Includes over 50 original fingerplay activities that will immediately capture a child's attention, arranged alphabetically by topic beginning with "A" for Alligator and ending with "W" for worms. Topics include animals, insects, foods, transportation, occupations, nature, and everyday objects such as eyeglasses, pockets, crayons, and shoes. Each fingerplay/action rhyme contains stories perfect for young children that utilize a wide assortment of everyday objects. Also included are hands-on craft activities that simultaneously entertain children and allow them to personally discover information about the topics, and suggestions for informative activities that get children involved in expressing the information they have learned for themselves. The activities include creative movement, bulletin board and room decorating ideas, games, puppetry, flannelboard suggestions, and musical activities.

The book also contains an author and title index for the children's books suggestions that accompany each topic. Once Upon a Childhood is the perfect resource for the childcare provider looking for stimulating activities to begin a child on a lifelong track of learning and creative self-expression.