Winter Storytime Pt. 3

Winter this season in the Chicago area has seemed never-ending. We’ve had blizzard upon blizzard upon blizzard. Hence the 3-part winter storytime series! Enjoy. :)

Reading

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Winter in the Forest by Rusty Finch

Singing

Today we recited a little rhyme while playing a guessing game with the felt board. Similar to Little Mouse, children had to guess which color mitten the snowball was hidden behind. Here is how the rhyme goes:

Snowball, snowball, cold and round

Behind which mitten could you be found?

Snowball, snowball, where could you be?

Are you behind the (color) mitten? Let’s look and see!

Extension Activity

Today we read The Snowy Day because of the big snowfall we got overnight and into this afternoon. I hope you were able to get outside with your child today! If not today, then tomorrow. Just like Peter did in our book, make a snowman together, or lay down and make snow angels. Playing in snow is a wonderful sensory experience for your child.

Also, in The Snowy Day, Peter brings a snowball into his house, in his pocket. The snowball melts, but the book never says this outright, it just hints at it. Bring a bowl outside and have your child pack a snowball to put in the bowl. Before you go inside, ask your child what they think will happen to the snowball once you bring it indoors.

Bring the bowl and snowball inside and watch with your child as it quickly melts. Explain that the warm air from inside your house is melting the snow into water, just like Peter's snowball melted and made a wet spot on his coat. This activity helps your child work on making predictions, observation skills, and patience.

If you'd like to listen to this story again, please check out this lovely animated version of the book on YouTube.