5 Ways to Use Bear Paw Creek’s Canopy Scarf in Storytime

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5 Ways to Use Bear Paw Creek's Canopy Scarf in Storytime

Hey folks! La La Librarian here, I am excited to share some fun ideas for using Bear Paw Creek's canopy scarf in early childhood storytime.

I was introduced to this awesome prop by Bear Paw Creek, and it’s quickly become one of my favorites—it has so many wonderful uses! This giant, 9-foot chiffon scarf is a fantastic option for storytime professionals thanks to its versatility and simplicity.

Think of it as the parachute’s gentler, less-stimulating sibling. The canopy scarf works beautifully as a storytelling prop, a regulation tool, and a tactile activity that helps bring early literacy concepts to life.

Here are 5 fun ways to use it in your next storytime!

1. Babytime With the Canopy Scarf

The gentle, transparent canopy scarf is ideal for babytime. With a padded blanket or mat underneath, lay babies on the floor, looking up. Have caregivers sit or stand in a circle and hold the scarf above them like a canopy, and move it while singing or chanting songs. (TIP: Displaying the lyrics for everyone to see will increase caregiver participation.)

Calming songs work beautifully, such as: I See the Moon and The More We Sing/Read Together.

Energizing songs can also be adapted for the canopy scarf,  especially classic babytime songs that involve lifting, such as: Up to the Heavens, Down to the Sea, The Elevator Song, Let’s Go Riding on an Elevator, and Zoom, Zoom, Zoom. 

2. Songs and Rhymes About Rain, Ocean, Sky and Wind

If the parachute is your frenemy, the canopy scarf may be the right fit for you! Canopy scarves lend themselves to songs and rhymes about calming natural elements, making them a less stimulating alternative to a parachute. (TIP: You can always scaffold this group skill by having children remain in their parents' laps for the first few sessions.) 

In addition to the babytime songs I mentioned, some other favorites include: Who Taught The Fish To Swim, Hear the Raindrops Fall, Wind Oh Wind, and Five Little Clouds.

3. Storytelling Prop

Use the canopy scarf to represent water, clouds, and more when telling stories with props or puppets.

My favorites for the blue scarf are: Ducks Away! by Mem Fox & Judy Horacek, Get Out Of My Bath! by Britta Teckentrup, and the story songs Five Little Ducks and Five Speckled Frogs.

If you're interested in adding some stuffed animals, as shown in the picture, here is a set of 6 plush ducks, one mama or daddy duck, and five ducklings.

Blue canopy scarf with five small plush ducks and one large plush duck next to a book.
4. Bring a Book to Life Using the Canopy Scarf

Read a book while your group holds the scarf and have them move it on repeated phrases to practice parallel play as a group.

Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea and I Am the Wind work beautifully using this technique.

 

5 Ways to Use Bear Paw Creek's Canopy Scarf for Storytime by La La Librarian Share on X

Three books are sitting on top of the nine foot blue canopy scarf.
5. Cozy Canopy

With small groups of children, drape the scarf to create a cozy reading nook for sharing books together about underwater (blue), underground, outer space (black), or being among the clouds (white or blue)! 

Some of my favorites include: Breathe by Scott Magoon, Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld, Hush Little Rocket by Mo O'Hara & Alexandra Cook, and Partly Cloudy by Deborah Freedman. 

You can find even more books to pair with the canopy scarf at my Bookshop, and use the code LALA10 to get a discounted canopy scarf from Bear Paw Creek.

Alyssa Jewell

Alyssa Jewell

Alyssa Jewell is a musician, Children’s Librarian, and mom who loves storytime! Her website features storytime resources for early childhood educators and children’s librarians, including songs, videos, tutorials, themed book lists, and more. You can trust that every La La Librarian resource is carefully crafted for optimal learning and fun! In addition to a Masters Degree in Library Science, Alyssa has a degree in Theatre Education, and is certified to teach grades K–12.  She has fifteen years' experience bringing stories and concepts to life through storytime, theater, and music in a variety of educational settings. The best part of storytime is when little ones and their grown-ups make precious memories and embrace the joy of reading together! We hope these resources help all of your storytimes sing!