.)
But if you catch one on this day, (Shake finger.)
He must give his gold away. (Pretend to put gold in pocket.)
E. Leprechaun Gold By: Teresa Bateman

F. Go on a leprechaun hunt
(an adaptation of the Bear Hunt)
Ask the children to listen closely and follow the directions. Instruct
them to clap the rhythm or slap their knees as you tell the story.
Going on a leprechaun hunt. I’m not afraid.
Let’s go! Oh. look! I see a grassy field.
Can’t go around it. Can’t go under it. Can’t go over it. Let’s go through it.
Let’s go! Swish, swish, swish, swish.
Oh, look! I see a giant tree.
Can’t go over it. Can’t go under it. Can’t go through it. Let’s climb it.
Let’s go! Climb, climb, climb.
Oh, look! I see a river.
Can’t go over it. Can’t go around it. Can’t go under it. Let’s Swim it.
Let’s go. Swim, swim, swim.
Oh, look! I see a dark cave.
Can’t go around it. Can’t go under it. Can’t go over it. Let’s tiptoe into it.
Let’s go. Tippy, tippy, toe.
It’s really dark in here. Better turn on my flashlight.
Oh, no. I see something!
It’s mean! It’s green! It’s a leprechaun! Let’s go!
Run! Run! Swim! Swim! Climb! Climb! Swish! Swish!
Whew…safe at home again.
G. Shake your wiggles

I’m gonna shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
shake, shake, shake my wiggles out.
I’m gonna shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
shake my wiggles away.

Valentine’s Day

A. Stop your motion (tip toe)

Clap your hands and STOP your motion.
Turn around and STOP your motion.
Touch your knees and STOP your motion.
Everybody tip toe, tip toe, tip toe around the mountain.
Tip toe, tip toe, tip toe around the mountain.
Tip toe, tip toe, tip toe around the mountain.
Everybody STOP!

(Suit actions to words.)
(Variations: skip around the mountain, hop, tip toe, slide, etc.)

B. Valentine’s Day By: Anne Rockwell

C. Love Bug

It begins with a grin,
It turns to a giggle.
You start to laugh,
Your legs start to wiggle.
You look all around for someone to hug,
Achoo!
You’ve caught the love bug.

D. Four Valentines in a Rainstorm By: Felicia Bond

E. Barney’s Love Song

I love you, you love me,
We’re a happy family.
With a great big hug,
And a kiss from me to you,
Won’t you say you love me too?
I love you, you love me,
We’re great friends as friends should be.
With a great big hug,
And a kiss from me to you,
Won’t you say you love me too?

F. Arthur’s Valentine By: Marc Brown

G. Stop your motion (run)

Clap your hands and STOP your motion.
Turn around and STOP your motion.
Touch your knees and STOP your motion.
Everybody run, run, run around the mountain.
Run, run, run around the mountain.
Run, run, run around the mountain.
Everybody STOP!
(Suit actions to words.)
(Variations: skip around the mountain, hop, tip toe, slide, etc.)

Tot Times Two

The Eensy Weensy Spider
The eensy weensy spider (make climbing motion w/ thumbs and pointers)
Went up the water spout

Down came the rain (wiggle fingers as you lower hands)
And washed the spider out

Out came the sun (make circle above head with arms)
And dried up all the rain
And the eensy weensy spider (repeat spider climbing motion)
Went up the spout again

Pat the Bunny (bk) by Dorothy Kunhardt

Little Bunny Foo-Foo
Little Bunny Foo-Foo (bunny ears with hand)
Hopping through the forest (hop with hand)
Picking up the field mice (scooping motion)
And bopping them on the head (bop one hand in the other)
Down comes the good fairy, She said (hands rain down)
Little bunny Foo-Foo (bunny ears with hand)
I don’t want to see you (wiggle finger back and forth)
Picking up the field mice (scooping motion)
And bopping them on the head (bop one hand into the other)

Baby Faces (bk)

This Little Piggy (you can wiggle your child’s fingers for them)
This little piggy went to market (hold up thumb)
This little piggy stayed home (hold up pointer)
This little piggy had roast beef (hold up middle)
This little piggy had none (hold up ring)
This little piggy cried wee wee wee (hold up pinky)
All the way home (chase fingers up child’s chest)

Animal Kisses (bk) by Barney Saltzberg

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Teddy bear, teddy bear
Turn around (children/parents turn in place)
Teddy bear, Teddy bear
Touch the ground (touch the ground)
Teddy bear, teddy bear
Show your shoe (point to shoe)
Teddy bear, teddy bear
I love you (point to self, heart, kids)
Teddy bear, teddy bear
Give a jump a try (jump in place)
Teddy bear, teddy bear
Time to say good-bye (wave good-bye)

Tot Times One

My Wiggles
I wiggle my fingers.
I wiggle my toes.
I wiggle my shoulders.
I wiggle my nose.
Now the wiggles are out of me,
and I’m just as still as I can be.

Peek a Who? (bk) by Nina Laden

Five Little Piggies
This Little Piggy (you can wiggle your child’s fingers for them)
This little piggy went to market (hold up thumb)
This little piggy stayed home (hold up pointer)
This little piggy had roast beef (hold up middle)
This little piggy had none (hold up ring)
This little piggy cried wee wee wee (hold up pinky)
All the way home (chase fingers up child’s chest)

I’m a Little Teapot
I’m a little teapot short and stout.
Here is my handle, (put one hand on hip)
Here is my spout. (put other hand up in the air)
When I get all steamed up,
hear me shout.
Tip me over and pour me out.
(bend over at waist to the side and stand upright again)
Tip me over and pour me out.

Pat the Bunny (bk) by Dorothy Kunhardt

Little Bunny Foo-Foo
Little Bunny Foo-Foo (bunny ears with hand)
Hopping through the forest (hop with hand)
Scooping up the field mice (scooping motion)
And bopping them on the head (bop one hand in the other)
Down comes the good fairy, She said (hands rain down)
Little bunny Foo-Foo (bunny ears with hand)
I don’t want to see you (wiggle finger back and forth)
Scooping up the field mice (scooping motion)
And bopping them on the head (bop one hand into the other)

Roly-Poly
Roly-poly, roly-poly
up-up-up. (roll hands up)
Roly-poly, roly-poly
out-out-out. (roll hands away from body)
Roly-poly, roly-poly
clap-clap-clap. (clap!)
Roly-poly, roly-poly
Put them in your lap! (put hands in lap)

Noisy Kisses (bk) by Barney Saltzberg

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Teddy bear, teddy bear
Turn around (children/parents turn in place)
Teddy bear, Teddy bear
Touch the ground (touch the ground)
Teddy bear, teddy bear
Show your shoe (point to shoe)
Teddy bear, teddy bear
I love you (point to self, heart, kids)
Teddy bear, teddy bear
Give a jump a try (jump in place)
Teddy bear, teddy bear
Time to say good-bye (wave good-bye)

Tot Times Three

1. Shake My Wiggles Out

I’m going to…
Shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
Shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
Shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
Gonna shake my wiggles away.

2. Little Bunny Foo-Foo

Little Bunny Foo-Foo (bunny ears with hand)
Hopping through the forest (hop with hand)
Scooping up the field mice (scooping motion)
And bopping them on the head (bop one hand in the other)
Down comes the good fairy, She said (hands rain down)
Little bunny Foo-Foo (bunny ears with hand)
I don’t want to see you (wiggle finger back and forth)
Scooping up the field mice (scooping motion)
And bopping them on the head (bop one hand into the other)

3. Pat the Bunny (bk) by Dorothy Kunhardt

4. Shake My Wiggles Out

I’m going to…
Stomp, stomp, stomp my sillies out
Stomp, stomp, stomp my sillies out
Stomp, stomp, stomp my sillies out
Gonna stomp my sillies away.

5. Stop and Go (Listening Skills)

You kick and you kick and you kick and STOP.
You kick and you kick and you kick and STOP.
Kick fast.
Kick slow.
You kick and you kick and you kick and STOP.

6. Peek-a Who? (bk)

7. Shake My Wiggles Out

I’m going to…
Stretch, stretch, stretch my body out
Stretch, stretch, stretch my body out
Stretch, stretch, stretch my body out
Gonna stretch my body away.

8. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

Teddy bear, teddy bear
Turn around (children/parents turn in place)
Teddy bear, Teddy bear
Touch the ground (touch the ground)
Teddy bear, teddy bear
Show your shoe (point to shoe)
Teddy bear, teddy bear
I love you (point to self, heart, kids)
Teddy bear, teddy bear
Give a jump a try (jump in place)
Teddy bear, teddy bear
Time to say good-bye (wave good-bye)

9. Animal Kisses (bk) by Barney Saltzberg

10. Shake My Wiggles Out

I’m going to…
Shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
Shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
Shake, shake, shake my wiggles out
Gonna shake my wiggles away.