This first Thursday of every month I donate my time and talents to our local library.  I lead a story time for the little ones in our community.  I started the story time when I think our daughter was 3.  I missed taking her like I had taken the boys when we lived in Cedar Rapids and I wanted to give her those same opportunities but without driving an hour round trip.  So, I offered to lead one at our library and it has been going ever since.  Out of all the volunteering I do, this is MY FAVORITE.  Today we had 9 kids and they are always so excited to come to story time.  The best part is when the kids see me out and about in the community.  I get the biggest hugs! So even though I am doing the giving – I think I am the one who gets the most from it!

I love selecting the book and theme for the month.  Then looking for songs, finger-plays, craft and a snack to tie it all in.  I am so thankful for the internet, as I have found lots and lots of ideas there.  My other favorite resource is THE MAILBOX.  It is a teacher resource book that is shipped every couple months.  I know that the teachers in our school use it and it has also given me great ideas.  I also have a story time friend, Lucy the Lamb.  She is a puppet and helps welcome the kids each time with our story time song.

Today’s story time theme was Fall.  I read the book I SEE FALL by  Charles Ghigna and AG Jatkowska.  We also sang a song while dropping different colored leaves.  Our craft today was to make a fall tree.  I don’t remember where I found this idea, but it worked really well for our group of 2-3 year olds.  You could also change this up for a Apple theme using red and green tissue paper.

Items Needed:
Blue Construction Paper
Brown Construction Paper
Red, Orange, Yellow, Purple, and Green Tissue Paper
Glue (Elmer’s liquid glue works best)

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