Tag: sensory story time

Star Story Time – Sensory Friendly

Opening Song

Book: Star in the Jar by Sam Hay, illustrated by Sarah Massini
The cover of the book Star in the Jar. The illustration shows two children looking at a jar that has a star inside.

Rhyme: “Star Chant” (pass out star cutouts to each of the children)
Put your star shape in the air, (hold in the air)
Hold it high and keep it there.
Put your star shape on your back, (reach back and put star on back)
Now lay it on your lap. (put star on lap)
Put your star shape on your toes, (touch star to toes)
Now hold it by your nose. (touch star to nose)
Hold your star shape in your hand, (stretch hand out in front of you)
Now everyone please stand. (have children stand up)
Wave your star shape at the door, (face door and shake star)
Now touch your star to the floor. (touch star to floor in front of you)
Hold your star in your hand and jump, jump, jump, (hold star and jump up and down)
Now toss your star shape way, way, up! (toss star up in front of you)

Book: Touch the Brightest Star by Christie Matheson
The cover of the book Touch the Brightest Star. The illustration is of a night sky with a big bright star and several woodland creatures.

Song: “Tap, Tap, Tap” – Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer: Get Set for School Sing Along

Movement/Yoga: Star

Social Story: Twinkle, Twinkle, You’re a Star! by John John Bajet
The cover of the Baby Shark and Friends book Twinkle, Twinkle, You're a Star! The illustration shows a smiling yellow star in the middle with sea creatures surrounding it.

Closing Song

Craft: Pipe cleaner and bead star
Colorful beads are strung onto a pipe cleaner, which is bent into a star shape.

Cat Story Time – Sensory Friendly

Opening Song

Book: Floof by Heidi McKinnon
The cover of the book Floof. The illustration is of a fluffy gray cat.

Song: “If You’re a Kitty and You Know It” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re a kitty and you know it, lick your paws. (pretend to lick paws)
If you’re a kitty and you know it, lick your paws. (pretend to lick paws)
If you’re a kitty and you know it, and you really want to show it.
If you’re a kitty and you know it, lick your paws. (pretend to lick paws)

Additional verses:
Show your claws (show claws)
Swish your tail (wiggle bottom)
Chase some yarn (swat high)
Say “Meow!”

Book: No Cats in the Library by Lauren Emmons
The cover of the book No Cats In the Library. The illustration is of a librarian pushing a book cart and frowning at a cat sitting outside the library doors, looking in.

Song/Video: “Dance for the Sun” – Kira Willey: Dance for the Sun

Yoga/Breathing: Cat

Social Story: I’m Sorry by Janet Riehecky
The cover of the book I'm Sorry. The cover art is a photograph of a boy looking concerned and saying, "I'm sorry."

Closing Song

Craft: Cats in sweaters
A photograph of cardboard cut into cat shapes viewed from the front. Colorful yarn is wrapped around each cat's torso like a sweater.
(Credit: Krokotak)

Bird Story Time – Sensory Friendly

Opening Song

Book: Little Robin’s Book of Birds by Yuval Zommer
The cover of the book Little Robin's Book of Birds.

Song: “If I Was a Bird” – Old Town School of Folk Music: Wiggleworms Love You

Book: Early Bird by Toni Yuly
The cover of the book Early Bird.

Song: “Tap, Tap, Tap” – Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer: Get Set for School Sing Along

Movement: Learn the yoga pose “eagle”

Social Story: Excuse Me by Janet Riehecky
The cover of the book Excuse Me.

Closing Song

Craft: Bird nest craft
Colorful bird nest pictures made by drawing a swirly nest with crayons and then gluing paper birds, leaves, and eggs on top.
(Credit: Krokotak)

Airplane Story Time – Sensory Friendly

Opening Song

Book: Airplanes by Byron Barton

Song: “The Airplane Song” – Laurie Berkner: Whaddaya Think of That?

Book: Little Plane Learns to Write by Stephen Savage

Song: “Tap, Tap, Tap” – Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer: Get Set for School Sing Along

Yoga: Airplane pose

Social Story: “Saying Goodbye” from Quinn at School: Relating, Connecting, and Responding at School by Rick H. Warren
Quinn at School: Relating, Connecting and Responding - A Book for ...

Closing Song

Craft: Airplane coloring sheet with cotton ball clouds

Snow Story Time – Sensory Friendly

Opening Song

Book: I’m Going to Build a Snowman by Jashar Awan

Song: “Let’s Play in the Snow” – Rachel Buchman: Sing a Song of Seasons

Book: Just One Flake by Travis Jonker

Song: “Tap, Tap, Tap” – Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer: Get Set for School Sing Along

Yoga: Snow angel pose
(Credit: Kid Minds)

Social Story: “Waiting Your Turn” from Quinn at School: Relating, Connecting, and Responding at School by Rick H. Warren
Quinn at School: Relating, Connecting and Responding - A Book for ...

Closing Song

Craft: Snow painting with Q-tips and white paint

Trains Story Time – Sensory Friendly

Opening Song

Book: The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, illustrated by George and Doris Hauman

Song: “On the Railroad Train” (Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”)
The conductor on the train says, “All aboard!” (motion to “Come on in!”)
“All aboard! All aboard!”
The conductor on the train says, “All aboard!”
On the railroad train.

Additional verses:
The freight worker says, “Load ’em up!” (move arms from low to high)
The brakeman says, “Hitch up those cars!” (link both hands in front of you)
The engine on the train goes chugga-chugga-choo (make a circular chugging motion)
The wheels on the train go clickity-clack (clap hands)
The whistle on the train goes “Whoo-whoo-whoo!” (pretend to pull a train whistle)

Book: I Love Trains! by Philemon Sturges, illustrated by Shari Halpern
I Love Trains book cover

Song/Video: “Dance for the Sun” – Kira Willey: Dance for the Sun

Yoga: Train – staff pose
(Credit: Kids Yoga Stories)

Social Story: Frankie’s Train Day!: A Story About Emotional Expression and Regulation by Aron Accurso, illustrated by Leo Trinidad and Monique Dong

Closing Song

Craft: Make your own train picture with paper shapes and crayons

Thanksgiving Story Time – Sensory Friendly

Opening Song

Book: Thank You for the Little Things by Caryl Hart, illustrated by Emily Hamilton

Song: “If You’re Thankful and You Know It” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re thankful and you know it, then your face will surely show it.
If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands.

Additional verses:
Stomp your feet
Say “Thank you!”
Do all 3

Book: Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes, illustrated by Doris Barrette

Song: “Mat Man” – Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer: Get Set for School Sing Along

Yoga: Child’s pose

Social Story: “Raising Your Hand” from Quinn at School: Relating, Connecting, and Responding at School by Rick H. Warren
Quinn at School: Relating, Connecting and Responding - A Book for ...

Closing Song

Birthday Story Time – Sensory Friendly

Opening Song

Book: How to Have a Birthday by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Cindy Derby

Song: “Can’t Wait to Celebrate” – Jim Gill: Jim Gill’s Irrational Anthem

Book: A Birthday for Cow! by Jan Thomas

Song: “Tap, Tap, Tap” – Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer: Get Set for School Sing Along

Yoga: Happy birthday candle

Social Story: Brownie & Pearl Step Out by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Brian Biggs
Brownie and Pearl Step Out

Closing Song

Craft: Decorate party crowns with stickers

Cloud Story Time – Sensory Friendly

Opening Song

Book: From Rain Clouds to Rainbows by Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by John Wallace (Only read the first story)

Song: “If You’re a Cloud and You Know It” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re a cloud and you know it, float around, (raise arms to side and sway) x2
If you’re a cloud and you know it, then you’ll really want to show it,
If you’re a cloud and you know it, float around.

If you’re a cloud and you know it, make it rain, (move fingers down to ground like rain) x2
If you’re a cloud and you know it, then you’ll really want to show it,
If you’re a cloud and you know it, make it rain.

If you’re a cloud and you know it, make it thunder, (stomp feet) x2
If you’re a cloud and you know it, then you’ll really want to show it,
If you’re a cloud and you know it, make it thunder.
(Credit: Storytime with Ms. Kelly)

Book: Little Cloud by Eric Carle
Little Cloud book cover

Song/Video: “Dance for the Sun” – Kira Willey: Dance for the Sun

Yoga: Cloud pose
(Credit: Good Night Yoga: A Pose-by-Pose Bedtime Story by Mariam Gates, illustrated by Sara Jane Hinder)

Social Story: “Playing and Sharing” from Quinn at School: Relating, Connecting, and Responding at School by Rick H. Warren
Quinn at School: Relating, Connecting and Responding - A Book for ...

Closing Song

Craft: Streamer and cotton ball rainbow clouds