Zip Zip, Little Coat
A playful getting ready story for toddlers who need a gentle little rhythm before leaving the house.
Age: Babies and toddlers, 0–3 years
Theme: Getting ready, transitions, coats, shoes, leaving the house and cooperation
Parent problem solved: Helps turn “I don’t want to go” into a simple coat-shoes-door routine
Morning shoes
waited by the door.
Little coat
waited on the peg.
Blue coat.
Soft coat.
Coat with
one sleepy zip.
One little hand
held a toy.
One little foot
stayed still.
The door was closed.
The outside waited.
But the coat said,
“Me first.”
One arm went in.
Slow.
Other arm went in.
Slow.
The zip waited
at the bottom.
First coat.
Tap the coat to zip it up.
Tap once to zip the coat. Tap again to make it wait.
The zip went up.
Zip.
Up past the tummy.
Zip zip.
Up to the chin.
Stop.
Not too tight.
Just right.
The little coat
gave a tiny hug.
Warm hug.
Ready hug.
The toy went
into one hand.
The shoes waited
by the door.
Left shoe.
Right shoe.
Two shoes
with sleepy laces.
First coat. Then shoes.
Tap the shoes to stomp to the door.
Tap once to stomp and open the door. Tap again to close it softly.
One foot in.
Push.
Other foot in.
Push.
The shoes sat on.
One shoe.
Two shoes.
Ready shoes.
The feet went
stomp.
Then again.
stomp stomp.
The door handle waited.
The coat was zipped.
The shoes were on.
The toy was held.
First coat. Then shoes. Then door.
The door opened.
Light came in.
Outside air
touched one cheek.
Not scary.
Just cool.
Just morning.
One little hand
waved to the room.
Bye-bye, rug.
Bye-bye, toy box.
Bye-bye, warm house.
The little shoes
stepped out.
Coat zipped.
Shoes on.
Door open.
Ready.
Read Aloud Prompts
- Use the routine phrase: “First coat. Then shoes. Then door.”
- Ask: “Can you find your sleeve tunnel?”
- Ask: “Can your shoes go stomp stomp?”
- At the door, let your child say “bye-bye room” before leaving.