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Additional Activities for Preschool Children (ages 3-6)
Halloween Nursery Rhyme
Provided by Cathy S (Fall 2015)
Five Little Pumpkins is a nursery rhyme that I've used with children ages 3-5. Make it fun by exagerating the lyrics. For example, say "Oooooo went the wind" in a scary tone of voice and clap real loud when you say "Out went the lights". When you say "rolled out of site" make a rolling motion with your hands. After hearing it the first time children often want to hear the rhyme multiple times. Have them say it with you and act it out in fun ways. They will learn the words very quickly and be repeating it on their own before you even know it!
Five Little Pumpkins
Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate
The first one said, "My it's getting late"
The second one said, "There are witches in the air"
The third one said, "We don't care!"
The fourth on said, "Let's run and run and run!"
The fifth one said, "Isn't Halloween fun?!"
OOOOOOOOOOOO went the wind
Out went the lights
Those five little pumpkins
Rolled out of sight!
This is a common nursery rhyme available through multiple sources.
The Leaves are Falling (Arts and Crafts)
Provided by Cathy S (Fall 2015)
Materials required: Colorful leaves fresh off the trees, wax paper, iron, ironing board
or other flat surface that can handle the heat. Parent supervision required to use the iron.
Instructions: When the leaves start to fall off the trees have the kids (3+ years) pick their favorite colors and shapes. Lay one sheet of wax paper on the ironing board. Have the children arrange the leaves in a design of their chosing on the sheet of wax paper. Cover the leaves with a second sheet of wax paper that is similar in size to the first sheet. Carefully iron the wax paper to melt the wax on both the top and bottom sheet of paper. When done properly the colorful leaves are sealed between the two sheets of wax paper and can be hung up for display. Caution: Wax paper will be hot and will need to cool for a couple minutes after ironing.
Fun Song with Activity
Provided by Cathy S (Fall 2015)
Hi! My Name is Joe is a fun song that I have taught preschool children (ages 3-4) Various versions of this song can be found online for older children. The name Joe can be replaced with any name you wish--male or female. This song is fun for the children when you repeat it multiple times and at the end of each version you start a new motion and have the children follow your lead. Older children will be able to perform more motions simultaneously.
Hi! My Name is Joe
Hi! My name is Joe
I work in a button factory
I have a wife (or husband) and a family
One day my boss came up to me and said
"Hi Joe! Are you busy?"
I said "No sir!"
He (or she) said "Will you do this for me?"
Motion with your right hand going in circles as if washing a window. Encourage the children to imitate the motion. The lyrics will be repeated multiple times. Each time add a new motion. For example, the second time you go through the lyrics add the circling of the left hand. Continue all motions as you keep adding new ones. The third time you go through the lyrics add stomping the right foot. The fourth time add stomping the left foot. At this point you (and the children) should be "washing windows" with both hands and marching in place. If you get to a fifth activity have children turn in circles. Depending on the age of the children, you all may be laughing so hard by this time it becomes impossible to continue.
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