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EARLY CHILDHOOD NEWSLETTER

 

Volume 3 Issue 09
April 25, 2005


THIS ISSUE'S EARLY CHILDHOOD NEWSLETTER THEME:

Mothers Day


WELCOME! to Education World's Early Childhood Newsletter. Every other week, I'll share some ideas on a familiar teaching theme. Hopefully you will find a new activity idea or two -- or a new twist on one of your old favorites! Since I know you are very busy, I'll be short and sweet -- like most of activities I suggest.

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A WORD ABOUT THIS ISSUE'S THEME

“Spring has sprung, the grass is riz…” Or has it? Whatever your weather looks like outside, our calendars indicate that spring is officially here. We can’t help but savor the thoughts of buds on trees, colorful flowers, and bright blue skies that spring brings. Celebrate this season of awakenings with your students as you involve them in activities that are sure to help them GROW!

Susan LaBella
Editor, Early Childhood Education Newsletter



ACTIVITY IDEAS

MOTHER OR CHILD?
Invite your students to play this game. On separate index cards write the names (or paste illustrations) of animal mothers or their young. For example, the word “dog” might appear on one card, the word “puppy” on another. Other cards might have words such as cow, calf; pig, piglet; sheep, lamb; cat, kitten… Pin or tape one card to each student’s back. Students should not know the word on their backs. They should find their matching partner by asking one another questions such as “Am I large?”, “Do I live outdoors?”, and so on.

MARK IT!
Take a photo of each child (full-body, close up). After the photos are developed, cut out around the image of the child in each photo. Help children paste their photo image onto a piece of construction paper that is the size of a bookmark. Write each child’s name and the year on the paper. Next, laminate the bookmark and punch a hole in the top. Thread some colorful yarn or string through the hole. A great gift for Mother’s Day!

NAME THAT SOUND
Tape record sounds heard around the house that a mother initiates (for example, turning on a blender, a washing machine, cracking eggs into a bowl, a vacuum cleaner, washing dishes, and so on). Let children listen to the sounds one at a time and invite them to guess what is making the sound. At Circle Time, talk about all the things mothers, grandmothers, significant females, and other family members do for everyone.

THE GIFT OF LOVE
Provide each child with a small box (jewelry size). Help each child wrap the box in a colorful floral print. Tie a matching ribbon around the box and attach this little rhyme:

My gift to you is in this box.
It’s a gift you cannot see.
Although you can’t unwrap it
You’ll know that it’s from me.

Always keep it close to you
And keep the ribbon tied.
Smile when you look at it.
It has my love inside.
(child’s name)

A MOTHER’S DAY “TAIL”
Read to children The Mother’s Day Mice by Jan Brett (Houghton Mifflin). Talk about the three mice brothers and the presents they wanted to give their mother. Ask: How do you think Little Mouse felt when he went home without a present? Why was the gift he finally gave his mother (a song) so special? Follow up by inviting children to sing some favorite Mother’s Day songs.



ON THE WEB

Check out the following Web sites for more background and activities.

Happy Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day lesson ideas, gifts to make, and other resources.
http://www.educationworld.com/holidays/archives/mothersday.shtml

Mother’s Day Magic: Today’s Gift, Tomorrow’s Treasure
Find the history of Mother’s Day, and get some creative gift ideas. http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr337.shtml

“Flowers for Mom” Match Game
Play an online flower matching game.
http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/mothersday/games/match_up/start.htm

Pre-K Fun -- Mother’s Day
Loads of activity ideas that span the curriculum.
http://www.prekfun.com/Theme_Pages/M_R/mothersDay/MAIN_MOTHERSDAY.htm

DLTKs Mother’s Day Recipes
Let kids (with an adult’s help) make these recipes for mom.
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/mom/recipes/index.htm

 



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