Harvest time can be kind of an abstract concept to a lot of young kids, especially if you’re in the city! I live in the Midwest, and though I live in town near my library, our county residents know all things farm and harvest very well. So for many of my storytime kids, this isn’t a new concept.
Introduction: I ask everyone what they know about harvest before singing our hello song. Or possibly what they think of when I say the word Harvest. Sometimes the kids have NO idea what it is, other times we get some great answers!
Sign of the Day: Our sign of the day is “Harvest”. Follow this link to Handspeak.com to see how to sign the word!
Book: Harvest Time by Erica Shores
We start with this brief, nonfiction book to show the process and tools involved in a farm’s harvest. It’s a great introduction without overwhelming a young audience!
Song: Dingle Dangle Scarecrow This is such a fun little action song! I love this one because it combines activity and experimenting with soft and loud voices.
When all the cows were sleeping
And the sun had gone to bed
Up jumped the scarecrow
And this is what he said!
Refrain: I’m a dingle, dangle scarecrow
With a flippy floppy hat
I can shake my hands like this
And shake my feet like that.
When all the hens were roosting
And the moon’s behind the cloud
Up jumped the scarecrow
And shouted very loud.
refrain
When the dogs were in the kennel
And the doves were in the loft
Up jumped the scarecrow
and whispered very soft
refrain
Book: By the Light of the Harvest Moon by Harriet Ziefert
This is kind of a magical little book. When I introduce it, I always talk about how Fall time makes me feel like nature is excited and vibrating, giving us one last show before it hibernates for the winter. The leaf people in this book kind of reinforces my feeling of a magical Fall.
Rhyme: The Harvest Song You can use this as a rhyme or click the title to hear the tune.
The corn is no longer a-waving, (wave arms to & fro)
The farmer has cut it all down, (make a chopping action )
The harvest is here, (gesture outwards with hands)
At this time of the year, (gesture outwards with hands)
And the leaves are all t-u-rning brown. (flutter fingers downwards)
Book: Pick a Circle, Gather Squares: a Fall Harvest of Shapes by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky
The bright colors and game of spying shapes makes this a hit with our preschoolers. They especially love relating their own experiences with pumpkins, apples, scarecrows, hay rides, etc.
Felt: The Little Red Hen by Byron Barton
I like to use our felt board with props for this story. I have dried wheat, a pack of seeds, a toy bag of flour and a cake all with velcro attached so we can put them on the board. The kids are usually really engaged with felt stories I do, but having these 3D items (with the wheat and seeds being real) is even more amazing to the kids.
Closing: We say goodbye with our traditional song, Tickle the Clouds
More Books to Check Out:
Librarian Ginny 