Little Bodies Big Feelings with Miss Regina, South Holland Public Library
Thank you to Miss Rosie, who has shared her co-worker’s storytime plan for one of her SEL (social emotional learning) sessions.
This plan is a thing of beauty, and imminently achievable, even if you have the traditional British ‘stiff upper-lip’ when it comes to talking about your own feelings.
We have made some changes, in the songs we recommend. I haven’t listed books to read — as we have various lists for these.
This is not a proscriptive plan, but a starting point for you to develop your own sessions, based about SEL and feelings.
~ Anne.
Welcome Song:
Tune: Frere Jacques
I am special, I am special,
As can be! As can be!
Everyday I’m learning,
Everyday I’m learning,
Sing with me!
Sing with me!
Storytime Solidarity Theme Song:
CHORUS:
Will you come to storytime, to storytime, to storytime
Will you come to storytime in solidarity?
VERSE 1
We’ll sing songs together
Read books together
Get to know each other better —
We’re all in this together.
Will you come to storytime in solidarity?
CHORUS
VERSE 2
We are young and old,
From places hot and cold,
Our gifts are manifold
Together we are whole —
Will you come to storytime in solidarity?
CHORUS
Feelings Check-In
Ask your storytime friends: how are you feeling today?
Story:
You could use the same songs for a series of storytimes, and change the books.
Each session could focus on a different emotion – or emotions.
Shaker Song:
The more we read together,
Together, together
The more we read together
The happier we’ll be.
Read big books and small books
And short books and tall books
The more we read together
The happier we’ll be.
Story:
Think about the flow of your session.
Maybe your second book is more reflexive? Or, an up and about book, to get the mid-storytime wiggles out.
Song:
Read, Read, Read a Book
Tune: ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat’
Read, read, read a book,
Travel anywhere,
Worldwide, you decide,
A book will take you there.
Read, read, read a book,
Beginning to the end,
What a way to spend the day,
A book’s a special friend.
When I’m feeling happy,
Zappy, tappy, clappy,
I stretch my arms and I say, “Wow!”
I feel happy now.
…
When I’m feeling sad,
So very, very, bad.
I say, “Hey, it’s okay!
If I cry today.”
…
When I have a worry,
I feel it in my tummy.
I close my eyes
And visualize
My favorite place to be.
…
When I’m feeling angry,
Zangry, tangry, bangry.
I don’t hit, and I don’t shout,
Instead I breathe it out.
[Take a deep breath, blow it out slowly with open hands.]
Poem:
When you’re feeling
not quite you,
There are things
that you can do.
…
Draw a picture,
sing a song,
Put your favorite
music on.
…
Read a book,
get some rest.
Even just say,
“I feel stressed.”
…
Stretch your body,
Hug a pet,
There are even
More ways yet.
…
You can think of some, I bet!
Story:
What are your favourite books about emotions?
Are you prepared to read a book about sadness, in front of an audience?
Be prepared, just in case.
I remember doing a Readers Theatre of a Charlie and Lola book about the library, and almost cried when throwing myself into the role of Lola, I said ‘but, that’s my book Charlie.’
So, check in with yourself. How are YOU feeling today?
Sign Language Practice
I have not included a specific sign here, as your community may use different sign languages.
For example, I am in Aotearoa New Zealand, and we use NZSL. My neighbours use Auslan.
Perhaps you’d like to use signs from many languages, depending on your group.
Affirmation:
I Am
I am great! (Arms wide)
I am smart! (Fingers to head)
I am strong! (Flex muscles)
I am loved! (Hug yourself)
Today is an awesome day! (Jump in the air, fist pump)
Storytime Solidarity Theme Song:
CHORUS:
Will you come to storytime, to storytime, to storytime
Will you come to storytime in solidarity?
VERSE 1
We’ll sing songs together
Read books together
Get to know each other better —
We’re [G7] all in this together.
Will you come to storytime in solidarity?
CHORUS
VERSE 2
We are young and old,
From places hot and cold,
Our gifts are manifold
Together we are whole —
Will you come to storytime in solidarity?
CHORUS
Feelings Check-In
How are you feeling today?
Maybe they feel different than last time you checked.
Goodbye song:
We Wave Goodbye Like This
Tune: Farmer in the Dell
We wave goodbye like this.
We wave goodbye like this.
We clap our hands for all our friends.
We wave goodbye like this.
Goodbye, Goodbye to you
Goodbye to me and goodbye to you too
Goodbye, Goodbye to you
Goodbye to me and goodbye to you
Goodbye to me and goodbye to you
