Materials
box with a lid
wrapping paper
tape
small item
Instructions
1. To help children transition to nap time, gather for story time before naps,
after mats are out and toileting is done.
2. Begin a story that includes the children, such as, "As Bear was walking
through the woods, he saw Billy and Susie, and they were yawning because
they were so sleepy." The children whose names are mentioned in the story
(which are the names of the children in the class) should yawn and go lie
down on their mat. Continue until all the children are on their mats.
3. Substitute different types of phrases and actions that the children can act out,
such as "Two cats named Bobby and Vera were taking catnaps in the sun."
4. As the children move to their mats, continue telling the story in a slow,
monotone voice. Don't get the children excited, but hold their attention so
that they listen until they fall asleep.
5. After some practice, you may want to tape your stories for use by substitutes,
or you may want to write them down later.
6. Try asking children for story ideas before nap time so they will listen for their
ideas in your story.
