Activities

Tune: “Do You Know the Muffin Man”
If you're wearing red today, 

Red today, red today, 

If you're wearing red today, 

Stand up and say "Hoo-ray!"
Alternate: Use other colors or clothing descriptions.

Create a class book with photos of the children and simple if/then statements. Model it after one of Laura Numeroff's If You Give... books.

Include books into the reading center that illustrate cause and effect such as Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh; Why Mosquitos Buzz in People's Ears by Verna Aardema; The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Hakes Noble;

Children today don't learn to self-regulate as well because they spend so much of their time in adult-directed activities. Providing opportunities in the dramatic play area for imaginary play is an important activity for teaching impulse control.

Sing “Old MacDonald Had A Farm.” Encourage the infant to imitate the animal sounds. Repeat the song to reinforce the sounds.

As jobs are being assigned to the children in the morning, have each one describe why the assigned job is necessary in the classroom. This could be done in large group.

As jobs are being assigned to the children in the morning, have each child say why the job is necessary in the classroom.   This could be done in large group.

Gather a small container or box and a selection of items to fit inside, such as a ball, block and rattle. Sit on floor with the infant. Pour items out and place container near the infant. Encourage the infant to put items inside.

Sing this song with children holding hands forming a circle.

Use the story starter "In my family..." and have the children complete the sentence. Write down what each child dictates.

Lead the children in the game "In the Middle." Call out a child's name and ask him/her to dance and wiggle in the middle of the circle as the other children clap to the beat. Encourage the child's efforts if he/she seems unsure.

Have the children bring in pictures of their family members when they were young to put in a photo album.

Use long blocks and short blocks to build ramps for car races. Discuss how cars have to be pushed up ramps that slope upward; however, they will roll on their own, without being pushed on downward ramps.

Have the children mix together the following ingredients: 2 packages of gelatin dissolved in 2 cups of hot water, ¾ cup of chia seeds, 1½ cups cold water, 3 cups of corn starch, 1 cup of fl our and food coloring.

Give the children index cards to use in the writing center and encourage them to write one word on each card. Encourage the children to form simple sentences when they put  the cards together.

Sing this song to the tune of “London Bridge is Falling Down” to help the children learn the difference between indoor and outdoor voices. If possible, sing the song near a doorway.

Create a beach in the sensory center table with sand, toothpick umbrellas, pipe cleaners, shells, LEGO® figures and small squares of material for towels.

Ahead of time, place plastic cars in soil and move them around so they become dirty. Put them in a tub of water and add child-safe no-tears soap to make bubbles.

Use clear plastic cups, soil and safe, nontoxic seeds. Encourage the children to plant the seeds in the soil and pour a little water on them. Observe the plants as they grow. Describe the steps in the process. Talk about what the plants need.

Using hula-hoops, balance beams and large boxes, set up indoor obstacle courses in your classroom. Use directional words as you encourage the children to climb under, over and through.This could be done in large group.