Activities

Create a poster with pictures and words to hang above the sink to remind the children of the steps to washing hands.

Demonstrate and discuss the proper hand washing procedure with the children. Work with the children who may need assistance with turning on the faucet, retrieving soap from the dispenser and getting a paper towel.

During large group encourage children to wash hands for at least thirty seconds. Wash, wash, wash your hands Soap will make them clean.

Use the dramatic play area to set up a pretend hand washing station close to your kitchen set. Include a poster, an empty soap bottle and paper towels.

Read the beautifully illustrated book Handa's Hen by Eileen Browne. In this story the children will learn about Handa, a young girl from the Luo tribe, who feeds breakfast to Mondi, her grandma's black hen, every morning.

Read the beautifully illustrated book Handa's Hen by Eileen Browne. In this story, the children will learn about Handa, a young girl from the Luo tribe, who feeds breakfast to Mondi, her grandma's black hen, every morning.

Have the children trace one hand on a piece of paper. Provide stamp pads and have them stamp their fingerprints on the corresponding finger on their drawn hand. Discuss with the children how everyone's fingerprints are different.

During large group, read Hands Are Not for Hitting (Best Behavior Series) by Martine Agassi and discuss all of the things that hands can be used for to help each other in the classroom.

During small group, read Hands Off, Harry! by Rosemary Wells. Discuss it during and after reading. Then create a language experience chart.

Read Hands Off, Harry! by Rosemary Wells, during small group. Discuss it during and after reading. Then create a language experience chart.

After reading Those Mean Nasty Dirty Downright Disgusting/But Invisible Germs by Judith Anne Rice or another book about germs, have the children complete a hand-washing experiment using glitter and Vaseline.

Read the book Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash by Sarah Weeks. Make a clothesline out of rope with cutouts of the various items described in the book, and have the children hang the items on the clothesline in the sequence of the story.

Tune: "Happy Birthday" 
Hang your coat up today

Hang it up right away 

Put your coat in your cubby 

So you can go play

Cut off the bottom part of a soda bottle, water bottle or milk jug to use as a planter to hang on the playground, during outdoor time. Fill it with dirt, and have the children plant seeds in it.

Place a picture or hang an object over the changing table and out of reach. Encourage the infant to look at the object. Narrate the infant's reaction. Say, "You are smiling at that bunny," or "Look at the stars swaying back and forth.

Sing “If You're Happy and You Know It”:
If you're happy and you know it,

clap your hands (Clap, clap.)
If you're happy and you know it,

clap your hands (Clap, clap.

Sing “If You're Happy and You Know It.” Encourage participation by modeling actions and using statements such as, “Clap your hands. Clap with me.” Repeat the activity and pause to allow the children to clap and sing.

Begin large group with this poem:
When I am sad, I want to cry.
When I am proud, I want to fl y.
When I am curious, I want to know.
When I am impatient, I want to go.

Read Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion. Talk about all the ways Harry gets dirty. Ask the children to think of times they got really dirty. Have the children look closely at the pictures and name some of the things they see.

Place a variety of hats and jackets in the dramatic play area to encourage the children to pretend to be community helpers, such as a firefighter, police officer or construction worker.