Fun virtual storytimes filled with great books, rhymes and songs. Watch anytime and sing along!

Storytime at Home

Dial-a-Story

Raising Confident Kids

Smiling little girl with hand on hip, posing in front of blurred grasses and flowers in the background

Disability: Read Up On It!

A Great Big Ball

Rhymes can also introduce your child to different shapes. Recognizing shapes helps your child learn how letters are formed and prepares him to learn the alphabet.

A great big ball, (Make a circle by joining hands over head) A middle-sized ball, (Make a circle by touching fingers and thumbs of both hands together) And a little ball I see. (Make a circle with thumb and index finger) Let’s see if we can count them: One, two, three. (Repeat motions above)

A Great Big Ball Screenshot

Rhyme: A Great Big Ball

There Was a Little Man

Rhymes help prepare your child to sound out words as he learns to read. Personalize or change a rhyme to add variety.

There was a little man, whose colour was of tan,
 I found him in the kitchen, in an old tin pan.
 Although I did not hate him, I broke him up and ate him.
 It did not hurt him one little bit.
 Because that little man, whose colour was of tan,
 Was a gingerbread man!

Child standing

Rhyme: There Was a Little Man

If You're Happy and You Know It

Songs with actions help children break down language into separate words. These songs are fun for you and your child. 

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. (Clap hands) If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. (Clap hands) If you’re happy and you know it, And you really want to show it, If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. (Clap hands) 

Other verses: … stamp your feet. (Stamp feet) … shout “hooray!” (Raise arms above head)

Children jumping

Song: If You're Happy and You Know It

Peek-a-Boo!

Rhymes with actions help children break down language into separate words. Rhyming also helps your child understand that words are made of smaller parts.

Peek-a-boo! Peek-a-boo! (Cover face with hands) I see you! I see you! (Open hands to uncover face) I see your button nose. (Point to your nose or child’s nose) I see your tiny toes. (Point to child’s feet) I see you. Peek-a-boo! (Cover and uncover face) 

Personalize this rhyme by using your child’s name in place of “you.”

Children playing peek a boo with adults

Rhyme: Peek-a-boo!

What Are These For?

Rhymes with actions help your child break down language into separate words. Action rhymes are fun for you and your child. 

What are these for? (Hold up both hands asking) Hands are for folding. (Fold your hands together) And hands are for clapping! (Clap hands together)

Encourage your child to copy your words and actions. Continue with other body parts: Toes – tapping, tickling, etc. Eyes – sleeping, looking, etc. Nose – sniffing, sneezing, etc.

Child and adult sitting while holding hands

Rhyme: What Are These For?

I'm a Little Teapot

Songs that have actions help children break down language into separate words. Consider using everyday objects to help your child visualize the song. 

I’m a little teapot, short and stout. Here is my handle, and here is my spout. (Right hand is on hip, left arm is bent at the elbow with hand pointing to the side) When I get all steamed up, hear me shout. Just tip me over and pour me out.

Child standing with adult

Song: I'm a Little Teapot

There's a Worm at the Bottom of My Garden

Songs with nonsense words and rhymes are helpful for your child to develop the ability to hear smaller sounds in words. Consider having your child make up their own nonsense words to a song. 

There's a worm at the bottom of my garden, And his name is Wiggly Woo. There's a worm at the bottom of my garden And all that he can do Is wiggle all day and wiggle all night-- The neighbours say what a terrible fright! There's a worm at the bottom of my garden, And his name is Wiggly Wig-Wig-Wiggly, Wig-Wig-Wiggly Woo!

Children sitting with adults sitting

Song: There's a Worm at the Bottom of My Garden.

Ring Around the Rosie

Singing with your child prepares your child to sound out words as she learns to read. Sing often as your child loves to hear your voice. 

Ring around the rosie, A pocketful of posies, (Children hold hands and go around in a circle) A-husha! A-husha! We all fall down! (Everybody sits on the floor)

Picking up the daisies, Picking up the daisies, (Children pretend to pick flowers) A-husha! A-husha! We all stand up! (Everybody jumps up)

Children holding hands

Song: Ring Around the Rosie

Head and Shoulders

Songs are a fun way for your child to learn new words and rhythm. Here's a fun song you can add actions to. 

Head and shoulders, Knees and toes, Knees and toes, Knees and toes.
 
Head and shoulders, Knees and toes, Eyes, ears, mouth and nose.

Head and Shoulders Screenshot

Song: Head and Shoulders

Good-Bye

Songs with repetition strengthens connections in your child's developing brain. Consider making up your own song to sing to your child. 

Story time, at story time. That's the end of story time. See you all again another day, For another story time.

Story time, at story time. That's the end of story time. See you all again another day, For another story time.

Good-Bye Screenshot

Song: Good-Bye

Singing helps your child hear the sounds in words and build their vocabulary.

Sing

Talking with your child helps build language and vocabulary skills.

Talk

Reading together is the best way to help your child become a strong reader.

Read

Play is how children learn, and how they come to understand their world.

Play

Writing helps children learn that letters and words represent sounds and have meaning.

Write

Sing songs or rhymes in the language that is most comfortable for you. Young children don't need to understand the words for these moments together to be learning experiences. Songs and music also help your child learn rhythm. 

Sing! (2)

Rhyming helps your child understand that words are made of smaller parts. Nursery rhymes are usually short and easy to remember. They make ideal portable "playthings" for you and your child. Sing, read or say rhymes at any time- at bath or change time, while eating or before bed.

Rhymes and Nursery Rhymes Books (1)

When you march, dance or sing together, you break up words into smaller sounds. Add actions as you sing a song or recite a poem. Actions help children break down language into separate words and sounds.

Ready for Reading

Find fun activities to do with your child

singing

Rhyme: A Great Big Ball

Rhyme: There Was a Little Man

Song: If You're Happy and You Know It

Rhyme: Peek-a-boo!

Rhyme: What Are These For?

Song: I'm a Little Teapot

Song: There's a Worm at the Bottom of My Garden.

Song: Ring Around the Rosie

Song: Head and Shoulders

Song: Good-Bye

singing Tips

Six skills that get your child ready for reading

Liking Books

Hearing words

Knowing words

Telling a story

Seeing words

Knowing letters

Storytime at Home

Dial-a-Story

Raising Confident Kids