The qualities the puppet storyteller can focus on when sharing puppetry with infants and toddlers, relate to inviting presence, wonder, connection, and joy, with slow, intentional gestures and movements filled with warmth. Connecting to nature, observing and depicting the movement of the birds, animals, insects, the breathing of the wind, water, brings the magic of nature to life within the storytelling. When we allow the human puppets in a story to reflect the grace and balance of movements inherent in purposeful work, such as kneading dough, stirring, planting, and the gentle sway in a relaxed walk, children and adults alike can experience a settling of the body and breathing into a peaceful calm that nurtures and balances us as the audience, and puppeteer. 
I love to begin the experience in my parent child classes with a sensory game—pulling out the rainbow or a blue ‘water’ or ‘wind’ silk that wafts into the air, settles on and embraces each family, one at a time. For the adults, this is a way to bring them into the present in a non-instructive way, and to offer the child a welcoming gentle embrace that enlivens touch—and what a delight to experience the world through a rainbow or ‘water’ colored veil! 
Children also welcome a one-on-one visit from an animal puppet ‘friend’. “Owlie”, a hand-felted puppet created by Susannah White, has greeted so many children before a story with a soft “hoot”. Sometimes it is enough for the child to watch the puppet roost near and greet the parent.
Together we move with gesture through the following verse to open the story:
Good morning to the sun up in the sky,
Good morning to the birds that fly up so high
Good morning to the nest where Squirrel Nutkin rests.
Good morning everyone!

I developed a program beyond parent child classes in Puppets, Tunes ‘n Tea for Tots through a local library here in the Tampa Bay area. Pre-registration is required, and the attendance is limited to 25 children and their adults, to offer an experience that is gentle and not overstimulating. It's an absolute delight to share smaller staged stories, fingerplays, and interactive songs with families on a regular basis! Following the puppet story we have a traveling song time, where I pick up the ukulele and lead, as we dance and sing our way to the snack table where families are offered warm brewed tea and a simple snack. This month’s theme is A Winter’s Tale: Little Mousie's Seeds from the Sun. Photos are from the November offering: The Animal's Thanksgiving. The children's librarians have been so supportive and a joy to work with.

Tips for library puppetry:

If possible, ask the librarians to gather the families very close to story time. As a rule give a five minute entry window. This way children are less likely to begin playing in the space. To set the tone consider a welcoming puppet that gently greets each family as they enter--more welcoming ideas are shared in the excerpt from Kindling. The welcoming puppet helps to build a bridge from everyday to story time!

When a child is being disruptive prior to story time I offer one of my larger welcoming puppets for them to hold, and ask them to help the puppet feel better. If the child is still having trouble settling, I gently suggest that if a child does not seem to be ready for story time, they are always welcome to step out for a few minutes, or try again next time. They are toddlers, and sometimes they just need to move. 

A little touch of music can indicate to the families that it is time to begin storytime, and offers a sense of harmonious welcome. 

I ask in advance if I may light a story candle. If that is not possible, a battery operated candle switched on after a simple verse can be magical as well! "Here there shines a candle, and up there shines a star. Both of them are helpful, shining where they are."

A verse to introduce the story:

"A house the stars have built for me, of silver and of gold.

Then come inside with one, two, three!

And share the gifts it holds!"

During the story I often have one of the puppets journey across the front of the small stage to help hold the children's engagement. If a child wishes one on one with a puppet, I say the little friend will come out again after the story to say hello.

To close-

Stars, moon, and sun.

Now my tale is all done!

A breath of quiet, some gentle bits of soft music to close, then, inviting the children to move in a follow the leader circle format ~ Hurry, Hurry, recorded  by Connie Manson & Jon Brady is an example that helps the children digest their experience. 

Recording is here: