Resources / Activity
Place a variety of objects that make sounds in the science center for the children to explore. Objects could include things that click or buzz, have high or low pitches, sound alarms or are loud or quiet.
Provide a variety of objects in the science center that make noise when you strike, shake or turn them. Encourage the children to experiment.
Integrate technology by selecting videos of an airplane taking off and a space shuttle launch ahead of time. Have the children view the videos and discuss similarities and diff erences.
Provide a variety of musical instruments with different sounds and textures for the infants to explore, such as a metal triangle, a bumpy shaker or a wooden-sided drum. Encourage the infants to manipulate the instruments to hear the sounds.
Add books about affection into your reading center area, such as Hug by Jez Alborough, Hug Machine by Scott Campbell and Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney. Provide discussion during and after reading the book.
Set up an eye clinic in the dramatic play area. Provide white doctor coats made by cutting the sleeves off of small-sized men's shirts. Most pretend doctor kits have an ophthalmoscope or use a small magnifying glass from the Science center.
Create an optometrist office in the dramatic play area with a selection of toy glasses, an eye chart and eye patches. Show the children how to cover one eye and read the chart, and then prescribe glasses if needed.
Create an optometrist office inside the dramatic play area with a selection of fake glasses, an eye chart and eye patches. Show the children how to cover one eye and read the chart, and then prescribe glasses if needed.
1, 2, 3 eyes on meI'm looking to see who's looking at meI'm listening to see who's quiet as can be!
Rub the infant's arms and legs with different textures like silk, velvet, satin, wool, flannel and terrycloth. Describe each one as you gently touch the infant.
Place infants on their tummies facing one another and encourage them to interact.
During small group, have each child make a face. The other children will say how they think the child is feeling. Talk with the children about how to respond. Say, "Billy's face said he was sad.
Take pictures of the children making a variety of feelings facial expressions in the art center. Add these to tissue boxes, cardboard boxes or foam blocks using clear contact paper.
Provide free-standing mirrors and encourage the children to explore their facial features. Point out the different characteristics. Have them look at each other's faces and explore similarities and differences.
Down, down, Yellow and brown, Fall leaves fall All over the ground Rake them up In a pile so high, They almost reach Up to the sky.
In the fall, place the parachute on the ground, have the children gather leaves and lay them on the top, during outdoor time. When you have plenty of leaves, check to make sure there are no rocks or sticks.
Record family members reading stories or singing songs. Play the stories or songs and encourage the infant to recognize and react to familiar voices.
Brainstorm with the children to get ideas about families. For example, families can live in a house or an apartment, have grandmothers and have grandfathers. The children can also come up with activities that families could do together.
Give each child a sheet of construction paper and a variety of markers and crayons. Have them draw self-portraits. Then have them draw their family around them.
Put family pictures on soft blocks. Wrap each block in clear contact paper. Encourage the infant to look at, reach for or touch the picture. Use prompts such as, “Look at Mommy,” or “Where's Grandpa?” while pointing at the pictures.
