Activity Idea: Word of the Week

Kindergarten QuickSource® reminds us that literacy begins by immersing children in "literacy-rich environments and fostering a love of language and reading." Emerging literacy skills can be supported by planning activities that involve "discriminating sounds, identifying print, recognizing letters, developing a love of books, writing, and appreciation of the rhythm of language."

Here's an activity called Word of the Week that will help children increase their knowledge of words and will boost their vocabulary skills. For this activity, you will need White Sentence Strips (WSE), and a Pocket Chart (POCK).

Materials Needed:
White Sentence Strips (WSE)
Pocket Chart (POCK)

Let's Get Started:
1. A good way to increase vocabulary in young children is to choose a "Word of the Week." A word should be chosen that may be unfamiliar to many of the children.

2. Write the word on a card or sentence strip while the children watch.
3. Have the children say the word.
4. Post the word in a place where it can be noticed often during the week.
5. Throughout the next few days, revisit the word asking the children the meaning.

Furthermore....
Have children practice using the "Word of the Week" in a sentence throught the week.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline LG3: Understands More Complex Vocabulary and Displays Listening Comprehension.

Activity Idea: Shapes and Color Collage

Preschool Activity QuickSource® reminds us that we can "support the development of children's mathematical skills by creating hands-on experiences and by presenting problems to children that are meaningful and relevant to their developmental level" by presenting mathematics in a fun and creative way. It is important to provide children with an opportunity to develop abstract reasoning skills, learn complex math concepts and create solutions to real-life problems.

Here's an activity called Shapes and Color Collage that will help children develop their shape and color recognition skills. For this activity, you will need Colorations® 12x18" Heavyweight Construction Paper (12CP), Colorations® Super Classroom Paint Brush Set (BRUSHES), Colorations® Washable Clear Glue (NGL), and Teacher's Comfort Grip Scissors (TGRIP).

Materials Needed:
Colorations® 12x18" Heavyweight Construction Paper (12CP)
Colorations® Super Classroom Paint Brush Set (BRUSHES)
Colorations® Washable Clear Glue (NGL)
Teacher's Comfort Grip Scissors (TGRIP)

Let's Get Started:
1. Cut out different shapes from construction paper using the week's color theme (or with a shape theme, cut out multiple pieces of the same shape). Add paint or food coloring to represent the week's color.

2. Allow the child to brush glue onto white construction paper (or color of choice).

3. Next, ask the child to find the shape (square, circle, triangle etc..) and then have him/her press the shape onto the paper. You may need to show the child the first few times, but you will be surprised at how quickly they pick this up.

Furthermore:
This activity can be combined with a weekly lesson plan consisting of either shapes or colors. Consider following this activity with a reading from any color/shapes prechool book.

If using POCET™,  this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: MA3 Classify and Sort by Attributes.

Activity Idea: Restaurant

Infant and Toddler QuickSource® reminds us that language development is critical for toddlers as they learn to listen, communicate and follow directions. Caregivers can encourage this development by "providing activities that stimulate language expression and initiate communication."

Here's an activity called Restaurant that helps children to initiate conversation with others and make requests without being prompted. For this activity, you'll need a Dinner Set (DIN), an Around the World Food Set (AWFS), a Multicultural Food Set (MULTISET),a set of Life-Sized Fruit and Veggies (FOODSET), and a table and chairs.

Materials Needed:
Dinner Set (DIN)
Around the World Food Set (AWFS)
Multicultural Food Set (MULTISET)
Life-Sized Fruit and Veggies (FOODSET)
A Table and Chairs

Let's Get Started:
1. The teacher can set up a restaurant in the dramatic play centers.

2. Encourage the children to have one child take the “food orders” from the other children.

3. A child placing the orders will initiate the conversation and tell the child behind the counter what he wants to eat. Most children have had experiences with this with their family.

Furthermore....
Children can learn about nutrition using the pretend play food provided. A possible addition would be Discount School Supply's® Food Pyramid Felt Set (NBFBFOOD).

If using POCET™, this Activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: EL18: Initiates Conversations and Makes Requests.

Activity Idea: Tiny Seeds

Head Start QuickSource® reminds us that the Physical Development & Health domain refers to "physical well-being, use of the body, muscle control, and appropriate nutrition, exercise, hygiene, and safety practices." Physical well-being, health and motor development are foundation to children's learning and early health habits lay the foundation for lifelong healthy living.

Here's an activity called Tiny Seeds that encourages children's creative expression and the development of their fine motor skills. For this activity, you will need paper plates (DIXIE), Colorations® Simply Washable Tempera Yellow Paint (WSTYE), paint brushes (LOTCHB), Colorations® Heavyweight Green Construction Paper (9CPGR), Colorations® Washable School Glue (SCWGSET), and The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle.

Materials Needed:
9" White Paper Plates (DIXIE)
Colorations® Simply Washable Tempera Yellow Paint (WSTYE)
Colorations® Best Value Plastic Handle Paint Brushes (LOTCHB)
9x12" Colorations® Heavyweight Green Construction Paper (9CPGR)
Colorations® Washable School Glue (SCWGSET)

Let's Get Started:
1. Talk to the children about the flight of the seed in the story. Remind them what happened with each season.

2. Discuss how big the sunflower grew and how there were hundreds of seeds in the middle of its pod.

3. Give each child a paper plate and have them paint it yellow.

4. Show them how to glue sunflower seeds into the center of the plate.

5. Attach a strip of green paper to the back of the plate to resemble the stem.

6. Display your field of sunflowers on a classroom bulletin board.

Furthermore....
Bring a variety of seeds or nuts in to the classroom and encourage the children to examine and sort them. Suggestions include acorns, seedpods, pumpkins or acorn squash cut in half. Include whole sunflower seeds as well as ready-to-eat sunflower seeds and peanuts in a shell and out of the shell. How are the seeds alike? How are they different?

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds with the devlopmental guidelines shown in PH2: Begins to show Fine Motor Dexterity and Control.

Activity Idea: My (Almost) Everything!

Preschool Activity QuickSource® reminds us that social/emotional activities focus on "helping children become caring, competent, and confident individuals" by nururing their sense of self, fostering their independence, encouraging them to make friends, and teaching them to share with others.

Here's an activity called My (Almost) Everything!  that will help children become aware of their personal likes and dislikes. Children can also express feelings and learn their basic information, such as name, age, family members, etc. For this activity, you will need Colorations® Simply Washable Tempera Paints and 12x18" White Sulphite Paper.

Materials Needed:
Colorations® Simpy Washable Tempera Paints (SWT16)
12x18" White Sulphite Paper (12SU)

Let's Get Started:
1. Have each child make handprints with paint on a sheet of paper, leaving room for text.

2. Have a list of ten questions, one for each finger.
My name is?
I live at?
My favorite color is?
My favorite game is?
My favorite food is?
My favorite animal is?
When I grow up, I want to be a?
I like to?
My wish is to?
If I could have a super power, it would be?

3. List their answers, one above each finger.

4. Display around the room.

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds with the devlopmental guidelines shown in SE1 Shows Awareness of Self and Knows Personal Information.

Activity Idea: Hide the Object

Infant and Toddler QuickSource® reminds us that sensory awareness becomes part of an infant’s life at a very early age. "Playing Peek-a-Boo, placing items in her mouth and becoming aware of her own body parts will eventually help the child support the scientific wonderment of our world."

Here's an activity called Hide the Object that helps children begin to understand patterns involved in simple games. For this activity, you will need a Snuggle Me Tot Supporter (SNUGME) and a set of Soft Squeak Blocks (SQUEAK).

Materials Needed:
Snuggle Me Tot Supporter (SNUGME)
Soft Squeak Blocks (SQUEAK)

Let's Get Started:
1. When a child has reached the point of enjoying games such as Peek-a-Boo, play “Hide the Object.”

2. Take something small and hide it behind the child and ask, “Where did it go? Where is the block?”

3. Also play the game by hiding objects under the infant’s leg, in the infant’s hand, on the infants head (if safe and appropriate, such as an article of clothing).

4. Continue asking the child, even if the child’s skills are not developed enough to locate the object.

Furthermore....
Continue playing the game, but squeak the block when it's behind your back to increase the infant's curiosity.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: ES3: Plays Peek-a-Boo.

Activity Idea: Wocket Pockets

Head Start QuickSource® reminds us that the Literacy Knowledge and Skills domain "refers to the knowledge and skills that lay the foundation for reading and writing, such as understanding basic concepts about books or other printed materials, the alphabet, and letter-sound relationships." Early literacy is the foundation for reading and writing and is considered one of the most important areas for a child's development and learning. Early literacy provides children with an opportunity to explore the world and is a mechanism for learning about topics they enjoy.

Here's an activity called Wocket Pockets that will encourage language development in toddlers. For this activity, you will need sandwich bags, tape, Colorations® Heavyweight Construction Paper (9CP), wood craft sticks (CRAF), Colorations® Chubby Crayons (CRCHB), and There's a Wocket in My Pocket by Dr. Seuss (BKSETE).

Materials Needed:
Sandwich Bags
Tape
Colorations® Heavyweight Construction Paper (9CP)
Wood Craft Sticks (CRAF)
Colorations® Chubby Crayons (CRCHB)
There's a Wocket in My Pocket by Dr. Seuss (BKSETE)

Let's Get Started:
1. Read There's A Wocket in My Pocket. Emphasize the silly rhymes and words the children know that rhyme.

2. Encourage the children to create a creature using a rhyme they made up, or the children can use their imagination to draw their own version of a "wocket." The sillier the rhyme and creature, the better.

3. Tape a Popsicle stick to the back of each child's creature to create a simple stick puppet. Then put on a show!

4. You can make a pocket for the "wockets" by taping three edges of the sandwich bag to construction paper. Leave the top zip side open.

Furthermore....
Play with rhymes throughout the day. Sing "Willaby Wallaby Woo" by Raffi.

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds with the devlopmental guidelines shown in LT4: Shows Awareness that Words Can Begin with the Same Sound.

Activity Idea: Painting Without a Brush

Kindergarten QuickSource® reminds us that the fine arts "support all areas of development and allows the child to foster creativity and imagination." Children can express thoughts and feelings by painting a picture, dancing, or singing a song.

Here's an activity called Painting Without a Brush that will help children to explore different artistic mediums. For this activity, you will need a Sponge Painting Kit (SPOKIT), Colorations® Simply Washable Tempera Paint (SWT16) or BioColor® Paints (BIO16), and 12x18" sheets of Extra Sturdy Tagboard (12WT).

Materials Needed:
Sponge Painting Kit (SPOKIT)
Colorations® Simply Washable Tempera Paint (SWT16)
BioColor® Paints (BIO16)
Extra Sturdy Tagboard (12WT)

Let's Get Started:
1. Give each child a large piece of paper that works well with paint.

2. Place the different colors of paint in a covered area with easy access for the children.

3. Place the various painting tools on a tray. Have the children experiment, using different items to spread the paint on the paper.

Furthermore....
Extend this activity further by allowing children to create a 3-dimensional mural with other craft mediums.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: CA5: Explores Drawing, Painting and Modeling with Different Materials and Media.

Activity Idea: Making Marks

Infant and Toddler QuickSource® reminds us that toddlers begin learning about print when they are in the 18-36 month age range. "Caregivers should provide plenty of experiences that involve rhyming, using books, beginning the process of scribbling. Children in this stage are very curious about the world and items around them."

Here's an activity called Making Marks that will help toddlers begin the process of learning about print. Exposing toddlers to books and stories will provide the foundation to help them gain the necessary literacy skills as they enter preschool. For this activity, you will need Colorations® Chubby Crayons (CRCHB) and White Sulfite Paper (A80SU).

Materials Needed:
Colorations® Chubby Crayons (CRCHB)
White Sulfite Paper (A80SU)

Let's Get Started: 1. By the time the child is two, the child has made attempts to make marks on a piece of paper. 2. During this stage of development the child will want to explore different writing instruments. 3. Large crayons and large markers are usually the best materials for young children to grasp and make marks. 4. KEEP IN MIND: A toddler should be closely supervised whenever using a writing instrument. Also, it is usually difficult for the toddler to make legible marks with large pencils. Crayons and markers usually are a better choice.

Furthermore....
Extend this activity by allowing each child to tell the class about what they drew.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: ER17: Begins to Experiment with Writing Instruments.