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January 2005
Play Store
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Raid your recycling bins for clean cereal cartons, yogurt
cups, and other boxes that you can use as items in your "store".
If you don't have toy money, use buttons, playing cards, or scraps
of paper.
Invite the children to be the shopkeepers and set up the food. Use
the floor, a table, or any flat surface to display your food. Use
plastic bags or shoeboxes for shopping baskets. Take turns working
at the "check out".
It is always amazing to see how much young children enjoy this
simple activity. Pretending to be grown-up shoppers and store-keepers
gives children a real sense of power and control. It also helps
them learn to be good citizens.
Observe the children as they "pay" for their groceries.
You may see them using math skills, like counting and adding, as
a natural part of their play. If they need some encouragement, ask
questions like, "How much does it cost to buy crackers at this
store?" or "Do you have any money left to buy something
else?"
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This activity supports the following goals and standards:
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Category: |
Social
Studies |
Illinois State Goal: |
Understand the
roles and influences of individuals and interest groups in the political
systems of Illinois, the United States and other nations. |
Illinois Learning Standard: |
Students will describe
and explain responsibilities of citizens; analyze the roles and
influences of individuals and interest groups in the political systems
of Illinois and the U.S. |
Early Learning Checklist/Benchmark: |
Understand the
use of trade to obtain goods and services. |
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March 2005
"I Spy" in Nature
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| Spring is finally here! Buds are sprouting and birds are singing. The next time you take the children on a nature walk, add a game of “I Spy”. This game will help children observe the outdoor environment.
To begin, look for an object that everyone can see, such as a tree or a park bench. Give one clue about the object, such as its color, by saying, “I spy with my little eye… something that is green.”
Then everyone guesses until someone comes up with the correct answer. Give children additional clues, as needed. Once children understand how the game works, they can take turns being the one who “spies”.
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This activity supports the following goals and standards:
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Category: |
Social Studies |
Illinois State Goal: |
Students will be able to locate, describe and explain places, regions and features of the earth using geographic terms, methods and representations. |
Illinois Learning Standard: |
Locate, describe and explain places, regions and features of the earth. |
Early Learning Checklist/Benchmark: |
Geographic development – Locates objects and places in familiar environments (i.e. classroom, home, school, neighborhood) |
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April 2005
Get Out the Vote!
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| Ask children, “What do you know about voting?” Listen to their answers. Explain that voting is a way for each person to say what he/she thinks is important.
Create a very simple election process with the children. One example is to have a vote for a snack choice. Perhaps the two choices are saltine crackers and graham crackers. Give each child a “ballot” (a piece of paper). Show the children how to cast their vote by writing “S” for saltine or “G” for graham. Collect the ballots and demonstrate how to count them. Explain that the cracker that receives the most votes will “win”. Announce the results (such as “8 votes for saltines and 5 votes for graham crackers”) and ask the children to help you figure out which cracker won. (“Which number is bigger, 8 or 5?”)
Some young children have a hard time being on the losing side. They may feel very disappointed if their favorite cracker does not win. Go ahead and give each child his/her favorite cracker, regardless of the election outcome. In the years ahead, they’ll have plenty of time to learn about the excitement and heartbreak of real elections. For today, let everyone be the winner!
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This activity supports the following goals and standards:
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Category: |
Social Studies |
Illinois State Goal: |
Students will describe and explain responsibilities of citizens: analyze the roles and influences of individuals and interest groups in the political systems of Illinois and the United States. |
Illinois Learning Standard: |
Understand election processes and responsibilities of citizens. |
Early Learning Checklist/Benchmark: |
Participates in voting as a way of making choices. |
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April 2005
Doll Maps
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| For this activity, you'll need either doll house furniture, or small blocks that can be used as furniture.
Give each child a blank piece of paper. Tell the children that the paper will be the "floor" of the room. Give each child a small toy, a person or an animal, to "live in the room". Then encourage the children to arrange the small furniture or blocks on the "floor".
When the rooms are finished, tell the children that they can make maps of their rooms. Using a pencil, show the children how to hold a piece of furniture (or block) in place so you can trace around it. Trace all the pieces of furniture. Then remove the furniture and look at the paper. It is now a "map" of the room, showing where each piece goes. Show the children how you can use the "map" as a guide to put the furniture back just where it was.
The children may also be encouraged to color and label their maps.
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This activity supports the following goals and standards:
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Category: |
Social Studies |
Illinois State Goal: |
Students will be able to locate, describe and explain places, region and features of the earth using geographic terms, methods and representations. |
Illinois Learning Standard: |
Locate, describe and explain places, regions and features on the earth. |
Early Learning Checklist/Benchmark: |
Creates maps of an area (i.e. bedroom, classroom) |
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May 2005
Caps for Sale
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| Another popular picture book is Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina. In Caps for Sale, a peddler carries his entire inventory of caps on the top of his head and walks through the streets of the town calling, "Caps! Caps for sale! Fifty cents a cap!"
Of course, the fun of the story comes from the mischief of a group of monkeys who steal the caps from the peddler. Children love to act out the story of Caps for Sale. Even shy children are often willing to join the group of monkeys.
After reading Caps for Sale, you can also talk about how "peddlers" sell their "wares". Ask the children if they have ever seen a peddler. They may think they have not. Then ask them if they have ever seen someone selling ice cream from a truck or a cart. They probably have.
Encourage the children to pretend that they are peddlers. Ask them what they are selling and how much it costs. Maybe they can even balance their wares on their heads, like the peddler in Caps for Sale!
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This activity supports the following goals and standards:
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Category: |
Social Studies |
Illinois State Goal: |
Students will be able to demonstarte an understanding of basic economic terms... |
Illinois Learning Standard: |
Understand how different economic systems operate in the exchange, production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. |
Early Learning Checklist/Benchmark: |
Begin to understand the use of trade to obtain goods and services. |
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May 2005
You've Got Mail!
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| Children enjoy pretending to be mail carriers. Put out paper, pencils, envelopes, and stickers. Invite the children to "write" letters to send to each other. Find a blue cap or jacket for the "mail carrier" to wear.
If you know what time the mail is usually delivered to your school or family day care home, perhaps one day you could gather the children at the front door to greet your mail carrier. Once the children get to know the mail carrier, they may want to make cards or treats to give to him/her. It's a nice way to get to know one of your real-life community helpers.
This might be a good time to read the funny and entertaining picture book, The Jolly Postman, by Janet and Allan Ahlberg.
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This activity supports the following goals and standards:
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Category: |
Social Studies |
Illinois State Goal: |
Students will describe and explain responsibilities of citizens: analyze the roles and influences of individuals and interest groups in the political systems of Illinois and the U.S. |
Illinois Learning Standard: |
Understand the roles and influences of individuals and interest groups in the political systems of Illinois, the U.S. and other nations. |
Early Learning Checklist/Benchmark: |
Recognizes community helpers and functions. |
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May 2005
"When I Was Young..."
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Children love to hear stories. And they especially like to hear true stories about when their parents or caregivers were little.
Our stories don't have to be long or exciting. Just sharing a memory is enough. Here are some questions to help you get started.
As a child, what was your favorite food?
What was your favorite toy?
Who was your best friend?
Did you ever get in trouble? What for?
Did your brothers or sisters ever make you mad? What for?
What were family holidays like?
What did you like to do after school?
What did you like to do outdoors?
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This activity supports the following goals and standards:
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Category: |
Social Studies |
Illinois State Goal: |
Students will be able to identify and compare characteristics of culture as reflected in language, literature, the arts, tradition and history. |
Illinois Learning Standard: |
Understands the roles and interactions of individuals and groups in society. |
Early Learning Checklist/Benchmark: |
Understands that each of us belongs to a family. |
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May 2005
Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
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| Young children are still learning to understand how time passes. For example, it is quite normal for a three year-old to say that something happened "yesterday", regardless of whether the event actually happened a week ago, a month ago, or, in fact, yesterday.
When talking with young children, be sure to use the words "yesterday", "today", and "tomorrow" frequently. Use specific, lively examples that help children understand these concepts.
For example, when eating a meal with children, talk about the menu for the week. "Yesterday, we had chicken nuggets for lunch. Today we are having macaroni. Tomorrow we will have pizza."
You can reinforce these concepts by asking children open-ended questions.
"What did you do yesterday?"
"What is the weather like today?"
"What color do you think you will wear tomorrow?"
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This activity supports the following goals and standards:
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Category: |
Social Studies |
Illinois State Goal: |
Students will be able to understand and analyze events, trends, individuals and movements shaping the history of Illinois, the U.S. and other nations. |
Illinois Learning Standard: |
Apply the skills of historical anaysis and interpretation. |
Early Learning Checklist/Benchmark: |
Show understanding of time concepts. |
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May 2005
Baby Food!
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| Stir up some memories and conversations about babies -- have a baby food taste-fest!
You'll need a several jars of baby food, a bunch of disposable spoons, and some paper plates. Offer children tastes of creamy rice cereal, smooth peaches, and yummy pears. Dab a little on each plate. Most children are delighted to have the chance to taste something from their younger days.
Tasting baby food is also a great way to start conversations about what babies need and the different roles of family members in caring for babies.
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This activity supports the following goals and standards:
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Category: |
Social Studies |
Illinois State Goal: |
Students will be able to identify and compare characteristics of culture as reflected in language, literature, the arts, tradition and history. |
Illinois Learning Standard: |
Understand the roles and interactions of individuals and groups in society. |
Early Learning Checklist/Benchmark: |
Understand family needs, roles, and relationships. |
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