by Lindsey KrabbenhoftJuly 7, 2014November 6, 2015
Jul
7
2014
Last spring my colleague, Tess Prendergast, let me borrow her collection of storytime scarves to use with my preschool storytime group. They were such a hit that I knew I wanted to film some scarf songs for Jbrary. The great thing about scarves is that you can use them with any age – babies, toddlers, preschoolers, even school age kids. If you’ve never tried using scarves with kids before, these videos are a great introduction. You can also follow our scarf playlist or Pinterest board to see new videos as we make them.
1. Popcorn Kernels
We learned this song from Anna at Future Librarian Superhero. The kids absolutely love throwing their scarves in the air, so I’m always looking for songs that incorporate this movement.
2. We Wave Our Scarves Together
Dana learned this song at a Mother Goose training, and I think it’s the perfect combination of a classic tune and a variety of actions (throwing, shaking, waving).
3. Little Bo Peep
I’m always looking for ways to incorporate more nursery rhymes in storytime. I usually do this rhyme 3-4 times with the kids and we hide the scarves in different pieces of clothing.
4. Jack in the Box
Short and sweet, and especially great for toddlers.
5. One Bright Scarf
We learned this one from Loons and Quines. It works great with preschoolers and even K-1 students.
6. Scarf Songs with Stephenee
Sacramento, represent! Imagine my delight when I found a video made by my hometown public library about how to use scarves in storytime.
7. Scarf Song byJAMaROO Kids
JAMaROO Kids is an educational organization based out of San Francisco. They’ve got a great YouTube channel that has lots of ideas Children’s Librarians can adapt and use in storytime. Here’s a scarf song that includes some STEAM teachable moments.
For even more ideas, please check out these wonderful resources:
- Using Props in Storytime: Scarves by Getting Giggles
- Des Colores: Scarf Fun With the Toddlers by Story Time with Library Lady
- Magic Scarves by Rhyme Time
- Using Scarves in Rhymetime by Loons and Quines @ Librarytime
- Scarves in Storytime by Storytime Kids
- Storytime Scarf Love by Future Librarian Superhero
- Scarf Songs by Preschool Express
- Baby Storytime Scarf Activity by LibrErin
- Baby Storytime – Scarves! by Anne’s Library Life
- Early Literacy Storytime: Scarves and Letters by Mel’s Desk
Your videos are so helpful! I do Mother Goose on the Loose too, and I’m always looking for new songs–these are perfect! I’d love to see a similar post on songs for musical instruments like bells, shakers, and rhythm sticks. 🙂 Thanks again for what you do, and for the link!
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Thank you, Erin – I love your blog! We do have an egg shaker playlist so we can definitely write up a post with lots of resources for those. I’ve never used bells or rhythm sticks before, but it’s definitely something I will share as soon as I get the chance to use them with kids. Unfortunately the prop collection at my library is lacking.
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You two are awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment 🙂
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Thanks for posting these! Kids love the scarves and I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate them.
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You’re very welcome! It’s been almost 2 years since I wrote this post, so to see newer scarf songs check out our playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcw3Y8sV0xpvzpB_c3sVKAY42r_qBVQ11
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I would like to know the name of the scarf song tgat goes like “5,4,3,2,1 blossom take me to the sky,take me to the moon,,,,,,,”and children are throwing scarf in the air.we sang it in our public library I can’t find it. Thank you. I love your blog.
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Hi Tabby, I don’t know a scarf song with those exact lyrics, but it sounds similar to Zoom, Zoom, Zoom which can watch here: https://youtu.be/tMJ9pZ9W7jc. If that’s not it you could try asking the folks in the Storytime Underground Facebook group if anyone knows which song it is.
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Oh, someone just suggested it might be a recorded song called Rocketship Run by Laurie Berkner!
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Is there a way to have a print version of these songs?
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I’m guessing you mean the lyrics? If you click “play” on the video and then click the word “YouTube” on the bottom right of the video you will be taken into YouTube. We have the lyrics to every song listed in the description box below the video. I’ve had this feedback before and have now started to list all the lyrics in the actual blog posts.
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Hi Lindsey,
I am a new librarian just starting a babytime program, and would love to purchase some scarves from the program. Do you happen to know where I could get my hands on them? I live in Toronto, Canada, so preferrably from a Canadian shop. Looking forward to incorporating all of these songs into my programs – you guys never cease to amaze me with your content!!!
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We ordered ours on amazon.ca – there are lots of different options there! We also suggest going to any local children’s music stores or even children’s toy stores to see if they have scarves if you want to support a local business. Thanks so much for your kind words – it made my day!
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Hi Alexandra
We purchased some from the educational providers ( I am based in Australia) but the other way that I found some really cool, unusual colors and designs was by going around Charity shops, Thrift stores, Hospice shops or Op shops. Then putting them in a hot machine wash before being used.
Cheers Dan
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