Did you ever see a builder, a builder, a builder? (rock baby gently from side to side) Did you ever see a builder saw this way and that? (lean baby side to side) Saw this way and that way and that way and this way. (lean baby forward and back and side to side) Did you ever see a builder saw this way and that? (gently rock baby side to side)
Additional verses will be available in the manual and include: a painter, a driver, a digger, a crane, and a mixer. While included in the baby section, I think that this song would work great for toddler and preschoolers too. You'd just need to come up with actions.
The Construction Worker Song
Sung to the tune of "This is the Way the Ladies Ride." Make appropriate gestures and motions throughout.
This is the way we hammer the nails, hammer the nails, hammer the nails. This is the way we hammer the nails so early in the morning.
Repeat with other actions, such as:
Saw the wood
Turn the screw
Stir the paint
Paint the walls
Stack the bricks
Drive the truck
This could easily work with babies, toddlers, or preschoolers.
Flannel or Magnet Board Stories
Red Crane, Red Crane
Using the template that will be available, create one of each vehicle, each in a unique color. Told like the Brown Bear, Brown Bear story.
Red crane, red crane, what do you see? I see a yellow digger looking at me.
And so on.
After Story Activities
Stacking
Put out blocks and stacking cups for babies and caregivers to stack and knock over together. Encourage caregivers to talk about the objects and help babies balance items on top of each other. This is a great way to work on fine motor skills, sorting, and building vocabulary. This is a good activity for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Here is an example. This is a great activity to encourage your parents and caregivers to play once they leave the library as well.
Block Party!
Set out a variety of blocks for toddlers to explore. Include wood, foam, and plastic blocks, as well as boxes, board books and other unique building materials. Encourage caregivers and toddlers to build towers, make structures, and knock them down.
Hammer Time!
Have Styrofoam blocks and golf tees available for the preschoolers to practice hammering with.
Build with Boxes
Collect boxes of all shapes and sizes. Encourage preschoolers to build and explore the boxes at the end of storytime, or as a stand-alone program. Provide magic markers or other art supplies to encourage families to be even more creative.