Storytime Openings and Closings

 

 

Sing a welcome song or say a rhyme each time - see below for examples

Ring a "Storytime bell", bang a drum, or use some other sound to signal the start of storytime

Clap your hands

Flash the lights

Use a special puppet that announces storytime and welcomes the children

 

 

 

Opening Songs and Rhymes: 

---

The More We Get Together

The more we get together

together, together,

The more we get together

the happier we’ll be!

'Cause your friends

are my friends

And my friends

are your friends.

The more we get together

the happier we’ll be!

 

See a video of the signs for this song here

(There are some extra verses as well, if you'd like a longer opening song)

 

 

If You Want to Hear a Story

Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

If you want to hear a story, clap your hands!

If you want to hear a story, clap your hands!

If you want to hear a story,

if you want to hear a story,

if you want to hear a story, clap your hands!

 

Other verses:

“nod your head,”

“rub your tummy,”

“sit so still,” etc.

 

Hands Go Up

Tune: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Hands go up and hands go down,

I can turn around and round.

I can jump upon two shoes.

I can listen; so can you.

I can sit.

I’ll show you how.

Storytime is starting now.

 

 

I'm Glad That You Are Here

I’m glad that you are

here, my friends,

Here my friends,

Here my friends,

I’m glad that you are

here, my friends.

How are you?

 

Welcome, Everyone

Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Welcome, welcome,

everyone

Now you’re here

We’ll have some fun.

First we’ll clap our

hands just so.

Then we’ll bend

And touch our toe.

Welcome, welcome,

everyone.

Now you’re here,

We’ll have some fun.

When Cows Get Up in the Morning

(From Helen and Richard Scholz, Songs Everyone Can Sing)

When cows get up in the morning

They always say “good-day.”

When cows get up in the morning

They always say “good-day.”

Say:

No Way! What do

cows say?

Children respond:

MOOOO

They say “mooo, mooo.”

That is what they say!

They say “mooo, mooo.”

That is what they say!

Continue with other animals

– pigs, cats, horses, etc.

 

If you know all of the children's names, these songs work well:

 

We’ll Clap for You

 

Hello, __________

How are you?

Stand right up

 

And we’ll clap for you.

 

We’re so Glad to See You

Tune: Frere Jacques

Where is ____________?

Where is ____________?

There s/he is.

There s/he is.

We’re so glad to see you

We’re so glad to see you

Peek-a-boo, Peek-a-boo.

Or "Hello, hello"

 

 

 

 

 

Closing Songs and Rhymes: 

---