Storytime: W is for Waiting
Storytime: W is for Waiting
In this era of instant gratification, waiting or patience can be a difficult concept for anyone to learn, especially children. But we can assist them in developing this essential skill by giving them experiences, talking about why and how to wait, and the benefits of doing so. The skills of waiting and self regulation helps children develop successful classroom behavior, and it will come in handy when they start school.
Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.
Ages 2-5
Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play
Tip
Waiting is not easy, but it can be one of the most important concepts a child can learn. For some children, it comes naturally, and others, it’s difficult. Determine the waiting expectations for your child and find opportunities to hone their waiting skills.
Activity
Because repeating an activity helps children become more comfortable and responsive to it, try playing “Stop! And wait…” with familiar games like, “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” or “Walking, Walking.” For more information and activities, visit Scholastic Parents Teaching Patience
Books Presented
Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems
Miss MacDonald has a Farm by Kalee Gwarjanski
In this female-forward spin on the traditional children’s song, readers meet Miss MacDonald on her vegetable farm and learn about gardening, seasons, plant-based meals, and local produce
When You Have to Wait by Melanie Conklin
A mindful, gentle picture book about patience and learning to find beauty in the act of waiting
Pete the Cat Hickory Dickory Dock by Kim Dean
Hickory dickory dock. Pete the Cat went up the clock! The clock struck one. The cat went down. Hickory dickory dock.
Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays
There’s Something in the Barn
Open up the barn door, the spring goes “Boink.”
There’s something in the barn, saying, “Oink, oink, oink.”
Open up the barn door before the clock strikes two.
There’s something in the barn, saying, “Moo, moo, moo.”
Open up the barn door, it’s a sunny day.
There’s something in the barn, saying, “Neigh, neigh, neigh.”
Open up the barn door, singing, “Tra-la-la.”
There’s something in the barn, saying, “Blaa, blaa, blaa.”
Open up the barn door, while the sky is blue.
There’s somehing in the barn, saying, “Cock-a-doodle-do!”
Crafts and Activities
W is for Waiting - English and Spanish
Coloring page created with Canva and Elephant and Piggie Coloring Pages
Elephant and Piggie Headband Craft
Additional Books
Waiting by Kevin Henkes
Five animal toys wait for marvelous things to happen.
Ten on a Twig by Lo Cole
Illustrations and an easy-to-read countdown rhyme follow ten birds that, one by one, fall off the twig on which they were sitting, but the last one finds a surprise waiting.
Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown
When a man brings to a remote village two burros, Alfa and Beto, loaded with books the children can borrow, Ana’s excitement leads her to write a book of her own as she waits for the BibliBurro to return. Includes glossary of Spanish terms and a note on the true story of Columbia’s BiblioBurro and mobile libraries in other countries.
Tofu Takes Time by Helen H. Wu
Lin makes tofu with her grandma and discovers that patience brings a whole universe together in a simple dish made by a modern Chinese American family
