Category: Dramatic Play

Title: Flannel Story Containers


Next time that you have pizza for dinner try saving that box and use it for individual flannel stories. Place felt on the inside lid and use the container to hold the pieces of each story. Try using this method for It Looked Like Spilt Milk, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and The Eensy Weensy Spider.
Another container that would work well is to use cookie tins for magnetic stories. Use non'toxic paint on the inside lid to paint the scene of any story and add a magnetic strip to the back of each picture. The tin will make a great storage container.

Contributed by Kids Korner Daycare (dcowboys@cyberhighway.net)

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Category: Dramatic Play

Title: Pajama Day


Wait for a cold and dreary day (best when there are children that are starting or ending with a cold). Try not to plan it in advance. Call all of the families first thing in the morning and say it is pajama day so leave the children in their PJs. Spend the day on the floor with pillows and blankets, eating popcorn, watch a video, play games, read stories.

by Kathryn (102466.2535@CompuServe.COM)

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Category: Dramatic Play

Title: Shaving for Fun


Materials: Shaving cream, Toothpaste 'roller-uppers', Bowls, Towels, Warm water, Mirrors
Procedure:
1. Have mirrors, towels, shaving cream, bowls of warm water and toothpaste 'roller-uppers' ready for use.
2. Let the child shave like Daddy by squirting a small amount of shaving cream into his/her hand and letting him rub it onto his face, arms, or legs.
3. Give each child a toothpaste 'roller-upper' to pretend it is a razor. Boys and girls enjoy it.
4. Be sure to wipe off area when the child is finished.
5. Using scented shaving cream is fun too.

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Category: Fairy Tales

Title: Goldilocks


When Goldilocks went to the house of the bears.
What did her blue eyes see?
A bowl that was big, a bowl that was small,
A bowl that was tiny and that's not all
She counted them 1 - 2 - 3

(Repeat with 'chair', 'bed' and 'bear', but substitute for the last line, 'They growled at her Grrrr Grrrr Grrr)'

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Category: Fairy Tales

Title: Little Rabbit Foo Foo


Little Rabbit Foo Foo
Hopping throught the green grass.
Scooping up the field mice.
Knocking them on the head.
Last verse:
Down came the good fairy. Little Rabbit Foo Foo
And she said: I really warned you;
Little Rabbit Foo Foo. Now I'm going to turn you
I don't want to see you. Into a goooooool!
Scooping up the field mice. (Hare today gooool tomorrow)
Knocking them on the head.
So I'll give you three more chances.
(Repeat above ..two...one..no more chances.)

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Category: Fairy Tales

Title: There Was A Princess Long Ago


There was a princess long ago,
Long ago, long ago,
There was a princess long ago,
Long, long ago.

And she lived in a big high tower.
A wicked fairy waved her wand.
The princess slept for a hundred years.
A great big forest grew around.
A gallant prince came riding by.
He chopped the trees down one by one.
He took the princess by the hand.
So everybody's happy now.

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Category: Families

Title: A Day with Dad


My dad works in an office downtown,
And when he's home, he works all around.
He cleans up dishes and that job's hard;
Then he rakes up leaves and mows the front yard.
But Dad always finds some time for me,
And that's what makes a family.

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Category: Families

Title: Divorce


I didn't understand at first
why Daddy went away.
I thought that it must be my fault
because he wouldn't stay.
Did he still love Mom and me?
'Yes,' he said, 'Of course.'
'Then,' I said, 'Explain to me:'
'What does it mean, 'divorce'?'

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Category: Families

Title: Family Book


Each child is given a book at the beginning of the unit with a caption on each page. (Books can be made using newsprint and construction paper.) My mother is special because... My dad can... Grandparents are special because....The best part of being a brother/sister is... Each day the children are asked to draw a different picture and complete the sentence with you help. A wonderful book to bring home and 'read')

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Category: Families

Title: Family Collage


Have the children go through magazines and find pictures of all the things their mothers do. Cut them out and glue them onto construction paper. The same can be done for dad. Another variation is to have the children cut out pictures to represent the people in their family and the things they like to do as a family.

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Category: Families

Title: Family Diorama


Bring a shoe box for each child.
Have the children:
Paint a background on the inside of it.
Make stand up pictures of your house and family.
Glue the pictures in your box.

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Category: Families

Title: Family Mobile


Illustrate a picture of each member of the family. Include the pet if the child has one.
Cut out each family member.
Glue each picture on strong paper or cardboard.
Hang your pictures on a hanger with yarn or string to make a mobile.
Print the last name on a piece of paper and fasten it to the hanger.
Hang your mobile in the classroom.

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Category: Families

Title: Family Models


Use plasticene to model different members of your family.

Make a name tag for each one.

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Category: Families

Title: Family Picnic


Sung to: Teddy Bear Picnic

Let's all go to the woods today,
We're sure of a big surprise.
Let's all go to the woods today.
We'll walk there side by side.
We know that we'll have lots of fun,
We'll eat and play and dance and run.
Today's the day we have our family picnic.

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Category: Families

Title: Family Picnic


Sung to 'The Teddy Bears' Picnic'

Let's all go to the woods today,
We're sure of a big surprise.
Let's all go to the woods today,
We'll walk there side by side.
We know that we'll have lots of fun,
We'll eat and play and dance and run.
Today's the day we have our family picnic!
Materials: Felt-tip markers.
Making the Puppets: Use felt-tip markers to draw two eyes, a nose and a mouth on each finger of one hand.


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Category: Families

Title: Family Tree


Encourage your children to talk about all the people that belong in their family. Mother, father, sister, brother, grand parents, aunts and uncles. To make a family tree you will need: an orange juice can for each child, a small branch from a tree for each child, construction paper cut into circles and punched with a small hole, string or wool and some plaster of paris. Cover the can with paper and decorate. Go for a walk and have each child pick a branch to put in the can 2/3rds full of plaster. Allow to dry overnight. Ask the children to draw a picture on one side of a circle and you write the name of the family member on the other side. Punch hole and thread - hang on tree.

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Category: Families

Title: Food Group Snacks


During family week take the time to discuss what we should eat to stay healthy. Talk about the different food groups and a food group for each day. Encourage your children to have healthy eating habits.
Milk Products- milk, yogurt, ice cream, cheese
Fruit - fruit salad, fruit kebabs or sliced fruits.
Vegetables - an assortment of fresh vegetables, vegetable soup or a garden green salad.
Grain Products - muffins, crackers, toast or cookies for a real treat
Meat & Alternatives - chicken, peanut butter, eggs and tofu for something new.

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Category: Families

Title: Good Foods


Mommy says to try some cheese;
Eat your spinach, if you please.
A glass of milk is good for you --
But shouldn't moms eat good foods, too?

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Category: Families

Title: Grandpa's Clock


'Now go to bed,'
Says Grandpa's clock.
'Tick-tock, tick-tock,
Tick-tock, tick-tock!'
So I put down my big red block,
And then pull off each wrinkled sock.

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Category: Families

Title: I Hear People


Sung to: Frere Jacques

I hear Mother, I hear Mother
Hear her shout, hear her shout
Clean up your mess
Clean up your mess
Hear her shout, hear her shout.

I hear Father, I hear Father
Hear him shout, hear him shout
Time to go to bed now
Time to go to bed now
Hear him shout, hear him shout.

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Category: Families

Title: I Wouldn't Miss It


I'm always in the kitchen
When mother's there to bake.
Because I like to watch her
Spread frosting on the cake.

She does it very quickly -
It hardly takes a minute -
And then she lets me lick the bowl
That had the frosting in it!

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Category: Families

Title: Making Breakfast


Sung to: Frere Jacques

I am bacon, I am bacon
In the pan, In the pan.
Watch me curl and sizzle,
Watch me curl and sizzle,
Sizzle, Sizzle, Sizzle, Sizzle, Sizzle, Sizzle.

I've got friends, I've got friends.
Toast and eggs, Toast and eggs.
Put us all together - We are good for you,
Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch.
(Have children lay on floor and sizzle/shake)

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Category: Families

Title: Mommy


When I woke up this morning,
My Mom had gone away.
She didn't say goodbye to me,
Or tell me where she'd stay.

Now who will fix my breakfast,
And tuck me in a night?
'Don't worry, Son,' my Daddy said,
'We'll work it out all right.'

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Category: Families

Title: My Family


Here is Daddy. (thumb)
Here is Mommy. (index)
Here I am for three. (pinky)
Together we're a family,
As happy as can be! (clap!)

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Category: Families

Title: My House


Here are the windows,
Here is the door.
Come on in, I'll show you more.
Here is the kitchen, the living room too.
A bathroom, three bedrooms, and a room for you!
An attic, a chimney, and a roof above.
And my house is a home,
'Cause it's filled with love!

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Category: Families

Title: My Puppy


My puppy has a doghouse,
just outside my door.
He licks me when I pet him,
and wags his tail for more.
He's always there beside me,
no matter what I do.
My puppy is my special friend,
and a family member too!

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Category: Families

Title: Nutritious Snacks


Set out foods from each food group. Yogurt, cottage cheese, apple slices, orange slices, carrot and celery sticks, peanut butter and tuna sandwiches. Give each child a paper plate and ask them to select something from each food group to make their snack plate today. A great way to see if the children have really learned the food groups.

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Category: Families

Title: Ode to Blue


Blue was hit by a car today.
Mom wouldn't let me see.
We put Blue in the ground today,
Behind the big pine tree.

If there's a special place for cats,
I know they have my Blue.
'Cause all around the old pine tree
The prettiest flowers grew.

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Category: Families

Title: Rock Families


Take a walk and have the children collect four or five different sized rocks to make a family. Bring them back and paint them. Then let the children play with their families. Encourage them to make up stories about their rock families. For example have them name their rocks and tell what each one likes to do. Help them expand their stories by asking questions.

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Category: Families

Title: Shaving Just Like Daddy


Materials: whipping cream, mixer, bowl, small cups, crafts sticks or tongue depressors, mirror
Procedure: Give each child a small cup full of 'shaving cream' (whipped cream) and a 'razer' (craft stick). Looking into a mirror, the children put the shaving cream on their faces, all over their imaginary beards and mustaches. Then, slowly and carefully, they 'shave' off their whiskers until they can feel their smooth faces. Next time they can give someone else a shave. Be sure the children understand that real razors are not to play with. -----Put on the cream. You can have a taste, Now shave it off carefully, And make a funny face!-----

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Category: Families

Title: Skipping Rhymes


My little sister dressed in pink
Washed the dishes in the sink.
How many dishes did she break?
One, two, three, four, five....

My old granddad made a shoe.
How many nails did he put through?
One, two, three, four, five......

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Category: Families

Title: The New Baby


I used to be the 'special one,'
Till baby sister came along.
Mom's busy changing diapers,
Feeding Baby and, you see,
She doesn't seem to have the time
She used to spend with me.
Sometimes it makes me angry,
Sometimes I want to cry.
My new job as big brother
Isn't easy, but I'll try!


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Category: Families

Title: Triplets


Mom said, 'We're gonna have a baby.'
Dad said, 'Twins, maybe?'
But no one said that it could be
Triplets! Count'em: one! two! three!!!

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Category: Families

Title: Vegetables


I always eat my vegetables,
Carrots and broccoli too.
My mother says they'll help me grow:
'Eat them, they're good for you!'
But there is just one vegetable
I can't seem to eat:
I don't care if I ever grow
If I have to eat a beet!

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Category: Families

Title: What Room Is This?


This is an imagination game. Have the children close their eyes. 'Imagine you are walking into your house. Open the door - step through the door - now tell me what you see.' Ask the first child to answer and then continue asking questions such as 'If you go up the stairs what is the first room that you will see? Step though that door and put your hand out to the side - what do you feel? What kind of smell do you notice coming from the pot on the stove?'

If this game is too hard try changing it. Ask the children what room has a toilet in it. What room has the most windows. What room has the most toys? etc.

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Category: Families

Title: With My Family


Sung to 'The Muffin Man'

Tell me what you like to do
Like to do, like to do.
Tell me what you like to do
With your family.

Edward likes to rake the leaves
Rake the leaves, rake the leaves.
Edward likes to rake the leaves
With his family.

Let the children talk about what they like to do.

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Category: Families

Title: Working Moms


My mommy has to work each day.
She used to stay with me and play.
But daddy said, 'We need more money.'
Mommy said, 'Don't worry, Honey.
There'll be lots of time for you and me.
It's not love's amount, but the quality.'

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Category: Families: Feelings

Title: Four Feelings


Tell the following story:
Joe got a brand new puppy for his birthday. He loved the puppy very much, but the puppy was very naughty. The first day he chewed up Daddy's slipper. The second day he chewed up the garbage wack and spilled garbage all over the kitchen floor. The third day he woke up everyone barking at the cat on the window sill. That day mother said. 'No more puppy in the house.'

Ask the children questions about how Joe might have felt, how daddy might have felt, how mother might have felt and how the puppy might have felt.

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Category: Flowers

Title: Daffodils


Materials: Baking cups, Popsicle stick or pipe cleaner

Give the children yellow and white paper baking cups. Have them each flatten one of the cups and spread glue on the center portion. Then have them each place a second cup upright on top of the glue to make a daffodil. If desired, let the children attach Popsicle sticks or pipe cleaners for stems.

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Category: Flowers

Title: Dandelion Eggs


Let the children help you pick some tender young dandelion leaves. (They taste best when picked before the plant has blossomed.) Wash the leaves, then dry them with paper towels. Have the children tear the leaves into bite sized pieces. To make dandelion eggs, prepare scrambled eggs according to your usual recipe, adding the leaves just as the eggs are starting to set.

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Category: Flowers

Title: Dandelion Hunt


Take the children outside to a place where there are lots of dandelions. Ask them to find big, small, unopened, or ones with leaves.
Tell them that the word 'dandelion' means 'teeth of the lion' in French. Ask them to look at the dandelion leaves and see if they can guess how the dandelion got its name.
Have each child pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Have the children hold the dandelions in front of their mouths. Encourage them to blow the seeds off their dandelions by saying words that begin with the 'wh' sound, such as 'why', and 'whisper'. How many different words can they think of that start with that sound.

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Category: Flowers

Title: Dandelion Seed Pictures


Materials: Paper, Glue, Dandelions
Take the children outside to a place where there are many dandelions that have gone to seed. Give each child a piece of dark coloured construction paper and a paint brush. Set out several shallow containers of glue. Let the children brush glue all over their papers. Then help the children hold their papers behind the dandelions while they blow the seeds onto them.
(Best done outside.)

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Category: Flowers

Title: Dandelions


Materials: Dandelions, Tempera paint (yellow), Paper
Give each child a dandelion blossom and a piece of white paper. Set out small dishes of yellow tempera paint. Let the children use their dandelions as paint brushes to dab the yellow paint on their papers.

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Category: Flowers

Title: Dandelions


Sung to 'Mary Had A Little Lamb'

Once there was a dandy lady, Dandy lady, dandy lady,
Once there was a dandy lady, Who loved to dance,they say.

She had beautiful hair of gold,........
.......... And loved to dance all day.

As time passed by and she grew old,........
......... Her hair all turned to grey.

Now when the dandy lady dances,........
.........Her hair all blows away.

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Category: Flowers

Title: Egg Cup Bluebells


Materials: Egg carton, Pipe cleaners, Paper leaves, Tempera paint
Cut the egg cups out of cardboard egg cartons. Then cut the cups into bluebell shapes and let the children paint them blue. When the paint has dried, make stems by inserting the ends of green pipe cleaners through the bottoms of the bluebells, then bending the pipe cleaners into cane shapes. Let the children poke holes in the ends of precut green construction paper leaves and thread them on their bluebell stems.
Variation: Cut the egg cups into tulip shapes and let the children paint them different colours.

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Category: Flowers

Title: Flower Box


Materials: Construction flower shapes (different colours), Popsicle sticks, Aluminum square pan, Sand
Cut flower shapes out of various colours of construction paper. Let the children glue them to Popsicle sticks. Fill a shallow box with dirt or sand. Have the children 'plant' the flowers in the dirt in rows of twos, threes or fours. Encourage them to plant the rows from left to right or from back to front. Or direct the children to plant a red flower in front of a yellow flower, an orange flower behind a blue flower, etc.

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Category: Flowers

Title: Flower Hangings


Materials: Fresh flowers, wax paper, yarn, iron

Cover a table with towels. Give each child two circles cut out of waxed paper. Place a variety of fresh flowers in the center of the table and let each child choose several to arrange on top of one of his or her waxed paper circles. Have each child cover his or her flowers with the second piece of waxed paper. Then place a towel on top of each child's waxed paper circles and press with a warm iron to seal the edges together. Use a hole punch to make holes at the tops of the circles. Thread pieces of yarn through the holes and arrange the flower hangings in a window.

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Category: Flowers

Title: Flower Jars


Materials: Small dried or silk flowers, Small baby food jar, Ribbon, Clay
Let the children place small amounts of clay in baby food jar lids. Give them small dried flowers to arrange in the clay. Help the children screw the jars onto the lids. Tie ribbons around the necks of the jars and let the children give them as gifts.

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Category: Flowers

Title: Flower Match-Ups


Materials: Flower shapes (5 identical pairs of colours)

Cut ten identical flower shapes from construction paper and group them in pairs. Glue a different kind of fabric to each pair of flowers. Mix up the flowers and let the children take turns finding the matching pairs.
Variation: Cut pairs of identical flower shapes from five different colours of construction paper. Let the children take turns finding the flowers with matching colours. For older children instead of matching colours they can match number with dots.

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Category: Flowers

Title: In Our Springtime Garden


Sung to 'The Mulberry Bush'

What a lovely time of year,
Time of year, time of year.
What a lovely time of year
In our springtime garden.

See the flowers swing and sway,
Swing and sway, swing and sway.
See the flowers swing and sway
In our springtime garden.

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Category: Flowers

Title: Kazoo flower


Materials: toilet paper roll, hole puncher, 4 in. X 4 in. piece of paper, elastic band, coloured paper for flower and leaves.
Punch hole into toilet paper roll about an inch in. Use the piece of paper and attach it to the toilet paper roll using the elastic band. (This must be done on the side that has the hole.)
Attach a colourful fringe for the petals and green leaves for decoration.

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Category: Flowers

Title: Raised Flower Painting


Materials: toilet paper, paper towels, paint, paper, paint brush
After painting a picture of a flower pot and leaves have the children roll a piece of toilet paper (or paper towel) up in a spiral (snail shape) and dip it into the paint. Apply the toilet paper to the paper in a spiral motion. Glue may be needed to keep the paper in place after it dries.

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