Storytime: D is for Dirt

by | Jan 16, 2024 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 comments

Let’s play in the dirt! Soil, mud, and yes, dirt can be a exploration canvas for your child as he engages in sensory experiences, discovers hidden treasures, and learns about the world underneath his feet. You can also create an indoor sensory experience with dirt playdough, spoons, rocks, toy trucks, etc. Using coffee grinds, sand, brown food coloring, or “clean” dirt in a simple salt dough recipe will turn play dough time into a seriously dirty and muddy experience.

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

We often want to build on our children’s curiosity, but don’t always know the answers to their questions. We can often discover the answers together in books. Knowledge about the world, even in very young children, is key to understanding. Combining a story and a factual book on nature or science helps expand children’s scientific knowledge. ~Lambert

Activity

Read a fiction book like, “Roy Digs Dirt,” with your child. Then read a factual non-fiction book about soil such as, “Under Your Feet.” Talk about soil, what creatures use it as their home, how it is made, etc. You may also want to follow up with the video song by Clint and Bob Moffatt, “Digging in the Dirt.”

Books Presented

Cover of the book Dig In! by Cynthia L. Jenson-Elliott

Dig In! by Cynthia L. Jenson-Elliott

A little boy digs, plays, and explores in his garden.

Book Cover of Roy Digs Dirt by David Shannon

Roy Digs Dirt by David Shannon

Roy is a West Highland terrier who loves to dig in the dirt and mud; sometimes he buries things, and sometimes he finds things, but mostly he just likes to dig–even though he does not like the bath that may follow the digging.
Book Cover of I'm Dirty by Kate and Jim McMullan

I'm Dirty by Kate McMullan

A busy backhoe loader describes all the items it hauls off a lot and all the fun it has getting dirty while doing so.

Book cover of The Pigeon Needs a Bath! by Mo Willems

The Pigeon Needs a Bath! by Mo Willems

The Pigeon is dirty and he needs a bath, but he won’t go willingly

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Five Pigs So Squeaky Clean

Tune: Five Green and Speckled Frogs
Five pigs so squeaky clean
Cleanest you’ve ever seen.
Wanted to go outside and play.
Oink! Oink!
One jumped into the mud.
Landed with a great big THUD
Now there are four  clean squeaky pigs.

Source: Verona Storytime

Five Elephants in the Tub

One elephant in the tub
Going for a swim,
Knock-knock (clap twice), splash-splash (slap knees twice),
Come on in! Ohhhh elephant!

2 . . . 3 . . . 4

Five elephants in the tub
Going for a swim,
Knock-knock (clap twice), splash-splash (slap knees twice),
And they all FELL IN!

Source: Verona Storytime

Crafts and Activities

Jack Russel Terrier digging a hole coloring page

D is for Dirt

Dump Truck Craft

Dump Truck Craft

Make a dump truck from a paper plate

Additional Books

Book cover for Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedman

Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedman

When a field mouse asks Carl the earthworm why he tunnels through the dirt, Carl doesn’t have an answer, so he sets off to find out.

Book Cover for Under Your Feet by Jacqueline L. Stroud

Under Your Feet by Jacqueline L. Stroud

 
Down where worms wriggle and microbes squirm, there’s a whole world waiting to be discovered… Under Your Feet delves beneath the Earth’s surface and explores the diverse wonders hidden there. Encounter creatures of the deep and marvel at the mind-boggling size of the humongous fungus–the biggest organism in the world. Learn how one handful of ordinary soil contains more organisms than there are people on Earth, and carry out experiments using dirt from your own back garden. Under Your Feet offers you the opportunity to expand your knowledge of the natural world and soil-dwelling creatures big and small. Bursting with colorful illustrations and photography, this is the perfect book for budding young plant experts, animal fanatics, and geologists, and anyone who is curious about the ground we walk on.
Book cover for Dirty Gert by Tedd Arnold

Dirty Gert by Tedd Arnold

A little girl who loves playing in the dirt becomes a tree.

Book Cover for Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

When a white dog with black spots runs away from home, he gets so dirty his family doesn’t recognize him as a black dog with white spots.

More Story Times

Storytime: C is for Cupcake

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man, bake me a cupcake as fast as you can! And don’t forget the sprinkles! For this Storytime, we had fun with the letter “C,” cupcakes, and cats. So, spend some time in the kitchen with your child baking some cupcakes and perhaps, read...

FEBRUARY Book Babies + Toddlers: “C” is for Counting

One, two, three, count with me. It’s as easy as can be! Teaching numbers at an early age can be great fun! Here are some fun ways to introduce numbers to your infant or toddler: 👶 0-1 Year (Introduction to Numbers) Talk & Count: Count fingers, toes, and everyday...

Storytime: S is for Snake

Happy Lunar New Year! Did you know that dates of Lunar New Year will change each year with the moons, phases, and it is the most celebrated holiday in many Asian cultures. It’s a time for family gatherings, traditional foods, festivals, red envelopes filled with...

JANUARY Book Babies + Toddlers: S is for Soup

Making and eating soup can be a sensory explosion for you and your child, especially when you make it together. Look for ingredients with a variety of colors, textures, and scents, then talk about where they came from, or count the pieces you’ve cut. Here are some...

Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Old School PoetryThis February, let love take center stage! Stop by our special collections area to type out a heartfelt poem on our vintage typewriter—whether it’s for a dear friend or your favorite pizza. Drop your masterpiece into the submission box nearby if you'd...

Storytime: S is for Simon Says

Let’s play a game! Not only are they fun, but games help children develop vital skills like problem solving, creativity, and memory. They can also boost physical health, develop social skills, and increase a child’s overall sense of well-being. Here are some indoor...

Storytime: S is for Sharks

Did you know that sharks have been around for over 400 million years? They are older than the dinosaurs! They can lose more that 30,000 teeth in their lifetime, and their babies are called pups. A group of sharks is called a shiver, and a person is more likely to die...

Storytime: S is for Soup

Soup is always a good idea! Not only is it delicious and comforting on a cold, chilly day, but making it together with your child becomes a recipe for learning and development experiences. These can include nutritional awareness, healthy eating habits, enhanced motor...

January Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Story TimeJanuary Story Time is serving up something soup-er! Book Babies (infants/babies not yet walking and their caregivers) meet Wednesdays at 9:30 AM with songs, stories, and sensory fun for our "Soup’s On!" theme. (Library Closed Jan. 1) Toddler Time (walking...

December 2024 Programs for All Ages

Winter Safe DrivingFirst time driving on snowy winter roads? Madison Library District is partnering with the Idaho Department of Transportation and the Idaho State Police to keep you safe this winter! Learn strategies to stay on the road, deal with slipping and...

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This