Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall…
Nursery rhymes are one of those childhood things that just sit in your mind forever. You can probably still recite several of your favorites.
The capacity of Nursery Rhymes to expand language, introduce rhyme, engage young kids in early literacy are just some of the reasons they continue to be so popular with parents, librarians, teachers, and creators of children’s books.
This storytime is perfect for Babies and Toddlers, but could also be adapted for use with Preschoolers. I even included a bonus activity at the end for those older kids who still love nursery rhymes.
Nursery Rhyme Storytime
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Read + Tell Humpty Dumpty.
Featured Book: Humpty Dumpty
I love this adorable and simple version of Humpty Dumpty. I love the simple text. I love Kubler’s sweet illustrations. I love how it encourages interaction. This is part of a whole series of delightful books for babies and toddlers.
Retell Humpty Dumpty Orally
Tell the story of Humpty Dumpty again, but this time instead of using a book use finger puppets or cute Flannel Board pieces like these ones. If you are working with a small group or just one child, you could also tell it once and then have them help you put the parts in the story in order.
Humpty Bumpty Dumpty by Parragon Books
Once you’re familiar with a story or nursery rhyme it is fun to read a mixed up version. This is a silly nursery mix-up perfect for a young audience. For an older audience I would recommend this alternative version of Humpty Dumpty.
Sing.
1.Egg Shakers + Songs
Humpty Dumpty is another perfect time to pull out your egg shakers. My toddlers and preschoolers cannot get enough of these simple instruments. There are a lot of songs you can do with your Egg Shakers, but here is a good one to start with from Jbrary.
2. Nursery Rhymes Song from Jbrary
I think you could also sing Humpty Dumpty to this tune or just introduce your group to some other nursery rhymes.
Humpty Dumpty Group Activities
Nursery Rhyme Yoga from Pink Oatmeal
Yoga is always a big hit with toddlers. Get them up and moving with a Nursery Rhyme theme with this simple yoga routine.
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Humpty Dumpty Sensory Bin
Have some Easter Eggs laying around still? This is the activity for you.
Materials:
Sensory Table or Container. I used a big plastic storage bin.
Filler – I used shredded paper but rice, cotton balls and pom poms, etc would work as well.
Felt Numbers (optional)
To Create:
Add your filler to the sensory bin and then add the other materials throughout. I always try to make sure I hide plenty under the filler for them to discover as they dig in.
To Play:
I’m a big fan of open ended play with conversation to increase vocabulary and yet be open minded to where the play will go.
Easter Eggs are a great fine motor material for babies and toddlers. They will likely be fascinated with opening and closing the eggs. Let them explore the materials however they want for a while before you model or suggest other ideas.
This activity can also work on:
Matching colors if your Easter Egg tops and bottoms are separated.
Fine Motor: by including something, like numbers, for your child to put in and out of the eggs.
Social Skills: if they have to share the materials and space around the sensory bin.
Language: as you describe what they are doing. You could focus on using color words in your descriptions or number vocabulary, whatever they are currently working on.
Numbers/Counting: When they have found and pulled out all of the numbers and eggs, older toddlers could work on putting the numbers in order and then counting each egg.
Bonus Activity: Nursery Rhymes Find and Color
My 5 year olds still enjoy Nursery Rhymes, but I wanted to make a quick activity that they could also do since they are less impressed by Sensory Bins these days. If you have an older child, this might give them something to do as well while your toddler enjoys the sensory play.
Print off a free copy of the Nursery Rhymes Find and Color (link below) for each child and lay out with some markers or crayons. There is a key at the bottom for them to look for, count, and color a variety of nursery rhyme related items.
Easy!
BONUS Free Printable: Nursery Rhyme Find and Color
More Nursery Rhyme Activities
My Virtual Book Club for Kids co-hosts have even more fun Nursery Rhyme related activities for you!
5 Little Ducks Counting and Story Re-Telling Activity from To Be a Kid Again
5 Little Ducks Literacy Activity from Mama Smiles
Hickory Dickory Dock Clock Play from Teach Beside Me
Nursery Rhyme Find and Color Free Printable from My Storytime Corner
Rainstorm Art Project for Rain, Rain Go Away from Preschool Powol Packets
I’m a Little Teapot Pour Painting from Toddler Approved
Little Jack Horner Paper Plate Pie Craft from JDaniel4’s Mom
The Itsy Bitsy Spider Printable Book from Growing Book by Book
This looks like such a fun activity!
Thank you!
We loved the Child’s Play version of Humpty Dumpty and other rhymes.
Me too! They were some of our favorite books when my twins were babies.