Saturday, June 28, 2008

Head Shoulders Baby 1,2,3


This is a good song to use to teach babies and toddlers the names of body parts.
Touch each body part named or perform the action named (clapping, kiss etc).
Use your fingers or the babies fingers to count off the numbers.
The first 2 verses are traditional, rest of the verses are movements I like to use.
Make up more of your own. You can have your baby kick his legs, clap her feet or touch his nose.

Head and shoulders baby
1, 2, 3
Head and shoulders baby
1, 2, 3
Head and shoulders
head and shoulders
head and shoulders baby 1, 2, 3

Knees and ankles baby
1, 2, 3
Knees and ankles baby
1, 2, 3
Knees and ankles,
Knees and ankles,
Knees and ankles baby 1, 2, 3

Touch your toes baby
1, 2, 3
Touch your toes baby
1, 2, 3
Touch your toes,
Touch your toes,
Touch your toes baby 1, 2, 3

Clap your hands baby
1, 2, 3
Clap your hands baby
1, 2, 3
Clap your hands,
Clap your hands,
Clap your hands baby 1, 2, 3

BLow a Kiss baby
1, 2, 3
Blow a kiss baby
1, 2, 3
Blow a kiss,
Blow a kiss,
Blow a kiss, baby 1, 2, 3

As children get older you can add more difficult movements.
Turn around/ Jump up and down...etc.

Friday, June 27, 2008

How Much is that Doggie in the Window?






A great song to sing to children from infancy on up.
You can use a dog puppet or stuffed animal.
You might also want to use pictures or stuffed animals of the other animals mentioned in the song.






How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf)
The one with the waggley tail
How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf)
I do hope that doggie's for sale

I must take a trip to California
And leave my poor sweetheart alone
If s/he has a dog s/he won't be lonesome
And the doggie will have a good home

How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf)
The one with the waggley tail
How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf)
I do hope that doggie's for sale

I read in the papers there are robbers (roof, roof)
With flashlights that shine in the dark
My love needs a doggie to protect him
And scare them away with one bark

I don't want a bunny or a kitty
I don't want a parrot that talks
I don't want a bowl of little fishies
S/He can't take a goldfish for a walk

How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf)
The one with the waggley tail
How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf)
I do hope that doggie's for sale

Thursday, June 26, 2008

The Moose: a Songtale





A Storytelling song or a Songtale

I learned this song at Camp Togowoods in Wasilla, Alaska which is not very far from Anchorage.
This is an echo song. First you, the leader sings, then the children repeat, echo, your words and movements.
Hmm... I will have to add the movements later**smile**.









The Moose

There was a great big moose. (echo)
He liked to drink a lot of juice. (echo)
There was a great big moose. (echo)
He liked to drink a lot of juice. (echo)

Chorus (each line is also echoed):
Say waaaaay-Oh
Way-oh, way-oh, way-oh, way-oh
Way-oh, way-oh
Way-oh, way-oh, way-oh, way-oh

The moose's name was Fred. (echo)
He liked to drink his juice in bed. (echo)
The moose's name was Fred. (echo)
He liked to drink his juice in bed. (echo)

Chorus

He drank his juice with care. (echo)
But he spilled some on his hair. (echo)
He drank his juice with care. (echo)
But he spilled some on his hair. (echo)

Chorus

Now he’s a sticky moose (echo)
Full of juice (echo)
On the looooooooooooooose (echo)

Chorus


This song can be found with different verses all over the net.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

I'm Proud to Be Me

I'm Proud to Be Me

This is a song/poem that I learned while working at a summer camp in Alaska.
I researched it and found the song to be of unknown origins and author.
It's a great song for kids about diversity and tolerance.
(Wish I could sing it for you!!)


I"m Proud to be Me

I'm proud to be me but I also see
You're just as proud to be you.
We might look at things a bit differently
But lots of good people do.

That's just human nature
So why should I hate you
For being as human as I?

We get what we give.
If we live and let live
We'll both get along if we try.

I'm proud to be me, and I also see
You're just as proud to be you.

It's true!

You're just as proud to be you!

Unknown author

The Penny-Wise Monkey...A Jataka Tale

"If you want your children to be smart, tell them stories.
If you want your children to be really smart, tell them more stories.
If you want your children to be brilliant, tell them even more stories."
Albert Einstein


THE PENNY-WISE MONKEY

A Jataka Tale

Once upon a time the king of a large and rich country gathered together his army to take a faraway little country. The king and his soldiers marched all morning long and then went into camp in the forest.

When they fed the horses they gave them some peas to eat. One of the Monkeys living in the forest saw the peas and jumped down to get some of them. He filled his mouth and hands with them, and up into the tree he went again, and sat down to eat the peas.

As he sat there eating the peas, one pea fell from his hand to the ground. At once the greedy Monkey dropped all the peas he had in his hands, and ran down to hunt for the lost pea. But he could not find that one pea. He climbed up into his tree again, and sat still looking very glum.
"To get more, I threw away what I had," he said to himself.

The king had watched the Monkey, and he said to himself:

"I will not be like this foolish Monkey, who lost much to gain a little. I will go back to my own country and enjoy what I now have."

So he and his men marched back home.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Sooo...Why a Blog instead of a Website?....AND The Story of the Dandelion

Well first of all.....the blog is ImageChef.com - Custom comment codes for MySpace, Hi5, Friendster and more


And because it was easiest to do.
I may try a website later.
The other advantage is that its much easier to add things to a blog.
I am thinking of putting up stories, songs, crafts and other fun activities or just random stuff that comes to mind.
Maybe book recommendations...stuff like that.
Hope you enjoy my random postings.
La

Oh...here is a story for you...it's about Dandelions, my favorite flower.
Yes, I know, some folks think it's a weed. WRONG!! It's a beautiful wildflower.



Long, long ago, the flowers had a huge argument about which of them was the most beautiful, the most special, the most loved by the humans and by the fairies. The argument lasted for weeks, with each flower claiming to be the most beautiful and the most loved. Finally, all of the flowers agreed to let the Flower Fairies decide.

The Flower Fairies sent they're gentlest and kindest of spirit fairy to settle the problem and to give one plant her blessing and the title of the "most perfect" flower. The little Fairy decided to test each flower by asking them one question.

The first flower the Fairy talked to was the Rose.
"Where would you most like to live?" she asked it.
"I would like to climb the castle wall." said the Rose. "And then kings and queens and nobles would pass by everyday and exclaim over my beauty, my scent and my delicate nature."
The Flower Fairy walked sadly away from the Rose.

Next the Fairy came to a tulip, standing tall and proud. "Where would you most like to live?" she asked the Tulip.
"Oh, I want to live in a public garden" said the Tulip. "Where everyday people would come and admire my wonderful colors and see how straight and tall I stand." Once again, the Fairy walked a way feeling sad.

She walked until she came to a forest. There she found some Violets. She asked them "Where would you most like to live, little Violets?" "Oh" said the violets quietly "We like it here hidden in the woods where no one can see us and where the trees keep the sun from dulling our beautiful color." The fairy thanked the Violets and walked on looking for more flowers to talk to.

She talked to the Tiger Lily who was much too wild and fierce.
She talked to the Sunflower who barely answered her because all she wanted to do was be warmed by the sun.
The little Flower Fairy talked to the Orchids who only wanted to be taken out to dances and she tried to talk to the Narcissus but it was too busy looking at it's reflection in the water to speak to her.

The little Fairy, with tears in her eyes, was ready to give up and go home when she came to a field with bright fluffy yellow flowers on long thin stalks. The leaves were long and jagged and very close to the ground. But the flowers....oh how happy and cheerful they looked in the field!

"Little one" said the Flower Fairy "What are you called and where would you like to live?"

"I am a dandelion" said the little flower."I'd like to live where ever there are children. I want to live beside the road, and in the meadows, and push up between the sidewalks in the cities, and make everyone feel happier when they see my bright colors." The Dandelion chattered on happily saying "I want to be the first flower that the children pick in the spring and take to their mothers. And I could tell if a child likes butter by being rubbed under their chins, and if a child makes a wish and blows my seeds, I could carry that wish on the wind."

The Flower Fairy smiled brightly and said "Little Dandelion, you are the most perfect and special flower of all and you shall have your wish! You will blossom everywhere from spring till fall, and be known as the children's flower."

And this is why the dandelion comes so early and pushes her head up everywhere with such strength and determination. And why she is so loved by children throughout her long life.
(retold by LLL,Storyteller that's Me!!)

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Hello!

Hi!
ImageChef Custom Images

The Storytelling Sub or Guest Teacher

What does that mean?

As a Storytelling Sub/Guest Teacher, I come to your daycare, preschool or in-home childcare facility and act as teacher/aide etc.
I can help out for a day, a week or a month.

I can and have substituted or taught in daycares, preschools, after school care programs, elementary and middle schools.


Some of my experience includes:
Substitute Teacher for 2 Schools Systems
Also a Sub for a Maryland Preschool Association
Former Kindermusik and Gymboree Play and Music Instructor
Head Teacher for School Age Child Care Special Ed Program
Music Specialist at a Montessori Preschool
Program Coordinator for a Girl Scout Summer Camp
Evening/Weekend Program Coordinator for a College Child Care Center
Numerous years Presenting and Teaching my own Storytelling/Music Programs
Many years as Nanny
Volunteer Docent for the Smithsonian African Art Museum 3years


I also have...
CPR & First Aide Training
Mandt Training Levels 1&2
College Courses in Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Human Development
School Age Child Care and Developmental Delays Coursework



I can fill in for a Teacher's/Care Provider's sick day or vacation or just be a needed extra pair of hands.
I provide fun and educational activities for children of many ages.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Please Pardon My Blankness.......

ImageChef Custom Images

While you are waiting, please check out my storytelling website at LaurenLanitaStorysinger.com .

I should have this blog up and running soon.
Thank you, La