Preschool Program
Celebraciones para campeones/
Celebrations for Champions
By Alexandra Corona and Paula Gonzales
Books to Share
- Arroz con frijoles…y unos amables ratones by Pam Muñoz Ryan.
- Count on Clifford by Norman Bridwell.
- Cuenta con Clifford by Norman Bridwell.
- El cumpleaños de Spot by Eric Hill.
- Happy Birthday! / ¡Feliz cumpleaños! by Mary Risk.
- Happy Birthday, Sam by Pat Hutchins.
- Mice and Beans by Pam Muñoz Ryan.
Nametag
Cupcake
Make nametags using the cupcake pattern.
Refreshments
Use a piñata as a centerpiece for your program. Fill the piñata with individual snack size boxes of raisins or individually wrapped packages of gummy bears or other candies. Allow each child to reach into the piñata and pull out a snack. Be sure to explain to the children how the piñata game is played and that this game is normally played outside.
Fingerplays
Este compró un huevito
(Traditional. English translation by Alexandra Corona.)
Este compró un huevito.
Este le puso a asar.
Este le echó la sal.
Este probó un poquito.
Y éste pícaro, gordo gordito
Se lo comió todito!
This One Bought an Egg
This one bought an egg. (Hold up five fingers and point to each finger starting with the pinky)
This one cooked it. (Touch the index finger)
This one sprinkles salt on it. (Touch the middle finger)
This one takes a tiny taste. (Touch the pointer finger)
And this sneaky chubby one (Touch the thumb)
Eats it all up!
Dance and Movement Song
“La raspa” on Diez deditos vol. 12 by José Luis Orozco provides instrumental music with no words. If you have a small audience, form a circle and dance. If your audience is large, invite the kids to stand in place to dance.
Audio Recordings
“La piñata” or “Las mañanitas” on De colores and Other Latin American Folk Songs for Children by José -Luis Orozco.
Flannel Boards
Tell “The Little Ant: A Spanish Folktale” on pages 76-77 of Multicultural Folktales for the Feltboard and Readers’ Theater by Judy Sierra. The patterns are provided in the book. If you prefer to read a book as you place pieces on the flannel board, the folktale is also available as, The Little Red Ant and the Great Big Crumb: A Mexican Fable by Shirley Climo.
Crafts
Cone Hats
Materials
- Ice cream cones, sugar or wafer (with pointed ends)
- White icing
- Sprinkles, jimmies, and other edible decorations
- Paper or plastic bowls
- Plastic knives
Directions
In advance, purchase ice cream cones. The sugar cones are a bit sturdier but either kind will work as long as the cones have a point. Place a cone upside down in the bowl so that the point of the cone is standing up. Let the kids spread icing over the cone and decorate it with sprinkles. Enjoy eating the hat as you celebrate!
Games and Activities
Play the game “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” with the children. Oriental Trading Co., www.orientaltrading.com, sells an inexpensive set if you do not have a local party supply store.
Videos/DVDs/Films
If you have public performance rights, show these videos and DVDs, or segments of them, to the children. Otherwise, display them for home use.
- “Happy Birthday to Blue!” on Blue’s Clues. Blue’s Birthday. (38 minutes)
- “Super Silly Fiesta!” on Dora the Explorer: Super Silly Fiesta! (49 minutes)
- “El baile del pingüino” on Fiesta! (30 minutes)
- Sesame Street Celebrates Around the World. (60 minutes)
Professional Resources
- Diez deditos vol. 12 by José Luis Orozco.
- The Little Red Ant and the Great Big Crumb: A Mexican Fable by Shirley Climo.
- Multicultural Folktales for the Feltboard and Readers’ Theater by Judy Sierra.
- Oriental Trading Company www.orientaltrading.com
