Activities

Provide a variety of boxes such as small and large cereal boxes and packing boxes in the block center. Provide scissors, tape and markers to allow the children to create whatever they like. Encourage ideas such as garages, people and pet houses.

After reading The Nowhere Box by Sam Zuppardi, include multiple-sized boxes in the dramatic play area for the children to explore.

Come dressed as a mail carrier. Read Boxes! Boxes! by Leonard Everette Fisher. Bring various- sized boxes – small, tiny, long, short, midsized and large.

Collect some large cardboard boxes, and use duct tape to connect the boxes to make a long tunnel that the children can safely crawl through. Make the tunnel curve or turn left or right. Encourage the children to find their way through the maze.

Provide a large cardboard box. Ask the children what the large box could be. “Could it be a place to read? A garage for the tricycles? A coffee stand?” Once they have decided, take the box on the playground and have them paint it.

During small group, have each child paint a shoe box using a variety of colors. When the boxes are dry, the children can stack them in different ways to create various 3-D sculptures.

During outdoor time, provide various-sized boxes to paint, color or decorate for use outside.

Provide boxes of all sizes to use indoors or outdoors. Have the children build things with the boxes or stack them inside each other. Guide the children by saying, “We can stack blocks.

Provide an assortment of different size boxes for the children to stack and build with on the playground.

Decorate boxes of various sizes with colorful butcher paper. Make sure the boxes are large enough for the children to push or pull.

Attach a sturdy piece of rope to two small boxes (those that disposable diapers come in are a good choice). Place something heavy in one box (a reusable grocery bag filled with cans) and something light in the other (a stuffed animal).

Use a tissue box and place a favorite truck or car inside it. Have the infant reach in to discover the truck inside the box.

Give each child a sticky note with his/her name on it. Have a chart divided into two columns, one labeled “Boy” and the other “Girl.” As you call out the children's names, have them place their sticky notes in the appropriate column.

Under direct supervision, give the children pipe cleaners and large colored beads. Encourage them to create bracelets from these materials.

Provide some colorful plastic bracelets and show the infant how to slide them on and off. Encourage the infant to put the bracelets on your wrist as well.

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

Provide three or four bright, colorful balls for the infant to observe and interact with.

Place books throughout the room for the children to access. When a child selects a book, encourage him/her to bring the book to you and tell the child that you can read the book together.

Add brochures and newspaper ads for local community events to the reading center.

Read Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin Jr. Place a strong emphasis on the questions, being sure to use a rising tone of voice. This is a sign that a question is being asked. Encourage the children to recite the questions with you.