Activities

Have the children participate in the next meal “family-style.” Discuss social skills such as table manners and table etiquette.

Using blocks, have the children copy as you model actions with verbal directions such as, “Place the red block on top of the green block. Put the yellow block behind the blue block.

Cover a table with butcher paper and give the infant large crayons. Sit with him/her and model making marks on the paper. Encourage the infant to draw lines or make dots.  This could be done in large group.

Provide a variety of toys such as animals, people, a farmhouse or puppets. Encourage the children to select toys that interest them. As the children play with their toys, talk to them about what they are doing.

Use language to describe distress. For example, say, "Look at Bencent. He is crying. Do you think he is sad? Maybe his diaper needs changing.

Tune: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"
Take, take, take a nap

It's time to sleep and dream

Get your mat and get your sheet

Please join the resting team

Use a digital camera and show the children how to hold it to take a selfie photo. Then have the children view the photo on the viewfinder of the camera.

Read My First Book of How Things Are Made:  Crayons, Jeans, Guitars, Peanut Butter and More by George Jones.  Prior to reading the story, ask the children to guess how some of these items are made.

Provide old items for children in the science center to take apart such as a flashlight, record player, telephone, keyboard or remote control.  Provide small tools like screwdrivers and pliers for disassembling.

Look in the sky to see if there are any balloons, airplanes, birds or rockets during outdoor time. Tell the children that there are real things that can fly. Ask the children to pretend to be one of these objects.

During small group, show the children an old phone, computer, fax machine or answering machine. Have the children predict what they think the inside will look like. Assist the children as they take it apart.

Give the children baby dolls, strollers and diaper bags with bottles, and have them take the babies for a walk outside. Encourage the children touse their imagination.

During outdoor time, assemble several types of balls, some hoops and baskets and some items to use as strikers (foam pool noodles, fly swatters or plastic ball bats.

Read Take Turns, Max and Millie by Felicity Brooks to talk to the children about taking turns using toys.

Read Take Turns, Penguin! (Be Nice at School) by Jeanne Willis. Teach the children the concept of taking turns.

Provide sidewalk chalk and encourage the children to draw and write on the sidewalk. Provide the children with dowel rods or sticks and encourage them to draw and write in the dirt or sand.

Read a book to the children about taking a trip such as Taking a Trip: Going to See Grandma by Mary Mullins.

Set up a veterinary clinic, inside the dramatic play area, and provide props for the treating of sick animals. Encourage the children to talk about their own experiences with being sick and how they plan to take care of the animals.

Encourage the children to dance, sing or tell a story or joke in front of their classmates. Props can include costumes, microphones or stuffed animals.

Invite a speaker to come into the classroom such as a firefighter, a dental hygienist or a family member. Provide an opportunity for the children to share what they learned. Create a class book.