Activities

Have two pieces of loaf bread in the science center. When the children come in from outside, have them all put their hand on one piece of bread. Then, they should wash and put their clean hand on the second piece
of bread.

Have the children tear toilet tissue into small pieces. Provide two or three bars of Ivory® soap and assist the children with a hand grater to grate the soap. Havethe children mix the tissue paper and soap in individual plastic tubs.

During outdoor time, provide tubs of water, child-safe soap and scrub brushes for the children to wash rocks they find on the playground. Take “before” and “after” pictures to create a class book.

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
Clean up, clean up everyone

We have had a lot of fun

When we put our things away

We will have a happy day 

Clean up, clean up everyone

Let me see what you have done

Clean up, clean up 

Everybody get some toys. 

Clean up, clean up 

All the little girls and boys. 

Clean up, clean up 

Everybody do your share. 

Clean up, clean up 

Everybody, everywhere.

Tune: "Oh, My Darling, Clementine"
Time to clean up, time to clean up

Clean the floors and tables, too

We know how to clean our classroom

We're the Pre-K cleaning crew

Read Did A Dinosaur Drink This Water? by Robert E. Wells. Show pictures of different water habitats. Discuss the term pollution, and how it can affect how people use water.

Tune: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"
Clean, clean, clean your space

Do it with a friend

Everything goes in it's place

and then go help again

Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
Clean, clean, clean your room

Put your toys away

It's time to line up at the door

And go outside to play

Give the children a simple, specific task to complete such as, “Place this green block into the box.” Make up songs to help the children clean up.

Have a pair of binoculars for a helper to use. Pick a couple of areas and have the helper zoom in to make sure everything has been put back in the right place.

During cleanup time, have small caddies in various areas of classroom. When the children pick up small items or blocks, they can place them in the appropriate caddy.

Read What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick. Talk to the children about the importance of everyone working together. Give an example from the book.

Read Clean-Up Time by Elizabeth Verdick. Talk about how we know where to put our toys when we are done. Encourage the children to look at the pictures and labels on shelves or bins to know where to place toys during cleanup time.

After mealtimes or a messy activity, give the children a wet sponge or washcloth to help wipe the tables and chairs.

Call all the children to get on the cleanup train. Have them line up, holding onto the child in front. Begin chugging around the room and stop at the first area that needs to be cleaned up. Have all the children pitch in to help.

Read A Busy Year by Leo Lionni to introduce the concept of climate. As you read, pause and talk about how the climate changes throughout the book. Ask the children if they have ever visited places with different climates.

Set up foam/vinyl shapes or pillows for the children to climb up, over and around. Be sure you use the positional words such as up, down, over, under and around.

Locate a set of stairs close by that children can visit and practice climbing stairs. Have fun climbing stairs with children. Encourage them to use alternating feet by chanting, “Left, right, left, right” one at a time as they climb up and up and up.

Provide name cards for each child in the class. Write letters on clothespins and encourage children to match the letters on the name card by clipping on the corresponding clothespin. This can be done in the reading center and math center.