National Chocolate Day is Today!

Break out the chocolate and whip up a cake, make chocolate chip cookies or brownies that will leave you and your family smiling because it's National Chocolate Day!

Get in the "bittersweet" spirit by getting in a chocolaty mood by reading one of these chocolate inspired stories, coloring a coloring sheet or learning more about this creamy and oh-so-delicious holiday!


Fiction 
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Ronald Dahl

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling

Non-Fiction 
Chocolate by Hershey: A Story About Milton S. Hershey by Betty Burford
The Story of Chocolate by Caryn J. Polin

Color a super-sweet coloring page dedicated to this day at Lil-Fingers.com (Scroll down page to view July 7th National Chocolate Day) 
http://www.lil-fingers.com/coloring/specialdays.php

Learn a little more about National Chocolate Day at this HolidayInsights.com page 
http://holidayinsights.com/other/chocolateday.htm

Get a deeper insight into everything chocolate by stopping by the National Confectioner's Association Chocolate Council site: http://www.thestoryofchocolate.com/ to learn what ingredients make this yummy treat, the many types of chocolate, and even where it comes from! A marvelously fact-filled site for the chocolate connoisseur in you!

Go on a chocolate factory tour! See the following website for some of the top chocolate factory tours in the U.S.: http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/28/5-best-chocolate-factory-tours-around-the-u-s/

How Puzzling?: Puzzles and Reading are the Perfect Fit! African Dream by Alan Hicks Produced by Suns Out Puzzle Company

Some may find it rather puzzling that I am quite the puzzle aficionado. There is something special about opening up a puzzle knowing that the thousands of uneven, oddly-shaped pieces create a marvelous work of art which uses both the process of elimination and creativity to assemble.

The puzzle I recently completed happens to be quite appropriate for this book-based blog. It is titled African Dream and exhibits the ingenious artwork of Alan Hicks. I feel there is nothing more beautiful than the scene depicted within this puzzle.

The tenderness of a mother and child reading never fails to pull at my heart strings. The beautiful backdrop of an African fairytale theme absolutely took my breath away with its resilience and fantastical aura.

African fairytales will excite children of all ages with their use of imagery and wordplay. Below you will find some wonderful African fairytales that your children may enjoy.

Anansai Does the Impossible! : An Ashanti Tale by Verna Aardema
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears : A West African Tale by Verna Aardema
Pretty Salma : A Little Red Riding Hood Story from Africa by Niki Daly
Mabela the Clever Retold by Margaret Read MacDonald

The Bathroom Chronicles: Potty Training Resources for Busy Parents

June is National Potty Training Awareness Month. In order to signify the importance of potty training for both toddlers and preschooler I have written the post below. 


Potty training is a major milestone in a child's life. It is associated with greater self-care independence and acknowledgement of ones physical needs. While many parents find potty training more challenging then other developmental milestones, please understand that children are not being difficult if they do not wish to use the toilet at a particular time.


Many times children fear the unknown (even) when it comes down to something we perceive as simple as using the toilet on ones own. Other times, children diets can cause constipation and they associate pain with using the potty. In this case, a change in your child's diet may resolve this issue. Another cause of bathroom issues may be that your child is too preoccupied with a fascinating activity, such as playing with a favorite toy, and may ignore the urge to use the restroom. 


Some of the steps you can use to make potty training easier are simple songs which help children realize the necessities of using the restroom, potty training DVDs with cuddly cartoon characters or children that help establish the normalcy of going potty, creating potty training sticker charts as a form of positive reinforcement each time they successfully complete their potty training, and simple books that can be read numerous times to establish the routine. 


The following are wonderful resources that make potty training easier for both parents and children: 


Websites
http://www.pull-ups.com/na/activities.aspx?phase=0
Items in this section include an iGo Potty App for your iPhone, a wet or dry game, and a personality quiz which cues you in on you child’s potty training style. 

http://www.pull-ups.com/na/article_viewall.aspx?phase=4

These pertinent and informative articles with topics such as overnight toilet training, make potty training a breeze. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsHultPr-wA

Parents TV host Juli Auclair and guests discuss innovative bathroom tips and gadgets which help your child achieve potty training success. 

Parent's Resources
Stress-free Potty Training : A Common Sense Guide to Finding the Right Approach For Your Child by Sara Au 
The Playskool Guide to Potty Training : the Best Strategies, Essential Information, and Practical Advice For Your Toddler's Potty Success by Karen Deerwester 
Potty Training Girls the Easy Way: A Stress-free Guide to Helping Your Daughter Learn Quickly by Caroline Fertlemann 
Potty Training Boys the Easy Way : Helping Your Son Learn Quickly -- Even If He's a Late Starter by Caroline Fertlemann 

DVDs

Go Potty Go! Potty Training for Tiny Toddlers. Produced by Mazzarella Media 

Potty Adventures Potty Training in Easy to Follow Steps for Boys and Girls Produced by Soaring Star Productions  
Sesame Street Elmo’s Potty Time 

Books

My Potty and I: A friend in Need by The Bernstains

Your New Potty by Joanna Cole 

P.J. and the Puppy by Cathryn Falwell 

No More Diapers for Ducky by Bernadette G. Ford 

Once Upon a Potty by Alona Frankel (Boys and Girls editions available)

Potty by Mylo Freeman 

The Princess and the Potty by Wendy Cheyette Lewison 

Sam’s Potty by Barbo Lindgren 

Uh Oh! Gotta Go: Potty Tales From Toddlers by Bob McGrath 

On Your Potty by Virginia Miller 

Going to the Potty by Fred Rogers 

Dinosaur vs. the Potty by Bob Shea 

Potty Time by Guido Van Genechten

Happy Birthday Helen Oxenbury!

Helen Oxenbury was born on June 2, 1938. She is considered by many to be the essential baby storytime author and illustrator! 


The books which she has lovingly illustrated and authored are portraits of sentimentality and the quiet simplicity of infancy. The inspiration for her board books lay in the sleepless nights spent with her daughter who was suffering from infantile eczema. 


Below you will find an interview with the consummate illustrator/author who has made the beauty of pictures speak to even the youngest children. 

Book Review: I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

Physiotherapist Poppy Wyatt is walking on air! She has a comfortable job and is all abuzz over her upcoming nuptials to the brilliant and dashing college professor, Magnus Tavish. To Poppy life can get no better... that is until a dastardly fire drill during an elegant champagne tea changes everything. 


Her stunning family heirloom engagement ring which Magnus had given her is lost during the dizzying mayhem of the fire drill. Frantic Poppy grabs her cell and starts contacting all of her friends who had been trying on the ring during the tea. After searching the hotel premises with no luck and questioning cleaning crews and staff she feels absolutely hopeless. When she doesn't think things could get any worse, trouble comes a knocking! Her cell phone is burgled by a passer-by. 


As a catastrophic feeling of dread begins to settle in Poppy's heart, she spots a cell phone in a trash can at the hotel. The only problem is that the cell belongs to Sam Roxton of White Globe Consulting's  PA (personal assistant), Violet, who hurriedly quit her job and dashed off to a modeling gig. Poppy then proceeds to use her "borrowed" phone's number as a main contact number for the hotel and police in case they find her engagement ring. 


Long story short: Poppy somehow manages to convince hard-as-nails and blunt businessman Sam Roxton to let her use his former PA's phone and send him all of the texts and messages that she receives that are addressed to him. 


This happy-go-lucky story continues in an upbeat manner which is the cornerstone of all Sophie Kinsella novels. While the novel is improbable and ditsy at times (ex. What businessman would let a total stranger use a company phone? and why is a well-rounded, efficient, reliable and intelligent woman so terrified of her over-educated future in-laws?)


Even though Ms. Kinsella's formulaic writing style has become slightly stale the nuances and fast paced dialogue boost its readability. Suave additions such as a bribery scheme at White Globe Consulting and juicy confessions of Mangus's past dalliances make up for any lackluster qualities. All and all an enjoyable and light story that is a perfect beach read! 

May 25th Is National Missing Children's Day

The thought of not being able to locate your child strikes fear into every parent. A million thoughts swirl through your head as you frantically search for your child and speak to every passerby who meets your eye about your child's whereabouts and physical description. 


Sadly, across America, thousands of parents understand and cope with this chilling predicament on a daily basis. 


On May 25th a somber event occurs called National Missing Children's Day. This yearly event was put into effect in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan. 


This day also happens to be the day that Etan Patz disappeared in 1979. This New York born six-year old's story gripped a nation and left an indelible mark which catapulted childhood abduction into the spotlight. 


In recent years the AMBER Alert system has also revolutionized the rescue of missing kids. Through the use of the media such as t.v. crawls and radio announcements many children have been safely located by the public. Learn about the AMBER Alert system by clicking on the following link:  http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=2813


 Thankfully organizations have committed themselves to locating and comforting families of those who are assumed as missing. 


Below you will find links to some of these tremendous and worthy organizations fighting to keep our kids safe and improve the lives of those searching for their lost children. 


Take 25 (Developed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) 
http://www.take25.org/page.asp?page=47 
Please also see "Activity Ideas" from Take 25 to help children understand the importance and seriousness of safety precautions: http://www.take25.org/page.asp?page=68


Please also see the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Homepage where you can search for missing children, find information about how to report a missing child, and learn about ways to protect your children. 
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PublicHomeServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&


Child Find of America's Facts and Statistics about Missing Children 
http://www.childfindofamerica.org/information.htm


Book and DVD About Child Abduction 
Missing and Exploited Children: How to Protect Your Child by Margaret C. Jasper 
Kidz n' Power: Abduction Prevention Pack (DVD) 

Ain't Comic Books Super? Today is Free Comic Book Day!

Grab your cape and nifty superhero gadgets and race down to your local comic book store to receive a free comic book! 

Today, March 5, 2012 is Free Comic Book Day. This "super" holiday glorifies the awesomeness of comic books and the imaginative genius of their creators by giving away free comic books. 

Check out http://www.freecomicbookday.com/Home/1/1/27/992 for more details and to find a local comic book store near you offering these brilliantly illustrated stories!

Mega Magazine of the Month (May) : All You Magazine

I love reading magazines because they provide up-to-date information and stay current on trends surrounding their particular subject matter. 

Magazines offer condensed articles which perfectly summarize only the pertinent and important information which should be discussed and are easily portable. 

Helpful indexes are provided so that one can easily peruse or quickly access the item that has piqued their interest.

I have decided to honor this periodical marvel by showcasing a favorite magazine each month.

My Mega Magazine of the Month for May is the women's general interest magazine All You Magazine.  

The reasons I love this publication are numerous including easy-as-pie household, fashion, and beauty tips which won't break your budget and are doable for the everyday woman and information and stories developed and told by female readers across America.

A major reason I go bonkers for this periodical is that it is chock full of money-saving coupons for brands which I actually use! 

By buying a single issue, I am able to save myself several dollars each shopping trip to the grocery store. 

This magazine is a virtual lifesaver to both my common sense and my wallet!

All You Magazine: www.allyou.com

Continuing the Fight Against ALS: May is ALS Awareness Month

Lou Gehrig's Disease also known as ALS is a debilitating, fatal neurological disease which robs those that it affects from living a normal life. It may start casually enough as a simple limp or numbness in the arm.

It generally progresses quite quickly and can completely ravage and kill its victims within 2-5 years after a confirmed diagnosis. 

It tends to effect more men then women and strikes in middle age. There is no cure and medications can only lengthen life expectancy to a few more months. 

This disease effects every body system including the respiratory (trouble breathing) and digestive system (loss of swallowing reflex and bowels).

The cruelest symptom of the disease is that most* of those suffering from it retain their full mental faculties, which means they completely understand what is happening to their bodies and they are powerless to change the outcome.

*Researchers have recently discovered a form of ALS which affects brain function causing dementia. 

The disease received national press and a widely accepted name, when the famous New York Yankees baseball player, Lou Gehrig, announced his retirement from the game due to this affliction.

According to the ALS Association Approximately 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year.

Thankfully through the work of dedicated scientists, volunteers, advocates, and donations, we are one step closer to finding a cure to this sadistic disease.

Patients, families and caregivers remain hopeful that one day ALS will be a memory instead of a reality.

 Until then, the fight to eradicate Lou Gehrig's Disease marches on!

A cure begins with you! To learn more about ways you can bring public attention and learn more about this disease see the following sites:

Mayo Clinic Fact About ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/DS00359

ALS Association website link which includes a calendar stating 31 ways you can help those suffering with ALS in May, ways to become an advocate and more!

ALS Association

Les Turner ALS Foundation This foundation was named after a Chicago businessman, named Les Turner, who received his diagnosis in 1976. This site offers information on local events, patient services they provide, counseling and support, and research information.

http://www.lesturnerals.org/

Official Lou Gehrig Website

http://www.lougehrig.com/about/als.htm


Books About ALS (Fiction and Non-Fiction) 

Children's Picture Book 

Your Ema Loves You by Eloise Lovelace

Juvenile Non-Fictional Informational 

Lou Gehrig's Disease by Melissa Ambramovitz

ALS- Lou Gehrig's Disease by Mary Dodson Wade

Teen Fiction 

God is in Pancakes by Robin Epstein

Juvenile Fiction 

The Happiness of Kati by Jane Vejjajiva

Adult Fiction 

The First Time by Joy Fielding

Returning to Earth by Jim Harrison

You're Not You by Michelle Wildgen

Adult Non-Fiction (Religious Aspects) Featuring ALS Patients

I Choose Everything: Embracing God in the Face of Terminal Illness by Jozanne Moss

Learning to Fall: The Blessing of an Imperfect Life by Philip E. Simmons

Biography/Autobiography 

Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom

Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig by Jonathan Eig

What a Time to Live: The Autobiography of James B. Hamilton by James B. Hamilton

How Will They Know If I'm Dead?: Transcending Disability and Terminal Illness by Robert C. Horn

Rowing Without Oars by Ulla-Carin Lindquist

This Far and No More: A True Story by Andrew H. Malcolm

Augie's Quest: One Man's Journey From Success to Significance by Augie Nieto

Letting Go: Morrie's Reflections on Living While Dying by Morris S. Schwartz

I Remember Running: The Year I Got Everything and ALS by Darcy Wakefield

Charlie's Victory: An Autobiography by Charlie Wedemeyer

His Brother's Keeper: A Story From the Edge of Medicine by Jonathan Weiner


DVDs

Adult Motion Picture DVD about Lou Gehrig 

The Pride of the Yankees starring Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig 

Adult Informative DVD

ALS Lou Gehrig's Disease (Host Jamie Guth) 

Adult DVD Documentary 

So Much So Fast 

Adult Television Movie 

Tuesdays With Morrie starring Jack Lemmon and Hank Azaria

Ted Koppel Interview with Morrie Schwartz DVD

Lessons on Living 

Medical Sourcebooks 

The Official Patients Sourcebook of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis by Icon Health Publications

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis by Robert G. Miller 

Dynamic DVD Review: Haunted Lighthouses of the Great Lakes

I have been fascinated by the idea of ghosts for many years. It seems romantic and rather monumental that spirits of past loved ones, caretakers, and even animals still roam the earth diligently performing their daily duties as they did in their lifetimes. 


Southport Video Productions riveting documentary, Haunted Lighthouses of the Great Lakes, sheds some light on the paranormal phenomena surrounding the age-old lighthouses of the Great Lakes region. 


Some of the lighthouse captured in this one-hour film include the Gibraltar Lighthouse, Old Presque Isle Lighthouse and the Chambers Island Lighthouse. 


All of the stories retold in this film rely on documented claims of actual visitors, employees, and caretakers of the former lighthouses who fully explain tales of the supernatural events whirling within these maritime beacons of light that have protected sailors for decades. 


One of my favorite stories within this DVD was that of the former keeper of the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse whose light continues to illuminate the Lake Huron skies even after the light was removed (and continues to burn brightly to this day!) 


Even after a U.S. Coast Guard investigation, no one has ever found a fact-based reason to why this light burns so brightly (despite no source of electrical wiring, whatsoever). 


This documentary is for those who love things that go bump in the night, the mystique of maritime history, or those that are interested in the history of the Great Lakes region of the United States. 


An overall impressive and thought provoking film! 

Source of image: www.edmundfitzgerald.com

Mega Magazine of the Month (April) : Mailbox Magazine Preschool Edition

I love reading magazines because they provide up-to-date information and stay current on trends surrounding their particular subject matter. 


Magazines offer condensed articles which perfectly summarize only the pertinent and important information which should be discussed and are easily portable. 


Helpful indexes are provided so that one can easily peruse or quickly access the item that has piqued their interest.


I have decided to honor this periodical marvel by showcasing a favorite magazine each month.


My first Mega Magazine of the Month for April is Mailbox Magazine (Preschool Edition). 


I cherish this magazine because it provides simple, stress-free lesson plans, easy recipes, stupendous circle and storytime ideas and helpful tips submitted by early childhood educators from around the country and the Mailbox Magazine Editorial Team.


I simply devour each issue and use many of its ideas in my toddler and preschool storytimes with great success.


If you are looking for a creative and inspirational resource for designing developmentally-appropriate preschool lesson plans look no further than Mailbox Magazine (Preschool Edition)!

Source of image: Magazineline.com

Taking in the Sites: International Museum Day is May 18th

Ever since I was little my parents have taken me to museums and historical homes.


My very first visit to a historical home was when I was two and a half years old. I toddled around a stunning early 20th century Falaise Mansion in impish glee! The beautiful furniture, soaring ceilings, and elegant surroundings left me breathless and the tour guide in such shock that someone so young could behave during an hour-long house tour without even a whine or peep. To see this museum click on the following link: http://www.sandspointpreserve.org/htm/falaise.htm.


Since then I have never looked back! Even though I may have outgrown my favorite blue sneakers and Rainbow Brite sunglasses my love of history has increased with fervor.


When I step into a museum or historical home, I am awestruck with the history the site has beheld. While many might see an ornate Queen Anne sofa, I see the many delightful teas that glamorous women of a bygone era had partaken on its plush upholstery.


Museums and historical homes breath life into history. They offer us a concrete reminder that there was a time before us and transports us back to that time.


 Museums act as a passport to the sweeping eras that are the fiber of our very history such as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776 which declared our views as an independent free-thinking nation to our British rulers or Fort Raleigh National Historic Site in North Carolina where Sir Walter Raleigh and his band of settlers mysteriously vanished in the late 1500's known today as "The Lost Colony".


These profound moments in history relate to why we think and feel the way we do about our country today. Without those courageous individuals who risked their very livelihood against tyranny and injustice we would not be the worldly, established and strong nation we are today.


What is even more mind-boggling is that we can visit the locations where these events happened and recapture the exhilaration that these early peoples must have felt during these poignant pinnacles of American history.


Why not visit a museum on May 18th (International Museum Day) which celebrates these unique resources contributions to our world?  


Better yet, visit one any day of the year and become entranced with the beguiling beauty of our world's museums, historical homes, and national sites where history truly lives year-round.


I would like to share a list of my favorite museums in the United States which I have visited (I have also provided links to their websites for further information):


Northeast


Walt Whitman Birthplace (West Hills, New York)
World-famous poet Walt Whitman was born in this farmhouse in 1819.
http://www.waltwhitman.org/


Sagamore Hill (Oyster Bay, New York)
Home of president Theodore Roosevelt from 1885 to 1919.
http://www.nps.gov/sahi/historyculture/index.htm


Salem Witch Museum (Salem, Massachusetts)
Museum relates to history of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials
http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/


Midwest


Stacy's Tavern (Glen Ellyn, Illinois)
This is a beautiful 1846 stagecoach inn and the home of the delightful Glen Ellyn Historical Society.
http://gehistoricalsociety.homestead.com/


Benjamin Harrison Home (Indianapolis, Indiana)
One of President Benjamin Harrison's homes situated in the gorgeous city of Indianapolis. Not to be missed!
http://www.presidentbenjaminharrison.org/


Kenosha Public Museum (Kenosha, Wisconsin)
Incredible museum for the entire family which includes a replica of a mammoth, Native American artifacts, The Wisconsin Story, and interesting temporary exhibits.
http://www.kenosha.org/museum/exhibits.html


South


Winterthur  (Delaware) 
Mansion of Henry du Pont. 
http://www.winterthur.org/?p=222


West


Mission San Juan Capistrano (Orange County, California) 
A breathtaking mission founded in 1776. 
http://missionsjc.com/


Winchester Mystery House (San Jose, California)
Weirdly amazing home which contains endless doors, windows and stairways that open to walls and lead to nowhere!
http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/


Ripley's Believe It or Not (San Francisco, California)
Everything strange and outrageous all in one oddly fabulous museum!
http://www.ripleys.com/sanfrancisco/your-visit/inside-the-museum/


Children's Books About Museums


Lunch Lady and the Field Trip Fiasco by Jarrett Krosoczka
The Breakfast Bunch and the Lunch Lady go on a field trip to an art museum.


Museum Trip by Barbara Lehman
A boy enters a museum and becomes part of the exhibit in this wordless picture book.


Fancy Nancy at the Museum by Jane O'Connor.
Fancy Nancy goes on a school field trip to a museum.

Bentley Bookworm's Review of Sometimes I Like to Curl Up In a Ball by Vicki Churchill

The storyline of this cuddly tale invites us into the world of a wacky little wombat who recites all the different activities that are included in his daily schedule. These sweetly wholesome activities include jumping, screaming, and running to his heart's content. Kids will see themselves through wombat's sweet-natured, carefree disposition and triumphant spirit. Vicki Churchill's down-to-earth prose and Charles Fuge's sleepy-eyed, roly-poly wombat character give this book a charm all its own.

Bentley Bookworm 

DIY Storytime Smackdown: Birds

Storytime is a wonderful experience for parents and children to spend time with each other and helps you develop your child's early language and literacy skills.

Tweet, tweet birds are so sweet! Enjoy this feathered friends storytime. 

Storytime chant or song: 

(Clap and dance around enthusiastically as you perform with the children) 

*Tip: Use simple instruments such as a triangle, baby rattle, or even pots and pans to beat out a catchy tune*

Storytime, storytime

here we come

storytime, storytime

we'll have so much fun!

reading, and singing, and dancing around.

come on let's get ready by sitting down!

Storytime chant by Jennifer


Read the following book or books: Limelight Larry by Leigh Hodgkinson  or Twoo Twit by Kes Gray 

Perform this action rhyme: 

Little Birds Action Rhyme 


Little birds, little birds, fly to the door!
Little birds, little birds, sit on the floor!
Little birds, little birds, jump up and down. 
Little birds, little birds, don't make a sound!
Little birds, little birds, tip toe to me. 
Little birds, little birds, peep, peep, peep. 
Little birds, little birds, sleep, sleep, sleep. 


(Source: http://www.greatestresourcechildcare.com/THEME.htm)


Sing the following song: 


(Tip before singing: Show your child several different nests built by different species of birds. Ask your child which nest she would like to live in if she were a bird and why. To reinforce this topic sing the following song and create a matching game by photocopying two sets of several nests. Mix the photocopies up and place face down on a table and have your child flip over one of the photocopied nests. Then have her find the "matching" nest within the photocopied sheets.)


Build A Nest 
(Tune: "The Hokey Pokey") 


You weave some grass in. 
You pull some twigs out. 
You weave some string in 
And you feather it all about. 
You build a lovely nest, 
Sturdy cause you know - 
That's where your eggs will go!


Jean Warren


(Source: http://www.preschoolexpress.com/music_station04/music_station3_may04.shtml)


Use the following rhyme as a fingerplay:

(Perform the following movements with your hands and body as suggested by the rhyme) 


Five Little Ducks
Five little ducks went out one day (flap and waddle like duck)
Over the hills and far away. (make wave motion with hand)
Mother duck said, "Quack, quack, quack, quack." (make talking motion)
Four little ducks came waddling back. (flap and waddle like duck)
Repeat with:
Four little ducks.
Three little ducks.
Two little ducks.
One little duck.
Then Daddy duck said, "Quack, quack, quack, quack."And five little ducks came waddling back.

(Source: http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/preschool-finger-plays.html)


Make a Pete the perky peacock craft!
(This project teaches your child color recognition and physical differences in birds.) 

1. Draw a bowling pin shape for the peacock's body on medium blue paper.
2. Cut out the peacock's body with scissors. 
3. Count out 10 lime green foam Popsicle sticks and set aside. These will be used to decorate the peacock's tail feathers. 
4. Use a large platter as a stencil for the peacock's semi-circle tail feathers. Draw around the platter with a white or light-colored pencil and cut out semi-circle shape. 
5. Select several buttons and fake flat-backed plastic jewels to use as decoration for the peacock. 
6. Find a set of googly eyes. 
7. Cut 2 long strips out of gold or mustard-colored card stock to create the peacock's limbs. 
8. Cut out 2 small hearts from gold or mustard-colored card stock. These will serve as the peacock's feet. 
9. Cut a small triangular beak from the remaining gold or mustard-colored card stock. 
10. Go to the floral section of your craft store and buy a plume of peacock feathers. 
11. Cut 2 peacock plumes off of the peacock floral decoration and set aside. 
12. Begin to glue your lime green foam Popsicle sticks on the blue foam in an evenly spaced semi-circle. You may want to start with the foam Popsicle stick which will be above the peacock's head. You may need to trim the foam Popsicle sticks in order to fit 
13. Glue your 2 peacock feathers onto the top of the  blue semi-circle for peacock's head plumage. 
14. Glue bowling pin shaped peacock body on top of the lime green Popsicle sticks and peacock plumes. 
15. Glue on your 2 googly eyes and small triangular beak to create peacock's face. 
16. Glue buttons onto the blue foam which serves as the peacock's tail feathers. I stacked my buttons to give my peacock a three-dimensional look. 
17. Scatter and glue flat-backed plastic jewels onto the blue foam. 
18. Glue the 2  gold or mustard-colored card stock strips to back of blue foam. These will create the peacock's limbs. 
19. Glue the 2 small gold or mustard-colored hearts bottom-side down to the peacock's limbs. 

Sing a storytime goodbye song:

TICKLE THE CLOUDS 

(Suit actions to words)

Tickle the clouds.

Tickle your toes.
Turn around
And tickle your nose.
Reach down low.
And reach up high.
Storytime’s over –
Wave  goodbye!

(Source: Sunflowerstorytime.com Opening and Closing Songs for Storytime/)