TINY TOT STORIES
(excerpts from posts)
(If you want to retell any of the stories listed below, be sure to obtain permission from the copyright holder if the material is not in the public domain)

1) Ring a Ring O Roses, compiled by the Flint Michigan Librarians over 150 years. This book is full of fingerplays and simple songs and stories for tiny children.
Cost: 13.95 which includes postage.
Flint Public Library
1026 E. Kearsley Street
Flint MI 48502-1994

2) A number of storytelling activities are listed at: http://www.storyconnection.net/activities.htm

3) Squeaky Door -- book by Laura Simms. Kids do all the sound effects.

4) Wide Mouthed Frog -- with a song the kids sing as the frog hops from place to
place:
I'm a wide mouthed frog.
I'm a wide mouthed frog.
I'm just so happy as a wide mouthed frog.
I'm just so happy as a wide mouthed frog. (tune = jazzy one I made up)
I end with: The baby wide mouth frog never ever again sang that song down
by the swamp where the alligators live.

5) Old Lady Who Swallowed the Fly, Fox Went out on a Chilly Night, My Aunt Came Back -- an echo song with body movements.

6) Stories:
The hokey pokey
Going on a bear hunt
The Magic Pot
The Tailor
The Barking Mouse
The Squeaky Door
The Little Train
The Singing Turtle
Caps For Sale
The Belly Button Monster
Sody Sallyrutus
The Snow Queen With The Cold Cold Heart
The Snoops Family
The three little pigs
Old Woman and The Red Pumpkin -- book by Betsy Bang -- kids can join in the
song and growl for the animals
Goldilocks
Gingerbread man
The Turnip -- kids repeat "They pulled, ugh, and they pulled, ugh, but that turnip didn't budge." In Twenty-Two Splendid Tales to Tell from Around the World, Volume One, by Pleasant DeSpain.
Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything -- book by Linda Williams. Kids stand up for this and act out the shoes that go clomp, clomp, etc.

7) Reminded of her Mother -- a version of the tailor story -- kids repeat the title whenever it comes around. See:
http://home.nycap.rr.com/dudding/reminded.html

Master of all Masters -- kids repeat the silly words with Jane.
See http://home.nycap.rr.com/dudding/master.html

The Mitten -- kids repeat the mouse's line and mimic the animals' faces
See http://home.nycap.rr.com/dudding/mitten.html

(I give you all permission to tell or revise it as long as you mention me as your source: Kate Dudding)

8) Judy Nichols' book STORYTIMES FOR TWO-YEAR-OLDS has been invaluable in
shaping Little Listeners.

9) Mortimer by Robert Munsch.

10) Squeaky Door is another repetitive add-on type that is very easy. Young kids feel a great deal of self esteem being able to learn a story to tell in one session.

11) Storytelling to toddler groups.
While I tell to all ages, I have a special fondness for young children.. (I taught preschool for many years!) Seven years ago I found there was a need for storytelling programs just for toddlers. Child care centers, preschools, certain Head Start centers, and early learning centers often say it's hard to find extra enrichment and arts activities for infants, toddlers and two's. That's when I created my Fingerplays, Frolics and Fun program.

While many tellers would run away from 25 -30 minutes of storytelling to a group of all Toddlers and Two's - I find it so much fun and very rewarding. If you are considering such a program, I would love to share some ideas of what works. Use very simple pattern stories, fingerplays (counting stories) done with three dimensional props (stuck to a flannel board), non scarey puppets telling a tale or singing a song, stories with interaction, stories with very simple movements, and lots of rhythm and rhyme. These everyday puzzles and surprises are intriguing to very little children. These story activities allow the children to participate in the telling - perhaps making sound effects, a simple movement or joining in a chant or refrain. This, in turn, encourages them to listen closey. All these activities are highly satisying to small children.

Most of all remember that developmentally, children at this age do move around. Don't think you are "losing" them and feel badly if a few move around a bit. A toddler may stand up and walk away but still be engaged with the story. I love it when a toddler stands up and "bounces" to a beat or rhythm or a story or song.

This past year I've done this program eight different places. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share stories to this group of listeners. So don't be nervous...join in the fun of storytelling programs with toddlers.
Beverly C. 11/11/06
•••••

(This web page updated 8/9/03; 11/12/06)