If your body dwells on the earth but your head is in the clouds, you will fit right in here at Starry-Eyed Storytimes! I'm a youth associate at a public library who specializes in imagination-building storytimes. I have found the internet to be a great resource for songs, rhymes, book recommendations, games, and crafts to foster learning and creativity in little ones. So I set up my own little space to share my experiences as I travel through a world of story telling.
Outer space is one of my favorite topics to share with young children, so I will launch this new site with a theme that is sure to deliver a sense of wonder and amazement to the kids you read to. The look in their eyes when you introduce little ones to the fascinating things beyond our planet is priceless. So strap into your space suit and buckle up tight. Off we go!
Books
Countdown with Milo and Mouse by Mike Austin
This Rocket by Pual Collicutt
Zoom, Rocket, Zoom by Margaret Mayo
Lead-In
Tell the kids you're going to take a journey into outer space. Ask questions to pique their interest, such as how many planets there are, the names of the planets, which planet we live on, where we get our light, and what we see in the night sky. Then have the children pretend to put on a space helmet and strap on a seat belt while you begin your first book. Use songs and felt board stories to keep their attention and add variety between books.
Songs
★ Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
★ Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
--Hold arms in a large circle above head during this verse.--
The sun is in the sky
The sun is in the sky
Hot and bright it gives us light
The sun is in the sky
--Hold hands in a small circle in front of your chest for this verse,
explaining that the moon is smaller than the sun.--
--Hold hands in a small circle in front of your chest for this verse,
explaining that the moon is smaller than the sun.--
The moon is in the sky
The moon is in the sky
Round and round the earth it goes
The moon is in the sky
--Point finger to multiple spots above your head to the rhythm of the song for this verse,
pointing out "stars" in the sky.--
pointing out "stars" in the sky.--
The stars are in the sky
The stars are in the sky
Sparkling bright, they shine at night
The stars are in the sky
--Open arms to show off all that is around you for this verse,
explain that the name of the planet we live on is Earth (I added this one).--
The earth is where we live
The earth is where we live
We're standing on the earth right now
The earth is where we live
★ If You're Going to the Moon, Wear Your Boots-
to the tune of If You're Happy and You Know It (source)
to the tune of If You're Happy and You Know It (source)
If you’re going to the moon, wear your boots (stomp stomp)
If you’re going to the moon, wear your boots
If you’re going to the moon,
this is what you have to do,
If you’re going to the moon, wear your boots.
If you’re going to the moon, wear your boots.
…wear your gloves (clap your hands)
…wear your helmet (point to your head)
Felt Board Activity
Play a game of celestial I Spy by printing off color images of the sun, the moon, earth, stars, planets, comets, constellations, etc. Laminate the images, cut them out, and glue Velcro to the back. Inform children that you'll be taking a trip through outer space and you'll need their help identifying the objects you encounter along the way. Before showing your first piece, say "I spy with my little eye, something that is in the sky..." and show one of your objects. Have children guess the name or help them if they are unsure. Repeat the rhyme with each additional piece until you've created a space scene on your board. Then, before taking the pieces off, have children rename every object to enhance memorization.
Play a game of celestial I Spy by printing off color images of the sun, the moon, earth, stars, planets, comets, constellations, etc. Laminate the images, cut them out, and glue Velcro to the back. Inform children that you'll be taking a trip through outer space and you'll need their help identifying the objects you encounter along the way. Before showing your first piece, say "I spy with my little eye, something that is in the sky..." and show one of your objects. Have children guess the name or help them if they are unsure. Repeat the rhyme with each additional piece until you've created a space scene on your board. Then, before taking the pieces off, have children rename every object to enhance memorization.
Closure
Tell children that they are going to blastoff like a rocket. Have them sit very still on the floor and slowly stand up during a countdown from 10 to 1. Have them count along with you and as you finish the count, jump into the air and say "Blastoff!" Give the kids a star stamp or sticker before they head to a craft station to make a picture as they leave.
Craft Idea
Have a separate area set up with tables and chairs. Distribute crayons and colored paper in dark shades such as navy and purple. Allow children to draw their own rendition of the night sky.
Additional Resources
Nonfiction books for children wishing to learn more about space:
Explorers: Stars and Planets
Stargazer's Alphabet: Night-Sky Wonders from A to Z
Inside Stars
Crafts for Kids Who Are Wild about Outer Space
Worlds Around Us: A Space Voyage
Destined for Space: Our Story of Exploration
First Space Encyclopedia
Spaced-Themed Music:
Hey, Mr. Spaceman (a fun compilation featuring kid-friendly songs about space)
I hope you have fun if you decide to take your own little journey to outer space. Happy reading!
Tell children that they are going to blastoff like a rocket. Have them sit very still on the floor and slowly stand up during a countdown from 10 to 1. Have them count along with you and as you finish the count, jump into the air and say "Blastoff!" Give the kids a star stamp or sticker before they head to a craft station to make a picture as they leave.
Craft Idea
Have a separate area set up with tables and chairs. Distribute crayons and colored paper in dark shades such as navy and purple. Allow children to draw their own rendition of the night sky.
Additional Resources
Nonfiction books for children wishing to learn more about space:
Explorers: Stars and Planets
Stargazer's Alphabet: Night-Sky Wonders from A to Z
Inside Stars
Crafts for Kids Who Are Wild about Outer Space
Worlds Around Us: A Space Voyage
Destined for Space: Our Story of Exploration
First Space Encyclopedia
Spaced-Themed Music:
Hey, Mr. Spaceman (a fun compilation featuring kid-friendly songs about space)
I hope you have fun if you decide to take your own little journey to outer space. Happy reading!
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