Craft Activities for Kids: Green and Speckled Frogs

Reading stories aloud together is a great way to educate at home. The bonding experience builds vocabulary, improves comprehension, and promotes speech development. Adding a craft builds on story time learning; practicing motor skills and creativity while reminding the child of themes and words from the story. It becomes active engagement (in the same way that adding the movement of Bendy Bookworm’s yoga poses do) in order to benefit the child’s optimal ability to learn through play.

Try this craft (Ideal for ages 4-9 years old). Pair it with “Luna’s Map” by Danielle Fisher for a Story Time and Craft Activity.

Cognitive Skills: vocabulary, pattern recognition, and visual processing (practiced during the Story Time)
Motor Skills: coloring, cutting, and glueing (practiced during the craft)
Emotional Skills: friendship, courage, independence (learned in “Luna’s Map”)

Materials: 

• Color Markers, Crayons, or Washable Paint

• Green and Red Construction Paper or White Paper

• 1 Toilet Paper Rolls

• Pencil and Scissors

• Glue

• Googley Eyes

Step One: 
*Color the toilet paper roll by using color markers, crayons, or washable paint.
I added “speckles” using dots of fabric paint but you can glue down cut out circles OR just have an un-speckled frog!
*When the paint has dried: fold in one end, open it, and cut along the fold. Fold in the other end and leave it folded in.

Step Two: 
*Cut out 4 frog legs from the green construction paper (or white and then color in). You can use a similar shape as mine (shown in the picture) or cut out your own variation of frog legs!
*Cut a spiral “frog tongue” from the red construction paper (or white and then color in). You can use a similar shape as mine (shown in the picture), roll up a strip of paper, or cut out your own variation of a frog’s tongue.

Step Three: 
*Glue it all together!

5 Green and Speckled Frogs Lyrics

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Bendy Brings The Letter A

ABC Kids Yoga For Ages: 2-5 years old

In this Bendy Bookworm Yoga video for kids, children will move-to-learn the letters of the alphabet. Bendy the Bookworm, our letter loving friend, brings the letter A for us to see, say, and sign!

Children will move-to-learn as they practice the following developmental skills-
Educational Skills: learning the alphabet, learn the letter A
Motor/Physical Skills: balance, core strength, flexibility
Emotional Skills: friendship, confidence, perseverance

You did it!! You learned the letter A! Here is your Coloring Sheet Award:

Craft Activities for Kids: Dragons

For Children Ages: 3-7 years old

Reading stories together out loud is a great way to educate at home. The bonding experience builds vocabulary, improves comprehension, and promotes speech development. Adding a craft builds on story time learning; practicing motor skills and creativity while reminding the child of themes and words from the story. It becomes active engagement (in the same way that adding the movement of Bendy Bookworm’s yoga poses do) in order to benefit the child’s optimal ability to learn through play.

Try this dragon craft. Pair it with “Attack of the Underwear Dragon” by Scott Rothman for a Story Time and Craft Activity.

Cognitive Skills: vocabulary, pattern recognition, and visual processing (practiced during the Story Time)
Motor Skills: coloring, cutting, and glueing (practiced during the craft)
Emotional Skills: courage, creativity, and facing challenges

Materials: 

• Color Markers, Crayons, or Washable Paint

• Two Paper Plates

• Pencil and Scissors

• Glue/ Hot Glue Gun (with adult supervision)

• Popsicle Stick

• Optional: Googley Eyes, Glitter, Stickers, etc.

Step One: 
*Color 1 paper plate in half and draw wigs on one half. On the second paper plate, draw the dragon’s head and tail. You can draw a similar pattern to mine by using the picture below as a guide.

Step Two: 
*Cut out and color/paint the shapes.

Step Three: 
*Glue it all together!

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Bubblegum: Kids Sing Along Bubblegum Song

Kids and Toddler Yoga For Ages: 2 years old - 8 years old

In Bendy Bookworm Yoga motion sing along song for kids, children will move-to-learn as they practice the following developmental skills-
Educational Skills: visual processing (mirroring movement), memorization, saying the words in their heads without speaking them out loud
Motor/Physical Skills: rapid motion changes
Emotional Skills: confidence, silliness, imagination

Lyrics:
There was some bubblegum (open and close hands)
And it got in her hair (pat head)
A pair of scissors (arms move out and in)
and a pile of grass (wiggle fingers down)
a bunny (bunny ears)
a kitty (kitten paws)
a bacon-y, noodle-y mess (wiggle arms around)
da na na na na na, da na na na na naaaa

Each time you repeat the song, drop a line: complete the hand motions without words

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Indoor Activities with Kids: I Spy With My Binoculars

Reading stories aloud together builds vocabulary, improves comprehension, and promotes speech development. By adding a craft to the experience, you continue to build on story time learning; practicing motor skills and creativity, while reminding the child of themes and words from the story. It becomes active engagement (in the same way that adding the movement of Bendy Bookworm’s yoga poses do) in order to benefit the child’s optimal ability to learn through play.

Try this craft (Ideal for ages 5-9 years old). Pair it with “Luna’s Map” by Danielle Fisher for a Story Time and Craft Activity.

Cognitive Skills: vocabulary, pattern recognition, and visual processing (practiced during the Story Time)
Motor Skills: drawing shapes, cutting, and glueing (practiced during the craft)
Emotional Skills: friendship, courage, independence (learned in “Luna’s Map”)

Materials: 

• Color Markers, Crayons, or Washable Paint

• Construction Paper or White Paper

• 2 Toilet Paper Rolls

• Pencil and Scissors

• Glue or Double Sided Tape

• Washi Tape (optional)

• Yarn and Single Hole Puncher

Step One: 
*Cut the Construction Paper to the length and width of the toilet paper roll (so you’ll be able to roll the construction paper around the toilet paper roll for full coverage). You can also use washable paint, washi/duct tape, or just color the outside of the toilet paper rolls.
*Decorate Paper BEFORE attaching it to toilet paper roll. You can use crayons, flitter, stickers, etc.

Step Two: 
*Attach the construction paper to the Toilet Paper Rolls. I put a strip of double sided tape on either end of the backs of my construction paper rectangles but using glue will work just as well. If you use glue, allow for dry time before moving on to step three.

Step Three: 
*Use Washi Tape or another strip of construction paper to connect to two toilet paper rolls. I used washi tape but to be honest, it was challenging and didn’t come out as well as I’d hoped. If I was to do the craft again, I’d try glueing the two toilet paper rolls together (along the sides) first and then use the washi tape/ strip of construction tape more for the visual effect.
*Once you’ve connected the two toilet paper rolls, use a single hole punch on the both of the barrels (on the outside). Tie one end of the yarn to either hole to create your neck strap.

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Quack Quack Quack: Kids Duck Song

For Child Ages: 18 months- 8 years old

In Bendy Bookworm Yoga motion sing along song for kids, children will move-to-learn as they practice the following developmental skills-
Educational Skills: visual processing (mirroring movement), memorization, spatial awareness ("up high/ down low/ in the middle")
Motor/Physical Skills: crossing the midline, wrist flexibility
Emotional Skills: confidence, silliness, imagination

Lyrics (Tune- Do Your Ears Hang Low):
Wave your hands up high (wave hands above head)
Wave your hands down low (wave hands low)
Wave your hands in the middle (criss cross arms across midline)
and wiggle just so (wiggle fingers)
Stick your elbows in the front (hands to shoulders, touch elbows in front/at midline)
Stick your elbows in the back (hands stay at shoulders, draw elbows behind)
Bring your hands to your sides (twirl wrists before bringing them, palms facing out, to sides)
and Quack Quack Quack

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If this Book was a Pose: All Tied Up

Bendy Bookworm Yoga for Kids Pose: All Tied Up
Cowface Pose with Eagle Arms or Gomukhasana with Eagle Arms

Physical movement promotes children’s education. When you add a kids yoga pose to the reading experience, you're creating a physical memory of the book which promotes the learning process. Read the book, try the pose, and watch how movement and play supports a child’s education!

Move to this book with me:

Toddler brains are wired to use slow, stretched out, musical sounds to build early brain connections and memorization skills. While this Polar Bear song, from the Bendy Bookworm Video “A Polar Bear in Snow”, is JUST FOR FUN, watch how quickly your child will have the words AND the hand motions memorized! You can use this sing song principle by teaching a rhyme or song to help them learn something new, retain the information, and later recall it.

Sing Along to the Bubblegum Song with me:

Make a Cat craft with me:

Craft Activities for Kids: Cat

For Children Ages: 4-8 years old

Reading stories aloud together is a great way to educate at home. The bonding experience builds vocabulary, improves comprehension, and promotes speech development. Adding a craft builds on story time learning; practicing motor skills and creativity while reminding the child of themes and words from the story. It becomes active engagement (in the same way that adding the movement of Bendy Bookworm’s yoga poses do) in order to benefit the child’s optimal ability to learn through play.

Try this cat craft. Pair it with “On Account of the Gum” by Adam Rex for a Story Time and Craft Activity.

Cognitive Skills: vocabulary, pattern recognition, and visual processing (practiced during the Story Time)
Motor Skills: coloring, cutting, and glueing (practiced during the craft)
Emotional Skills: patience, inventiveness, humor

Materials: 

• Color Markers, Crayons, or Washable Paint

• Two Paper Plates

• Construction Paper or White Paper

• Pencil and Scissors

• Glue/ Hot Glue Gun (with adult supervision)

• String

Step One: 
*Color two paper plates using washable paint, tissue paper, makers, or crayons.
I choose to paint my cat brown to match the cat in the story.

*When the paper plates are dry, cut one in a spiral pattern.

Step Two: 
*Cut out 4 cat paws legs out of construction paper or white paper and color to match the paper plates. You can use a similar shape as mine (shown in the picture) or cut out your own variation of cat paws!
*Cut out 1 nose, 2 yellow eyes, and 2 cat ears. You can use a similar shape as mine (shown in the picture).

Step Three: 
*Glue it all together!

WANT TO PRACTICE MORE LITERACY, MOTOR, AND COGNITIVE SKILLS THROUGH
THE BENDY BOOKWORM YOGA METHOD?

Hug Yourself: Kids Motion Meditation

Hug Yourself: Kids Motion Meditation
For Ages: 18 months- 8 years old

In this motion meditation for kids video, children will move-to-learn as they practice the following developmental skills-
Motor/Physical Skills: crossing the midline, shoulder/neck stretch
Emotional Skills: self-love, compassion, affection

Directions:
Reach your arms out wide, parallel to the ground.
Wiggle the right fingers, across the body, to touch the left shoulder.
Wiggle the left fingers, across the body, to the touch the right shoulder.
Hug yourself.
Turn the head to the left shoulder and kiss the right hand.
Turn the head to the right shoulder and kiss the left hand.

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Kids Groundhog Song

Groundhog Children’s Song
For Ages: 18 months- 8 years old

In this video, children will practice mirroring motion, memorization, and prediction.

Groundhog Song (Tune: MMM AHH)
Lyrics-
Blink. Blink. Groundhog opened his eyes one day.
Blink. Blink. Groundhog opened his eyes.
Blink. Blink. Groundhog opened his eyes one day.
And he went to look outside.

Shine. Shine. Sun was extra bright and warm that day.
Shine. Shine. Sun was extra bright and warm.
Shine. Shine. Sun was extra bright and warm that day.
Groundhog went to look outside.

But he didn't just run outside, did he? Nooo....

We know Groundhog peeked his nose out first.
Peeked his nose out first. Peeked his nose out first.
We know Groundhog peeked his nose out first.
And what do you think he saw?

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Snowball Fight: Kids Motion Meditation

Snowball Fight: Motion Meditation
For Ages: 18 months- 8 years old

In this video, children will move-to-learn as they practice the following developmental skills-
Educational Skills: memorization, repetition, focused attention
Motor/Physical Skills: body part recognition, moving isolated body parts
Emotional Skills: releasing pent-up feelings, using motion to re-focus

Want to move with me?
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Yo Te Amo Children's Song

Yo Te Amo Song: A bilingual love song
For Ages: 18 months- 8 years old

In this video, children will have an opportunity to express feelings of love and learn about language. It introduces cultural awareness, expresses love, and uses the power of melody to help your child learn the words, retain the meaning, and recall the emotional connection.

It’s also perfect for those children that prefer to show affection through words instead of touch!

Lyrics:

Yo te amo, yo te amo
All day long I’ll sing this little song to you.
Yo te amo, yo te amo
Darling

I love you! I love you, I love you
All day long I’ll sing this little song to you.
I love you, I love you Darling I love you!

Add in additional languages for the words "I love You"
French: Je t’aime, Je t’aime
All day long I’ll sing this little song to you.
Je t’aime, Je t’aime Darling I love you!

**The lyrics are by Uncle Ruthie Buell.

Want to Sing “Yo Te Amo” with me?
Check out my next FREE Live Story Time Class:

If this Book was a Pose: Polar Bear

Bendy Bookworm Yoga for Kids Pose: Bear Pose
Upright Seated Angle Pose or Urdhva Upavishta Konasana

Physical movement promotes children’s education. When you add a kids yoga pose to the reading experience, you're creating a physical memory of the book which promotes the learning process. Read the book, try the pose, and watch how movement and play supports a child’s education!

Move to this book with me:

Toddler brains are wired to use slow, stretched out, musical sounds to build early brain connections and memorization skills. While this Polar Bear song, from the Bendy Bookworm Video “A Polar Bear in Snow”, is JUST FOR FUN, watch how quickly your child will have the words AND the hand motions memorized! You can use this sing song principle by teaching a rhyme or song to help them learn something new, retain the information, and later recall it.

Sing the Polar Bear Song with me:

For more move-to-learn videos for your toddler, click the button:

Let’s go on an adventure!

“Let’s go on an adventure!”: A felt video for practicing balance.
For Ages: 18 months- 8 years old

In this Mini Adventure video, we bring out our Bendy Bookworm Adventure Felt Kit and use them together!!

Children will move-to-learn through yoga as they practice the following developmental skills-
Cognitive Skills: Auditory processing (listening and following directions), Visual processing (mirroring movement), and Matching
Motor/Physical Skills: Balance, Balance, Balance
Emotional Skills: Resilience

Want to purchase your own Bendy Bookworm Felt Kit?

Black History Month: Books For Tweens

Welcome to Black History Month!! Now is the perfect opportunity to open your home to the incredible accomplishments, discoveries, and undeniable influence the African American culture has had on America. USE this time to showcase talent, creativity, and genius! Investigate, learn, and admire their history and their impact!

Teach your children inclusivity and empathy by ALWAYS adding new ideas into their environment; have what they hear, the artwork they see, the books they read, and the toys they play with reflect diversity and love!

Consider reading these stories together to encourage moments of discussion and bonding; add Black authors to your bookshelves. PLEASE use this list as a starting point to enjoy stories that celebrate Black talent:

The Magic in Changing Your Stars by Leah Henderson
For Ages: 8- 12 years old
For Purchase: The Lit. Bar: Bookstore & Chill

Serena Says by Tanita S. Davis
For Ages: 8- 12 years old
For Purchase: The Lit. Bar: Bookstore & Chill

Ikenga by Nnedi Okorafor
For Ages: 10- 12 years old
For Purchase: The Lit. Bar: Bookstore & Chill

Something to Say by Lisa Moore Ramee
For Ages: 8- 12 years old
For Purchase: The Lit. Bar: Bookstore & Chill

Better Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renee Watson
For Ages: 10- 14 years old
For Purchase: The Lit. Bar: Bookstore & Chill

From the desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
For Ages: 8-12 years old
For Purchase: The Lit. Bar: Bookstore & Chill

COLDER WEATHER KEEPING YOUR TWEENS INSIDE MORE! HELP THEM TO STAY PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND MENTALLY STRONG THROUGHOUT THE COLDER SEASON BY ALLOWING THEM TO MOVE WITH ME IN ANY OF MY FREE VIRTUAL YOGA CLASSES.

Black History Month: Books For Children

Welcome to Black History Month!! Now is the perfect opportunity to open your home to the incredible accomplishments, discoveries, and undeniable influence the African American culture has had on America. USE this time to showcase talent, creativity, and genius! Investigate, learn, and admire their history and their impact!

Teach your children inclusivity and empathy by ALWAYS adding new ideas into their environment; have what they hear, the artwork they see, the books they read, and the toys they play with reflect diversity and love!

Reading stories aloud together builds vocabulary, improves comprehension, and promotes speech development. It also provides moments of discussion and bonding. I encourage you to add Black authors to your bookshelves. PLEASE use this list as a starting point to enjoy stories that celebrate Black talent:

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly and Laura Freeman
For Ages: 4-8 years old
For Purchase: The Lit. Bar: Bookstore & Chill

A Night Out with Mama by Quvenzhané Wallis
For Ages: 4-8 years old
For Purchase: The Lit. Bar: Bookstore & Chill

All Because You Matter by Tami Charles
For Ages: 4-8 years old
For Purchase: The Lit. Bar: Bookstore & Chill

I Promise by LeBron James
For Ages: 4-8 years old
For Purchase: The Lit. Bar: Bookstore & Chill

Welcome to the Party by Gabrielle Union
For Ages: 18mo.- 4 years old
For Purchase: The Lit. Bar: Bookstore & Chill

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes
For Ages: 3-7 years old
For Purchase: The Lit. Bar: Bookstore & Chill

Rise!: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou by Bethany Hegedus
For Ages: 7-10 years old
For Purchase: The Lit. Bar: Bookstore & Chill

Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell
For Ages: 7-10 years old
For Purchase: The Lit. Bar: Bookstore & Chill

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard
For Ages: 4-8 years old
For Purchase: The Lit. Bar: Bookstore & Chill

WANT EVERYTHING A STORY TIME CAN OFFER? ADD IN BENDY BOOKWORM YOGA; MOVEMENT YOUR CHILDREN CAN PRACTICE ON THEIR OWN. THEY WILL GAIN ALL THE BENEFITS OF A READ A LOUD STORY TIME PLUS PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT THROUGH MOVEMENT!

Why I stopped using "Mommy" and "Daddy" in Story Time

This Vlog is for Librarians, teachers, any adults that are educating diverse groups of children:

In this video I talk about exclusive language we use without thinking. When educating or caring for diverse groups of children, it is important that we are hyper aware of the language we choose in order to make ALL children feel welcomed, safe, and accepted.

FOR MORE TIPS AND TRICKS LIKE THIS ONE, SIGN-UP FOR MY EMAIL LIST
BY CLICKING THE BUTTON BELOW

Indoor Activities with Kids: For the Birds

Reading stories aloud together builds vocabulary, improves comprehension, and promotes speech development. By adding a craft to the experience, you continue to build on story time learning; practicing motor skills and creativity, while reminding the child of themes and words from the story. It becomes active engagement (in the same way that adding the movement of Bendy Bookworm’s yoga poses do) in order to benefit the child’s optimal ability to learn through play.

Try this craft (Ideal for ages 6-9 years old). Pair it with “Luna’s Map” by Danielle Fisher for a Story Time and Craft Activity.

Cognitive Skills: vocabulary, pattern recognition, and visual processing
Motor Skills: drawing shapes, cutting, and glueing (practiced during the craft)
Emotional Skills: friendship, courage, independence

Materials: 

• Color Markers, Crayons, or Washable Paint

• Construction Paper or White Paper and Crayons

• Paper plate

• Pencil

• Scissors and Glue

• Optional: Googley Eyes, Feathers, Glitter, Etc.

Step One: 
*Paint or color the paper plate.

Step Two: 
*Draw a diamond on a piece of orange construction paper (or white paper and then color orange) for the bird’s beak.
*Cut out the diamond and fold across. Cut out about 6 other strips of colored construction paper (or white paper and then color the strips in) for the bird’s tail feathers.

Step Three: 
*Once dry, fold your paper plate in half.
*Glue on googley eyes (or draw your own), the tail feathers, the beak, and any other additional decorations you want to add to jazz up your bird (I added feathers)!!

WANT YOUR OWN COPY OF LUNA’S MAP FOR MORE ADVENTURES?
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The Bendy Bookworm Yoga Method

Children are their own initiators. They WANT to explore; they are insatiably curious observers and are eager to learn. It’s our job as care-givers, teachers, and parents to provide them with the tools necessary in order for them to master their own actions and emotions. At Bendy Bookworm Yoga, we believe children are anti-fragile and deserve to be seen, taught, and supported with these tools: balance, breath, and bravery. The Bendy Bookworm Yoga Method harnesses their innate need to explore and applies it towards learning and practicing these tools to nurture their growth, development, and learning.

*The Bendy Bookworm Yoga Method teaches Hatha yoga; directing intentional movement on different cognitive skills such as balance, focus, and body awareness/control.

*We use story adventures to practice higher level thinking/processing and language/emotional development.

*We teach challenging poses that train perseverance and patience.

The combination of yoga and literacy/education is a seamless pairing; both provide ample opportunities for cognitive skill drills, ignite children’s imagination, and supports emotional understanding. The physical poses of yoga are an integral part of the learning process.

The Bendy Bookworm Yoga Method creates an opportunity to move the body and simultaneously work the mind. The children that participate in Bendy Bookworm classes are learning through play because above all, making the classes fun and interactive is what we’re here for!

WANT TO TRY THE BENDY BOOKWORM YOGA METHOD?
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The Rainbow Song

The Rainbow Song: A song video intended to teach the color order of the rainbow.
For Ages: 18 months- 8 years old

Want ways to make "Luna's Map" interactive? Use this song when you reach the page with the rainbow spread across the sky!!

In this video, children will learn through song as they practice the following developmental skills-
Cognitive Skills: color order, memory storying and retention

Lyrics:
First comes red and orange too
Bright, bright yellow
Green and blue
Purple ends the pretty rays
Mostly seen on rainy days
First comes red and orange too
Bright, bright yellow
Green and blue
...And don't forget PURPLE!
Adapted slightly from Jbrary's version.