Activities

After seeing a bug or other critter while outside, encourage the children to make up a story about its life.

Read the The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and talk about how caterpillars become butterflies. Purchase chrysalises from a science store for the children to observe how caterpillars become butterflies.

On a day with a gentle breeze, take the infant outside. As you hold him/her, walk around and let him/her feel the breeze. Move the infant gently in your arms and sway back and forth with the wind.

Tune: “The Farmer in the Dell”
A circle we will make

A circle we will make

Hi ho the dairy-o

A circle we will make
The circle will go fast

The circle will go slow

Hi ho the dairy-o

The circle will go

Gather a variety of leaves and provide an opportunity for each child to choose a leaf to observe. Use a magnifying glass to look at the leaves. Talk about the colors, shapes, veins, etc.

Tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
Someone has a good idea,  

good idea,  good idea

Someone has a good idea 

that they would like to share
_____ has a good idea, 

good idea, good idea

_____ has a good idea

Read A Grand Old Tree by Mary Newell Depalma or A Tree Is a Plant by Clyde Robert Bulla. Talk about why trees are important. They are homes for birds and other animals. They give us food and shade and help clean the air.

Provide the children in the group with a colorful mitten or glove. You will also need a mitten or glove for yourself.

When a child is upset or angry use the phrase, “Would you like a hand to hold?” Then offer your hand. Once the child begins to calm down, lead him/her to choose a book or a soft item to hold.

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” Here's my toothpaste, here's my brush
I won't hurry, I won't rush
Working hard to keep teeth clean
Front and back and in between
When I brush for quite a while

After reading A Home for Pearl Squirrel by Amy Crane Johnson, have the children list who Pearl invited to her housewarming party first, next and last. This could be done in large group.

Read If You Made A Million by David Schwartz. Create a chart recalling what items could be purchased with money.

In small group, provide large laces and beads. Encourage the children to make a necklace for a friend in the group. Encourage conversation by saying, “I notice you gave Ryan the red and blue necklace. Tell me about that.

Read the book A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman. After reading, give the children their choice of colored paper and crayons and have them create their own unique rainbows.

Read the book A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman. After reading, give the children their choices of colored paper and crayons and have them create their own unique rainbows.

Encourage the children to pretend the sandbox is filled with snow and act out scenes from books that involve snow such as Ezra Jack Keats's The Snowy Day during outdoor time.

In large group, read A Splendid Friend Indeed by Suzanne Bloom. Talk about how even though we like to do different things, we can still be friends.

Convert the dramatic play area to a doctor's office. Provide stethoscopes, bandages, an eye chart, scales, prescription pads and other items typically found in a doctor's office. Encourage the children to schedule appointments with the doctor.

Inside of the dramatic play area create a grocery store. Give the children a list that requires them to buy certain categories of food, such as fi e vegetables, five fruits, two grains, three carbohydrates and one junk food.

After reading Curious George and the Rocket by H. A. Rey, provide a space-themed prop box in the dramatic play center.