Toddler Programs Chapter
By Miranda Bauer and WyLaina Hildreth
Family Scootin’ Boogie
- Books to Share
- Nametag
- Fingerplays
- Rhymes and Poetry
- Flannel Boards
- Crafts
- Games and Activities
- Books to Display or Booktalk
- Bulletin Board
- Displays
- Videos/DVD’s/Films
- Web Sites
- Professional Resources
Books to Share
If Kisses Were Colors by Janet Lawler.
Abuela by Arthur Dorros.
The Family Book by Todd Parr.
Mama Cat has Three Kittens by Denise Fleming.
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis.
Nametag
Cut out individual paper doll shapes for each of the children who come to the program. Use the patterns from web sites such as About.com Family Crafts: Design Your Own Paper Dolls at http://familycrafts.about.com/od/paperdolls/tp/paperdolls.htm. Write the child’s name on the doll and attach it to their clothing.
Fingerplays
Family
(Begin with an open hand and extended fingers. Point to each finger as you recite the rhyme, beginning with your “thumb” for the mother.)
This is the mother, so kind and good.
This is the father who buys our food.
This is the brother so big and tall.
This is the sister who loves her doll.
This is the baby so little you see.
Short and tall is the family.
Rhymes and Poetry
These Are Grandma’s Glasses
These are Grandma’s glasses,
This is Grandma’s hat,
This is the way she folds her arms,
And lays them in her lap.
These are Grandpa’s glasses,
This is Grandpa’s hat,
This is the way he folds his arms,
And takes a little nap.
Flannel Boards
Make a flannel board to go along with the picture book, Mama Cat has Three Kittens by Denise Fleming, using the picture of a cat from First School at, http://www.first-school.ws/theme/animals/cp_pets/cp_cat.htm.
Crafts
Family Photo Frame
Materials
- Craft sticks
- Glue
- Construction paper
- Markers, or other embellishments you have on hand
Directions
Give each child four craft sticks to glue together into square with a space in the middle for a photo. Allow each child to decorate a frame however they like.
Family Collage
Materials
- Children’s magazines
- Glue sticks
- Construction paper
- Scissors
Directions
Have the children find pictures of families in the magazines. These pictures can be of animal families, cartoon families, or photographs of people. They can also include pictures of individuals. Ask the children to cut out the pictures they find and glue the magazine pages to the construction paper to make a collage, with the help of their caregivers.
Family Puppets
Materials
- Small individual photographs of family members
- Craft sticks
- Construction paper
- Laminating sheets
Directions
In advance, cut construction paper into 5 X 7 inch rectangles. These will accommodate a 4 X 6 inch photograph, which is a common size. You can also make a variety of sizes of rectangles to accommodate smaller photographs. Let the parents trim the photographs they bring in to fit on the construction paper and the children glue the photographs to the paper. The librarian or parent applies the laminating sheets to protect the photographs. The child glues a craft stick to the back of the photograph to make a puppet. Let the children make one puppet with a picture of each family member.
Games and Activities
Play bring out a collection of multicultural family puppets for free play after stories and encourage adults and children to interact.
Play “De Colores” while children dance with Hispanic Paper Flowers or Rainbow Streamers (see “Toddler Programs: Texas Skies” for Rainbow Streamers craft).
Books to Display or Booktalk
Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman.
Clifford’s Family by Norman Bridwell.
Hooray for Fish! by Lucy Cousins.
Quilt Story by Tony Johnston.
The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant.
Bulletin Board
My Family / Mi Familia
Make a bilingual bulletin board that shows a family. Display pictures or photographs of family members such as mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, babies, grandmothers and grandfathers, aunts and uncle, and cousins. The photographs or pictures should reflect a diverse group of people and avoid stereotypes. For example, avoid photographs of grandmothers with grey hair and buns. When the photographs are up, label them in two different languages. For example, label them in Spanish and English as “Mother / Madre, Father / Padre, Brother / Hermano, Sister / Hermana, Baby / Bebè, Grandmother / Abuela, Grandfather /Abuelo, Aunt / Tìa, Uncle / Tìo, and Cousin / Primo or Prima (depending on gender).
Displays
Along with books, display photographs of your staff. Take current photographs of staff and display them with photographs of staff with their families. These photographs can be both older and/or current. Make copies of the photographs if staff members want them back before the end of the summer. This type of display will allow you to show different types of families. Some photographs may have only one child or parent.
Videos/DVD’s/Films
“The Napping House” on Good Night, Gorilla...and More Bedtime Stories. (51 minutes).
Web Sites
First-School.ws: Cat Coloring Pages
http://www.first-school.ws/theme/animals/cp_pets/cp_cat.htm
This site includes several cat coloring pages.
About.com Family Crafts: Design Your Own Paper Dolls
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/paperdolls/tp/paperdolls.htm
Templates, ideas, and more information about paperdolls.
Professional Resources
A to Z Teacher Stuff: Families
http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/Themes/Family/</ br> Ideas for songs, art, activities, and more.
Everything Preschool - Family Theme
http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/families/index.htm
This web site has songs, games, and an encyclopedia which will help toddlers learn about families.
Family Theme
http://stepbystepcc.com/familytheme.html
This web site for teachers includes information on books to read aloud, songs, fingerplays, and information on families.
Gayle’s Preschool Rainbow: Me, My Family and Friends http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/family-theme.htm
This web site contains recommended books, activities, and songs which can be included in a storytime with the theme of family and friends.