Storytime: W is for Waiting

by | Apr 23, 2024 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 comments

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

Book cover for Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems

Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems

Piggie tells Gerald she has a surprise for him, but it is not there yet so Gerald must be patient.
Book cover for Miss MacDonald Has a Farm by Kalee Gwarjanski

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

Book cover for When You Have to Wait by Melanie Conklin

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

Book cover for Pete the Cat Hickory Dickory Dock by Kim Dean

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

Waiting is not easy coloring page featuring Elephant Gerald and Piggie

W is for Waiting - English and Spanish

Coloring page created with Canva and Elephant and Piggie Coloring Pages

 

Elephant and Piggie headband craft

Elephant and Piggie Headband Craft

Additional Books

Book cover for Waiting by Kevin Henkes

Waiting by Kevin Henkes

Five animal toys wait for marvelous things to happen.

Book cover for Ten on a Twig by Lo Cole

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.

Book cover for Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown

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.

Book cover for Tofu Takes Time by Helen H. Wu

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

More Story Times

Story Time: S is for Sledding and the OlympicS

You don’t need snow when you have your imagination! You can sit in a basket, box, or even the bathtub! So, jump on a “sled” and join us in a downhill adventure with these books and activities about the Winter Olympics and sledding!Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at...

FEBRUARY Book Babies + Toddlers: Snow

Winter is a magical time of “firsts” for a baby or toddler… first snowflake, white world, or cold nose. Even if there isn’t snow outdoors, you can introduce them to new textures like a fleece scarf, fuzzy mitten, or even a smooth ice pack wrapped in a towel with...

Story Time: S is for Snow and Winter OlympicS

Enjoying a snowy day with your child is the perfect time to teach them about healthy competition. As you play, you can talk about: How to win and lose gracefully Encouraging all participants Congratulating the winner The value of cooperation and teamwork Feeling proud...

Kid ‘n’ Tween Activities February 2026

Story Time and Early Literacy Join us this February for Early Literacy Programs as we explore a snowy theme! Toddler Time (Ages 1-3, walking toddlers & grown-ups) - Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:30 AM in the Community Room. Enjoy songs, stories, and sensory building...

Story Time: Something NEW, Just for YOU! in January

New books are great! If you haven’t had a chance to visit the library lately, you should come in and check out our section of New Non-fiction Books in the Children’s section. Non-fiction fuels curiosity, answers questions, is easily relatable to life, and builds...

Story Time: D is for Dress-Up

Have you ever played dress-up with your child? Not only is it great fun for them and you, but it can also be a critical developmental tool. It helps your child to make sense of the world around her while developing essential skills she'll use throughout life like...

Story Time: D is for Dogs: Special Service Dogs Edition

For a lot of children, meeting dogs and others animals can be an exciting experience. However, if they are unprepared for that introduction, it can lead to an undesirable experience, especially with service animals. Check out some of the tips and books below for...

JANUARY Book Babies + Toddlers: Dogs & Puppies

Through books, visits to petting zoos, and interactive animal puppets and toys, your child will explore the animal kingdom by learning the sounds animals make. This includes discovering the wide range of vocalizations from dogs, understanding the differences between...

Story Time: D is for Dance

“D” is for dancing! Did you know that, in addition to being a fantastic way to build physical skills in children, dancing is also a powerful workout for the brain? Remembering choreography strengthens memory and improves a child’s ability to focus and solve problems....

January 2026 Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Story Time and Early Literacy Join us for stories, songs, and fun all month long as we explore the letter D! We'll groove with Dance, learn from Service Dogs, try on costumes for Dress Up, and finish with something brand new just for you! Story Time is on Tuesdays 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.