Activities

In the reading center read Bread, Bread, Bread (Around the World Series) by Ann Morris with the children. Have a variety of breads for children to sample and taste such as rye, wheat and pumpernickel.

Place precut vegetables, such as peppers, cucumbers, celery and carrots, along with raisins and paper plates in the science center and encourage children to make a face from the vegetables! 

Using craft sticks, place VELCRO® dots on each end, as well as in the center. Be sure to use both the hook and loop pieces. Place these in a basket and have the children make shapes.

Create a Venn diagram comparing photos of a real bear to a teddy bear, and chart these on the diagram. This can be done in small group.

Create a hungry caterpillar out of a parmesan cheese container with a flip-top lid. Decorate the lid with wiggly eyes to resemble the caterpillar in the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

During outdoor time, take props outside to set up a vet office. Explain that just as doctors keep people healthy and safe, vets do the same for our pets. Add a stethoscope, thermometer, notepad, magnifying glass and a basket of stuffed animals.

After reading 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle, ask the children if they have ever visited a zoo and allow them to tell about their visits. Chart the words that seem unfamiliar to some children, and discuss them.

Collect four clear containers of the same size. Choose an item for the children to estimate, perhaps crayons. In three of the containers, place different numbers of the item. For example, in one container, place two items.

Take an online virtual tour of an art museum and encourage the children to discuss their thoughts on what they see.

Collect paper towel rolls and other cardboard tubes and encourage the children to speak into them to observe how sounds change.

Record a familiar teacher or family member singing a children's song or reading a favorite book. Play this for the infant at different times of the day as a lullaby for naptime or to introduce story time.

Provide each child with modeling clay or play dough for molding a small volcano. Make an indentation in the top of each child's model, and add a tablespoon of baking soda in the indentation.

Provide the children with a variety of small wheeled toys. Place some empty cardboard boxes on the floor with the vehicles, along with wooden blocks for ramps. Show the children how to "drive" their cars, going up, down, around, under and inside.

Using big, 14"L x 2"W x 14"H waffle blocks, have the children work in pairs. Give each child one block and help him/her solve how the blocks fit together. To challenge the children, have them work in groups of three or four.

Have the children create a collage from magazine pictures of things they do now and things they would like to do in the future.  This can be done in small group.

Tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It" I will wait here in the line 'til it's my turn
(Clap, clap)
I will wait here in the line, 'til it's my turn
(Clap, clap)
I will wait here in the line, and things

Take a small whiteboard and a dry erase marker outside. Create a waiting list for playground items that the children take turns using, such as swings or tricycles.

Play mellow, upbeat music as the children begin to wake up and as you are turning on the lights. Encourage the children to stretch their bodies to the music as they wake up.

During outdoor time, have the children walk around in a big circle. The teacher calls out two rhyming words. If words rhyme, the children keep walking. If the words don't rhyme, the children freeze.

Use tape or chalk to mark a start and finish line. Have the children hold a ball between their knees and waddle from the start to the finish and back. Give the ball to the next child and continue until everyone has had a turn.