Preschool teachers and daycare providers can help children learn to recognize and write the letter S through fun activities that support clear learning objectives.

Learning Objectives

• The students will identify the letter V.
• The students make and recognize the V sound.
• The students will learn to trace and write upper and lower case V’s.
• The students will identify objects that begin with the letter V.
• The students will make a Valentine’s Day wreath.
• The students will make a letter V vase.
• The students will learn about volcanoes and create an erupting volcano.
• The students will listen to books that feature the letter V.

Handwriting and Alphabet Recognition

Introduce the children to the letter V along with simple objects that begin with the letter V. Create a colorful letter V poster board or bulletin board that presents both the upper and lower case V. Include pictures of objects cut from magazines that begin with the letter V. For example: valentine, violin, vulture, volcano, vegetables, van, vase, vine, vacuum, vest, volleyball, and vampire.

Write both the upper and lowercase V on a whiteboard or chalkboard. Demonstrate the V sound and ask the children to make (repeat) the V sound. Next ask the children to think of words (names, objects, or places) that might begin with the letter V.

Allow the children to practice tracing the letter V in both upper and lower case using a letter V worksheet. A good example of such a worksheet is available on the Kid’s Learning Station website. Children can also practice writing and tracing the letter V on blank sheets of paper using pencils, colored pencils, or crayon. Read the rest of this entry »

Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a group of disorders that include inattentiveness, over-activity, and/or impulsivity. Daycare providers must recognize the signs of symptoms of ADHD as well as how to manage children diagnosed with the disorder.

Part 3 of our interview with child neurologist Dr. Sara J. Dorison provides tips for child care center educators dealing with ADHD behaviors.

OwnADaycare: Could you give a few tips to help preschool teachers or daycare providers help manage ADHD behaviors?

Dr. Dorison: It is often difficult for a preschool teacher to know how to manage an ADHD child.  This is especially true of the teacher has a large class, an assistant who is not highly trained or if there are several ADHD children together in one class.

1.  Set expectations that the child can meet.  For example, insisting that a child sit for extended periods of time is likely to be unattainable and for this reason a teacher would be wise to allow ADHD children a bit more leeway in terms of physical activity.  If the child is not able to meet expectations, then the expectations need to be changed or accommodations can be made such as allowing a child to run class errands or hand out snacks (instead of trying to wait quietly).

2.  Identify one or two “problem behaviors” to target.  For example, if an ADHD child is physically aggressive, then the teacher and child can sit down and talk about “angry hands don’t touch.”  If all behaviors are targeted at once, the child will be confused and unable to meet the demands.  This will result in frustration and poor cooperation.  Other behaviors such as not cleaning, fidgeting, etc. should be dealt with after the aggression has resolved. Read the rest of this entry »

Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a group of disorders that include inattentiveness, over-activity, and/or impulsivity. Daycare providers must recognize the signs of symptoms of ADHD as well as how to manage children diagnosed with the disorder.

Part 2 of our interview with child neurologist Dr. Sara J. Dorison details the important aspects of managing ADHD in the preschool setting.

OwnADaycare: What are the symptoms of ADHD in preschool children?

Dr. Dorison: Preschool children with ADHD often have difficulty sitting still during story reading (“happy circle”), finishing little projects and waiting their turns.  Often they have low frustration tolerance which can lead to impulsive aggression.  For example, an ADHD child is more likely to push another child when that child grabs for a toy.   Due to impulsivity, many children with ADHD have a hard time following the rules.   Often it is hard for the ADHD child to “keep his hands to himself” since impulsivity is such a prominent feature.   Transitions such as going from the playground to the classroom can be difficult for them and they have a great deal of difficulty waiting quietly.   They might have difficulty learning their letters since paying attention in class is hard for them.   Low frustration tolerance can lead to tantrums.

OwnADaycare: What can parents or early childhood educators do if they suspect children are exhibiting ADHD behaviors?
Read the rest of this entry »

Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a group of disorders that include inattentiveness, over-activity, and/or impulsivity. Daycare providers must recognize the signs of symptoms of ADHD as well as how to manage children diagnosed with the disorder.

Our interview with child neurologist Dr. Sara J. Dorison details the important aspects of ADHD in the preschool setting.

OwnADaycare: What is ADHD?

Dr. Dorison: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a syndrome characterized by the presence of clinically significant levels of hyperactivity, impulsivity, disorganization, difficulty staying on task, short attention span, and difficulty waiting on line, interrupting, and low frustration tolerance. The diagnosis is based on the DSM-IV criteria which outline the criteria necessary to make the diagnosis.  It is felt to be present in about 5% of children.

OwnADaycare: How is ADHD diagnosed?

Dr. Dorison: ADHD is a clinical diagnosis and is made by taking an appropriate history and physical examination of the child and their behavior.  Unfortunately, there is no blood test, genetic testing, brain wave test or brain imaging test that can currently make the diagnosis.  The diagnosis is often made with the assistance of psychoeducational testing, or with a clinical interview, generally with a child psychiatrist or child neurologist.  The clinical features must be present in at least two settings and over a period of time.   Often doctors or psychologists use the Connor Rating Scales which ask parents and teachers to fill out forms regarding behaviors.   It is important to rule out other disorders that can present similarly in a young child.  These include Asperger Syndrome, Developmental Delay, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Autism, deafness, lead poisoning and severe anxiety. Read the rest of this entry »

Presidents’ Day is a holiday which honors two presidents of the United States: Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. Presidents’ Day is celebrated in the United States on the third Monday in February. Celebrate Presidents’ Day in your daycare center by reading age appropriate stories that focus on great presidents, the presidency, and President’s Day-themed activities.

Consider the following reading lists and resources for free Presidents’ Day worksheets, coloring pages, and handwriting practice sheets for your child care center:

Reading List

Presidents’ Day Board and Picture Books Baby-Age 3

The Story of Abraham Lincoln by Patricia A. Pingry and Stephanie McFetridge Brit [Candy Cane Press, 2001]

The Story of Gettysburg by Patricia A. Pingry and Stephanie McFetridge Brit [Ideal Publications, 2003]

A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln by David Adler, John Wallner, and Alexandra Wallner [Holiday House, 1990]

The Story of George Washington by Patricia A. Pingry and Stephanie McFetridge Brit [Candy Cane Press, 2000]

A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln by David Adler, John Wallner, and Alexandra Wallner [Holiday House, 1990]

My First President’s Day Book by Aileen Fisher and Lynda Halverson [Childrens PR, 1987] Read the rest of this entry »

Valentine’s Day or Saint Valentine’s Day, which is celebrated on February 14, is the traditional day on which people express their love for each other through Valentine’s cards, gifts and other acts of thoughtfulness. Celebrate Valentine’s Day in your daycare center by reading age appropriate stories that focus on the symbols of Valentine’s Day and by implementing Valentine’s Day-themed activities.

Consider the following reading lists and resources for free Valentine’s Day worksheets, coloring pages, and handwriting practice sheets for your child care center:

Reading List

Valentine’s Day Board and Picture Books Baby-Age 3

Elmo’s Valentine (A Chunky Book) by Stephanie St. Pierre and David Prebenna [RandomHouse, 1997]

Be My Valentine by Beatrix Potter [Warne, 2002]

It’s Valentine’s Day!: A Rosie Rabbit Book by Harriet Ziefert and Laura Rader [Sterling, 2005]

Be Mine, Be Mine, Sweet Valentine by Sarah Weeks and Fumi Kosaka [HarperFestival, 2005]

Valentine’s: A Book to Touch and Feel by Sugar Pixie [Little Simon, 2003]

Princess Valentine by Megan E. Bryant and Nancy Gale Carlson [Worthwhile Books, 2010] Read the rest of this entry »

When developing curriculum, daycare providers must include age-appropriate activities for young children that develop fine motor skills. This Valentine’s Day Caterpillar craft is an activity that will support a Thanksgiving unit as well as promote visual motor coordination, bilateral coordination, and hand strength.

Fine motor skills are actions that involve the small movement of hands, wrists, feet, fingers, toes, tongue, and lips. In contrast with gross motor skills which involve larger muscles of the arms, legs and feet, fine motor skills focus on small muscle movements in coordination with the eye. Some important fine motor concepts and skills that preschool age children learn to master are bilateral coordination, visual motor coordination, grasp, hand use, manipulation skills, pincer grasp, wrist rotation, pre-writing grasp, hand strength, and tactile awareness.

Children learn fine motor skills through practice. Activities which involve writing, drawing, cutting, stringing, and buttoning are great examples of activities that promote the development of fine motor skills.

This Valentine’s Day craft includes the preparation instructions, procedure, and materials list for this activity. It also provides age-appropriate learning objectives and a sample of the simple supporting verbal cues necessary to encourage participation and support learning.

Valentine’s Day caterpillar Materials Read the rest of this entry »

Selecting infant daycare is a task not to be taken lightly. When you are selecting a daycare center in your area, it is important to understand the pros and cons of infant daycare and to know important questions to ask daycare providers. Our interview with Ashley Murphree, the owner of Carpe Diem Private Preschools, details the important aspects of selecting daycare for infants.

OwnADaycare: What options do parents have for infant daycare?

Murphree: Parents have the following options:

A family member, such as a grandmother

A nanny in their own home

Care in a child care provider’s home

Group care in a day care program/school

OwnADaycare: What is the earliest age that a parent should put his/her infant in daycare?

Murphree: 10-12 weeks

OwnADaycare: What are some important questions that parents should ask when selecting an infant care provider? Read the rest of this entry »

February is Black History Month, a month set aside to celebrate the accomplishments and culture of African Americans. Get a head start by planning history lessons, creative activities, and music and movement activities in your daycare center that celebrate the history of blacks in America.

Here are a few simple ideas in a variety of categories.

History

Books to Share

The ABC’s of Black History: A Children’s Guide by Craig Thompson [Beckham Publications Group, 2005]

Harriet Tubman and Black History Month by Polly Carter and J. Brian Pinkney [Silver Burdett PR, 1996]

If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks by Faith Ringold [Aladdin, 2003].

The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Johnny Ray Moore and Amy Wummer [Ideal Publications, 2002]

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles and George Ford [Scholastic, 2004]

Arts and Crafts

Growing Peanuts

George Washington Carver is best known for inventing peanut agricultural science. A fun craft which celebrates this invention is growing peanuts. Gather raw peanuts (available at most health food stores), zip loc bags, paper towels, and water.  Let each child put a couple of raw peanuts in a baggie along with a damp paper towel. Seal or zip the baggie and observe daily how peanuts grow. Remember to check with parents for allergies before attempting activities with peanuts!

Unity Wreath

A unity wreath symbolizes cultural unity. Children can cut out construction paper hands in skin tone colors (red, yellow and brown and white) to represent diverse “skin tones”. Children can then glue the hands to a wreath made of a heavy weight paper plate with the center cut out.

Music, Movement, and Gross Motor Skills

Garret Augustus Morgan is credited with inventing the traffic light. This action rhyme, courtesy of Gayle’s Preschool Rainbow, is a great way for children to symbolically honor Morgan.

Stop at the corner (both hands raised)
Wait for the light.
Look to the left      (turn head to one side)
Look to the right    (turn head to other side)
If nothing is coming
Then start and walk   (pick up legs as if walking)
Go straight across the street
Be careful and don’t talk    (Place finger at lips).

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson was the first black man to play in the major leagues since the 1880s. This song celebrates his accomplishments.

Jackie Robinson was his name
Playing baseball was his game.
First black man on a major league team
In 1947 he fulfilled his dream.
Jackie Robinson was his name,
He made it to the Hall of Fame.

Black History Month Resources

For further ideas for planning activities in your child day care center for Black History Month, try:

• African American Awareness by Evia L. Davis [Good Year Books, 1998]
• Crafts That Celebrate Black History by Kathy Ross [Millbrook Press, 2002]
• Black Books Galore’s Guide to Great African American Children’s Books by Donna Rand, Toni Trent Parker, and Sheila Foster[Jossey-Bass, 1998]

January 18, 2010 is Martin Luther King, Jr. day. This federal holiday commemorates the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., leader of the civil rights movement, and is celebrated every year on the third Monday of January.

While young children in a child care center may or may not be able to grasp the concepts of civil rights, slavery, and racism, preschool teachers and daycare providers can share crafts and books that teach peace and unity.

Peace and Unity Arts and Crafts

Unity Hand Shake Craft

Allow children to cut out construction paper hands in two different skin tones (for example, red, yellow, brown or white). Next let them cut out rectangles the size of cuffs and glue them to the wrists of the hands. Arrange the two hands into a handshake formation and secure them with a brass fastener.

Dream Collage

Gather the children and discuss the concepts of hopes and dreams. Next, prompt each child to discuss their hopes and dreams for the future. Each child can talk about what they would personally like to have, be, or do when they grow up. Next give each child a piece of square construction paper and let them draw whatever their dream happens to be. From these pictures create a dream collage. Read the rest of this entry »