OwnADaycare asked childcare center owners and daycare business owners about how the economy affects daycare businesses to shed some light on the reality of the situation. Responses varied:

“The primary effect of a declining economy on child care providers is declining enrollment.  Child care providers who were once full, and in some cases with a waiting list, now have to spend additional time and energy marketing their schools to maintain enrollment.  Additionally, controlling costs without sacrificing high-quality programs and faculty is vital to remaining profitable.  Schools should ensure that they remain involved in their communities and look for innovative ways to be the first preschool thought of by local parents,” says Joseph Schumacher, CEO of Goddard Systems, Inc.

“In my view, day care centers have been affected by the recession less than many businesses.  Child care is a necessity for families with working parents.  Even unemployed parents often feel strongly that their children attend preschool.  Unemployed parents may cut back their child’s schedule, but generally do not have their child stop completely.  The closer a child is to kindergarten, the more likely parents strive to keep their child in a program.  Unemployed parents also need time to job hunt and will often keep their children in preschool to create that time and maintain a continuity for the children,” explains Jann Rudd, owner of Lily Pond Country Day School in Rivervale, New Jersey.

“The most obvious effect of a declining economy comes when parents actually lose their jobs.  It is difficult for parents to afford the cost of child care when one or both parents are out of a job.  We are finding that parents who appreciate the value of a quality preschool education will chose to enroll their children on a part-time basis vs. full time care.  Kids R Kids has been able to avoid laying off any of our teachers or management in this economy.  We are acutely aware that layoffs have occurred in our industry where school enrollment might be down,” says Julie Moye, co-owner of Kids ‘R’ Kids preschools in Cary, Morrisville and Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Parents struggling financially usually consider part-time daycare, co-op child care, or search for less expensive family daycare. If your childcare center has struggled because of our economic downturn, it is important to strive to maintain quality programming in order to keep the clients you currently serve.

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OwnADaycare: Must autistic children go to schools for children with special needs or can they attend a “traditional” daycare or preschool?

Van Driesen: Typical preschools are rarely prepared to offer a child with autism the support and therapy he/she needs to progress. For very young children on the autism spectrum, social settings may be extremely challenging. Children with autism may not learn through imitation (one of the basic difficulties inherent in autism), so just being around typical peers usually is not enough to learn social skills. In addition, the noise, physical interaction and high level of expectation in a typical preschool may be overwhelming.

Even with a one-on-one support at school, a child with autism may have a difficult time with behavioral and/or sensory challenges, such as circle time, sharing, and so forth. Teachers without specific training may not know how to help your child manage his or her behaviors. Also, typical preschool programs are not set up to provide the kind of intensive therapeutic programs so often recommended by professionals.   When preparing to send your child to preschool I highly recommend that you discuss preschool options with the professionals that evaluate and provide services to your child and family.  When making decisions about preschools for your child, there is “one size fits all”; each child will have individual needs and preschool programming should reflect these individual needs.

OwnADaycare: What should parents of autistic children  look for in a daycare or preschool?

Van Driesen: Although it is critical that children with autism receive specialized programming, many families have the need for their children to attend daycare.  Daycare facilities that specialize in the instruction and care of children with autism are extremely rare and families must rely on local and traditional day care facilities.  Optimally, , it is essential to choose a daycare provider that understands the social and communication issues common to autism and is well equipped to provide the support needed to acquire these skills successfully. Be sure to investigate details such as the teacher to student ratio and class size. Smaller classes are often the best environment for children with social interaction issues, providing opportunities to learn social skills without the pressure of large, overwhelming numbers of peers on which to practice them.  It may be appropriate for support services such as early intervention to be provided within the daycare setting to assist and train staff.

OwnADaycare: What tips can you offer preschool teachers and daycare providers who care for autistic children?

Van Driesen:

• Think and teach visually. Many children with autism are visual learners and using pictures and other visual aids during teaching is helpful.
• Use an area of interest or a special talent to connect with the child.  Using reinforcing materials may improve attention and focus during activities.
• Be aware of environmental distractions, such as bright lights and loud sounds, which may interfere with learning or comfort. Some children learn better when moving or using their hands, while other children may require silence in order to concentrate. Explore a variety of sensory environments with the child to determine which one is most conducive to learning.
• Utilize technology, such as television, CDs, and computers. Encourage use of the computer and keyboard to improve communication.
• Make your expectations simple and clear. Use concrete language when presenting directions, and reinforce those ideas with pictures or modeling. Avoid lengthy verbal instructions, and break tasks and instructions into clearly defined steps. Wait for the child to complete the first step before moving on to the next one.
• Stick to a routine. Some children with autism need routine to feel secure. Even the slightest disruption in schedule can cause tantrums. Prepare the child in advance for schedule changes or trips away from home.
• Be patient with yourself and the child.  Seek out support and training from experienced professionals.

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OwnADaycare: What is autism? How and when is it diagnosed?

Van Driesen: Autism is a complex, lifelong developmental disability that affects a child’s ability to communicate, understand language, play, and relate to others.  Autism is considered a “spectrum disorder” meaning that its symptoms and behaviors can present itself in a variety of combinations from mild to severe.  Children with autism process and respond to information in unique ways.

Among the early signs and symptoms that parents and Pediatricians look for to alert them that a child needs further evaluation for autism include:

• Not smiling by six months of age
• Not babbling, pointing or using other gestures by 12 months
• Not using single words by age 16 months
• Not using two word phrases by 24 months
• Having a regression in development, with any loss of language or social skills

Infants with autism might also avoid eye contact, and as they get older, act as if they are unaware of when people come and go around them.

There are no medical tests for diagnosing autism, so an accurate diagnosis must be based on the observation of the individual’s communication, behavior and developmental levels.  Your child will need to be referred to someone who specializes in diagnosing autism spectrum disorders. This may be a developmental pediatrician, a psychiatrist or psychologist, and other professionals that are able to observe and test your child in specific areas.  Children may be referred for a diagnostic screening and/or evaluation at 18 months of age or younger.  Early detection and intervention is critical to the provision of specialized early intervention services.

OwnADaycare: Are there special programs/schools for autistic children and if so how are they different from “regular” programs?

Van Driesen Specialized preschool programs for children with autism tend to provide a specific method of treatment within a small, highly structured learning environment.  Because of the individual differences among children with autism, an individualized approach that addresses the core deficits of autism spectrum disorders (e.g., communication, social, sensory, academic difficulties) and that matches each family’s preferences and needs is recommended.  The following components have been identified as effect for children with autism:

• A curriculum that addresses deficit areas, focuses on long-term outcomes, and considers the developmental level of each child.
• Programs that capitalize on children’s natural tendency to respond to visual structure, routines, schedules, and predictability.
• A focus on generalization and maintenance of skills, using technology such as incidental teaching approaches.
• Effective and systematic instructional approaches.
• Coordinated transitions between service delivery agencies, including early intervention/preschool programs, and kindergarten environments.
• Use of technology associated with functional behavioral assessment and positive behavioral supports with a child who presents behavioral challenges.
• Family involvement, including coordination between home and involved professionals; an in-home training component; and family training and support.

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Spring Art Activity
Eggshell Tulips*
You will need: Eggshells, pipe cleaners, tempura paint, markers, and glue

Clean and dry eggshell halves. Let children decorate the eggshells using tempura paint and let them dry overnight. The next day, children can add details to the tulips using markers. Shape the end of a green pipe cleaner into a small spiral shape and glue the spiral part of the eggshell.

Spring Cognitive Activity
Duck Sorting Activity

Duck sorting teaches young children both classification and counting. For this activity you will need to cut both large and small ducks out of yellow construction paper. You can use a template or draw them freehand. You will also need two containers. Ask the children to sort ducks into large and small, placing the small ducks in one container and large ducks in another. Next, ask the children to count the total number of small ducks and the total number of large ducks. Ask them which number is larger.

Spring Cooking Activity
Butterfly Sugar Cookies

As a special seasonal treat, try Butterfly Sugar Cookies. Heat an oven to 400°F. Using a butterfly cookie cutter, cut butterflies out of premade sugar cookie cookie dough. Bake cookies for 6 to 8 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool on a wire cooling rack. Ice the cookies with pastel icing. Next the children can decorate the butterflies with candies, licorice, and chewy fruit-flavored jelly candies etc.

Spring Finger Play

Five Little Flowers
Five little flowers standing in the sun (Hold up five fingers)
See their heads nodding, bowing one by one? (Bend fingers several times)
Down, down, down comes the gentle rain (Raise hands, wiggle fingers and lower
arms to simulate falling rain)
And the five little flowers lift their heads up again! (Hold up five fingers)

Spring Picture Books

Consider adding the following books to your child care resource center and read them during your Spring season unit:

How do you know it’s Spring? By Linda Masterson [Goldenbooks, 2002]
Spring Cleaning by Else Holmelund Minarik and David T. Wenzel [HarperFestival, 2003]
When Will it Be Spring by Catherine Walters [Dutton Juvenile, 2001]
Hunter Hopes for Spring by Marcus Pfister Herbert [NorthSouth, 1998]
Countdown to Spring! An Animal Counting Book by Janet Schulman and Meilo So [Knopf, 2004]

*Eggshell Tulip activity adapted from Enchanted Learning.com

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Introduce children to St. Patrick. Discuss the significance St. Patrick’s Day’s popular symbols: the four leaf clover, leprechauns, blarney stone, rainbows, and the pot of gold.

St. Patrick’s Day is a great time for daycare providers to enhance their curriculum with story-time books and activities that celebrate Irish history.

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

Reading List

St Patrick’s Day Board and Picture Books

St. Patrick’s Day Countdown by Salina Yoon [Price Stern Sloan, 2006]

Night before St. Patrick’s Day by Natasha Wing and Amy Wummer [Grosset & Dunlop, 2009]

On St. Patrick’s Day by Judy Zocchi and Rebecca Wallis[Dingles & Company,  2005]

St Patrick and the Three by Joyce Stengel and Herb Leonhard  [Pelican Publishing, 2009]

St. Patrick’s Day by Anne Rockwell and Lizzy Rockwell [HarperCollins, 2010]

St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning by Eve Blunting and Jann Bret [Clarion, 1980]

The Luckiest St. Patrick’s Day Ever by Teddy Slater and Ethan Long [Cartwheel, 2008]

Jack and the Leprechaun by Ivan Robertson and Katy Bratun [RandomHouse, 2000]

A Fine St. Patrick’s Day by Susan Wojciechowski and Tom Curry [Dragonfly Books, 2008]

It’s St. Patrick’s Day Dear Dragon by Mary Hillert and David Schimmell [Norwood House Press, 2008]

Clever Tom and the Old Leprechaun: An Old Irish Story by Linda Shute [Scholastic, 1990]

The Leprechaun Who Lost His Rainbow by Sean Callahan and Nancy Cote [Albert Whitman & Co., 2009]

St Patrick’s Day Early Readers Ages 4-8

It’s St. Patrick’s Day by Rebecca Gomez and Mary Morgan [Cartwheel, 2004]

St. Patrick’s Day by Carmen Bredeson [Children’s Press, 2003]

Dear Mr. Leprechaun: Letters from My First Friendship by Martin Nelson Burton and Clint Hansen [London Town Press, 2003]

Laura and the Leprechauns by Amber T Kingston and Jill Ronsley [Chrysalis Press, 2007]

Mary McClean and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade by Steven Kroll and Michael Dooling [Scholastic, 1993]

Good Luck: A St. Patrick’s Day Story by Joan Holub and Will Terry [Aladdin, 2007]

Magic Treehouse #43: Leprechuan in Late Winter by Mary Pope Osborne and Sal Murdocca [Random House Books, 2010]

That’s What Leprechauns Do by Eve Bunting and Emily Arnold McCully [Sandpiper, 2009]

Leprechaun Luck: A Wee Book of Irish Wisdom by Erin Gobraugh and Catherine O’Neill [simon and Schuster,  2003]

The Luckiest St. Patrick’s Day Ever by Teddy Slater and Ethan Long [Cartwheel, 2008]

The Leprechaun in the Basement by Kathy Tucker and John Sanford [Albert Whitman & Co., 2002]

St. Patrick’s Day Preschool Worksheets and Printables

There are many worksheets for St. Patrick’s Day that you can print out and use for your lesson plans and activities. Worksheets should include coloring pages, handwriting worksheets, and printable craft patterns.

The following websites provide free St. Patrick’s Day printables:

First-Preschool: Coloring pages, card, patterns, crafts and worksheets.

A to Z Teacher Stuff: St. Patrick’s Day printables, coloring pages, activities and word searches

ABCTeach:  Free St. Patrick’s Day worksheets and printables

DLTK’s Crafts for Kids: St. Patrick’s Day recipes, worksheets, coloring pages, crafts, games and puzzles

All Kids Network: Free color St. Patrick’s Day printable worksheets

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Teaching young children foreign languages a huge topic and one that many daycare providers or those that own childcare centers debate.  In our interview with Myelita Melton, CEO of SpeakEasy Communications, Inc, and author of the SpeakEasy Spanish™ series, Melton explains the importance of teaching foreign language to young children.

OwnADaycare: What is an appropriate age to begin learning foreign languages?

Melton: Experts agree that introducing children to second and third languages as early as possible is best. The earlier a child is exposed to another language the greater the likelihood that the child will become truly proficient in the language. Some suggest that waiting until age 10 or later is too late to develop true fluency.

OwnADaycare: What are the benefits of learning foreign languages at an early age (infants, toddlers, preschoolers)?

Melton: The benefits of learning foreign languages at an early age are numerous:

1. Children develop a life-long love of communicating with others
2. Standardized test scores are often higher than for those of children who do not learn second languages
3. Children develop a greater appreciation for diversity.
4. A child’s ability in English is enhanced from learning about the structure of other languages.
5. Children have the capacity to learn many languages without getting them confused. The body automatically compartmentalizes each language correctly.
6. Children will achieve a more native grasp of both grammar and pronunciation in the second language.
7. Since we live in a global community that’s filled with diversity, the need for a child to have second language capability is greater today than ever before.
8. Bilingual skills are in great demand in the job market

OwnADaycare: What are some of the myths about exposing young children to foreign languages?

Melton: Common myths about exposing children to languages are:

1. A child’s short attention span prohibits second language learning
2. A child must be able to read and write in English before beginning second language study
3. A child must be totally immersed in the language in order to begin learning a second language

OwnADaycare: Are there benefits to being bilingual when you are learning to read?

Melton: By being exposed to foreign languages a child can more easily see vocabulary and grammatical structures that the English and the other language have in common. Seeing commonalities in vocabulary helps a child learn new words more easily.

OwnADaycare: Can you describe how a full immersion daycare or preschool program works?

Melton: During language immersion programs children spend all or a large portion of their day learning in a foreign language. The foreign language is used to teach in all other subject areas. It is not a separate subject area.

OwnADaycare: What are the advantages of a full immersion daycare or preschool program? Any disadvantages?

Melton: Children in total immersion programs work toward total fluency in the foreign language. They are more likely to “think” and function naturally in the language. Normally, they are able to achieve an extremely high level of overall competency, and they hold speakers of that language in high regard. In addition, their skills in English flourish.

OwnADaycare: What are some tips for daycare provider and preschool teachers who wish to begin incorporating foreign language learning into their curriculum?

Melton:

1. Determine the long and short-term goals for your language immersion program
2. Purchase age and subject appropriate materials
3. Hire qualified instructors
4. Get the support of parents
5. Offer frequent staff development opportunities and planning time

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Learning Objectives

• The students will identify the letter S.
• The students make and recognize the S sound.
• The students will learn to trace and write upper and lower case Ss.
• The students will identify objects that begin with the letter S.
• The students will participate in Spider, Spider Finger Play.
• The students will make strawberry pops.
• The students will listen to books that feature the letter S.

Handwriting and Alphabet Recognition

Introduce the children to the letter S along with simple objects that begin with the letter S. Create a colorful letter S poster board that presents both the upper and lower case S. Include pictures of objects cut from magazines that begin with the letter D. For example: Squirrel, saw, skunk, star, snail, snow, sand, sugar, slipper, shoe, seashell, strawberry, scale, snake, shirt, spider, seal, and sandwich.

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

Allow the children to practice tracing the letter S in both upper and lower case using a letter S worksheet. A good example of such a worksheet is available on the First Preschool website. Children can also practice writing and tracing the letter S on blank sheets of paper using pencils, colored pencils, or crayon.

Letter S Group Time

Spider, Spider Finger Play

Spider hurrying,
(Run fingers back and forth.)
Spider scurrying,
See her silken thread.
(Stretch thread between fingers and thumb.)
Spider hurrying,
(Run fingers back and forth.)
Spider scurrying,
See her little web.
(Make spiral with fingers.)

Letter S Cooking and Snack Activity

Strawberry Pops

Ingredients:  10 ounces of sweetened strawberries and 2 cups frozen yogurt.

Tools: Blender, Popsicle molds, popsicles sticks

Add fruit and yogurt to a blender.  Puree, and then pour into Popsicle molds.  Insert Popsicle sticks and freeze for 3 hours or until set.
Letter S Story Time

• Snake Camp by George Edward Stanley [Random House, 2000]
• Snow Day by Lester M. Laminack and Adam Gustavson [Peachtree Publisher, 2007]
• Tiny Snail by Tammy Carter Bronson [Bookaroos, 2000]
• Shark in the Park by Phil Roxbee Cox , Jenny Tyler and Stephen Cartwright [Usborne Books, 2006]
• Max Dragon’s Shirt by Rosemary Wells [Puffin, 2000]
• She Sells Seashells: A Tongue Twister Story by Grace Kim and Patricia Hammel [Scholastic, 1996]

Including these simple activities into the curriculum of child care centers will greatly enhance preschoolers’ language learning. Lesson plans should contain clear learning objectives but also remember to seize spontaneous moments of opportunity to teach.

*Spider, Spider finger play taken from MrsJonesroom.com.

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According to Art and Creative Development for Young Children by Schirrmacher and Fox [Delmar Cengage Learning, 2008], “Creative expression fosters emotional development and positive mental health by validating the uniqueness of the individual…Creativity fosters success and mastery since there is no one right way involved…children feel worthy and confident knowing that they can have an effect on their environment”.

Preschool teachers and daycare providers have the opportunity to foster creative development in young children by providing art activities that explore media and materials and encourage imagination.

Crayon Melt Art is an outstanding illustration of a creative activity that provides the opportunity for expression and promotes spontaneity in material usage. It is also a great way to introduce children to textured materials.

This lesson contains the materials list, preparation instructions and procedures for this activity. The age appropriate learning objectives and a sample of the simple supporting verbal cues necessary to encourage participation and support learning are also included.

Crayon Melt Art Materials List

• Electric Griddle
• Aluminum foil
• Old crayons
• Blank sheets of paper
• Oven mitts
• Damp Cloth

Activity Preparation:

Cover the electric griddle with aluminum foil to protect it.  Cover table with butcher paper and place paper and crayons on the table. Set the griddle on low to warm it.

Procedures for Roller Print Art Activity

This activity requires close adult supervision!!

1. Invite the children over and tell that you are going to take turns making colorful designs by melting crayons.
2. Invite one child over and let them carefully draw a pattern on the foil with crayons. The crayons will melt and create colorful designs.
3. With oven mitts on, place a sheet of paper over the crayon design and carefully smooth the paper down.
4. Lift the paper off. The design will transfer onto the paper.
5. Using a damp cloth, wipe the foil clean and invite another child over to participate in the activity.

Crayon Melts Art Lesson Objectives

Objective 1

To provide the opportunity for expressive activities through the crayon melt activity by encouraging the children to create designs using crayons.

Verbal Cue A: Today we are going to make crayon melts!

Verbal Cue B: you can use the crayons to make a design.

Objective 2

To encourage spontaneity in material usage by allowing the children to choose colors or to blend the colors they choose

Verbal Cue A: Which color would you like to use first?

Verbal Cue B: I like the way you are mixing your colors!

Objective 3

To promote the sharing of art materials to foster social interaction and cooperation

Verbal Cue A: Let’s take turns using crayons.

Verbal Cue B: Can you let Bill use the red crayon?

Crayon Melts is a enjoyable, creative activity that children in preschool and child care centers ages 3 and older will certainly enjoy. While it is a creative activity, it is also great for developing motor skills. 

Crayon Melt Art activity adapted from: Kuffner, Patricia. Preschooler’s Busy Book: 365 Creative Games and Activities To Occupy 3-6 Year Olds [Meadowbrook, 1998].

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

Reading List

Spring Board and Picture Books Baby-Age 3

Spring by Geurda Muller [Floris Books, 1994]

God Made Spring: A Really Woolly & Friends Fuzzy, Shiny Flap Book by Beatrix Potter [ThomasNelson, 2008]

Spring by Maria Rius [Barron’s Educational Series, 1998]

Guess How Much I Love You in the Spring by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram [Walker Books, 2009]

Spring: Seasons Board Book by Chris L. Demarest [Red Wagon, 1997]

Pooh’s Favorite Things about Spring by Kathleen W. Zoehfield and Elisa Marrucchi [Disney, 2000]

How do you know it’s Spring? By Linda Masterson [Goldenbooks, 2002]

Hunter Hopes for Spring by Marcus Pfister Herbert [NorthSouth, 1998]

Spring Cleaning by Else Holmelund Minarik and David T. Wenzel [HarperFestival, 2003]

Countdown to Spring! An Animal Counting Book by Janet Schulman and Meilo So [Knopf, 2004]

When Will it Be Spring by Catherine Walters [Dutton Juvenile, 2001]

What’s Hatching? by Mara Conlon and Hala Wittwer [Grosset & Dunlap, 2003]

Spring Early Readers Ages 4-8

Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms by Julia Rawlison and Tiphanie Beeke [Greenwillow, 2009]

Hurray for Spring by Kazuo Iwamura [NorthSouth, 2009]

Let’s Look at Spring by Sarah L. Shchuette [Peeble Plus, 2007]

Busy Spring by Carl Emerson and Cori Doerrfeld [Picture Window, 2009]

Diego’s Springtime Fiesta by Laura Bergenand Brian Oesch [Simon Spotlight Nickelodeon, 2008]

It Grows in Spring: Learn the GR Sound by Autumn Leigh [Rosen Educational, 2002]

Keeker and the Springtime Surprise by Hadley Higgins and Lisa Perrett [Chronicle Books, 2007]

Robins:  Songbirds of Spring by Mia Posada [Carol Rhoda, 2004]

Are you Ready for Spring? by Almaflor Ada and Vivi Escriva [Santillana Publishing Company, 1999]

Splish Splash Spring by Jan Carr and Dorothy Donahue [Holiday House, 2001]

Spring by Joanne Early Macken [Weekly Reader, 2006]

Spring Preschool Worksheets and Printables

There are many worksheets for Spring that you can print out and use for your lesson plans and activities. Worksheets should include coloring pages, handwriting worksheets, and printable craft patterns.

The following websites provide free Spring printables:

First-Preschool: Coloring pages, card, patterns, crafts and worksheets.

A to Z Teacher Stuff: Spring printables, coloring pages, activities and word searches

ABCTeach:  Free Spring worksheets and printables

DLTK’s Crafts for Kids: Spring recipes, worksheets, coloring pages, crafts, games and puzzles

All Kids Network: Free color Spring printable worksheets

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Learning Objectives

• The students will identify the letter D.
• The students make and recognize the D sound.
• The students will learn to trace and write upper and lower case D’s.
• The students will identify objects that begin with the letter D.
• The students will participate in Five Little Ducks finger play.
• The students will make cinnamon donuts.
• The students will listen to books that feature the letter D.

Handwriting and Alphabet Recognition

Introduce the children to the letter D along with simple objects that begin with the letter d. Create a colorful letter D poster board that presents both the upper and lower case D. Include pictures of objects cut from magazines that begin with the letter D. For example: Duck, dice, dog, door, dragon, dinosaur, daisy, dove, drum, dolphin, donkey, doll, dime, dad, and deer.

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

Allow the children to practice tracing the letter D in both upper and lower case using a letter D worksheet. A good example of such a worksheet is available on the First Preschool website. Children can also practice writing and tracing the letter D on blank sheets of paper using pencils, colored pencils, or crayon.

Letter D Group Time
“Five Little Ducks”* Finger Play:  Use finger puppets or simply use fingers.

“Five little ducks went out to play
over the hills and far away
When mother duck said
Quack, quack, quack!
Only four little ducks came back.
Reduce by one until you are down to one left and the last line is
One little duck went out to play
over the hills and far away
When mother duck said
Quack, quack, quack!
Five little ducks came running back”

Letter D Cooking and Snack Activity

Cinnamon Donuts
Ingredients:  Pillsbury biscuits, vegetable oil, 1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons cinnamon
Remove biscuits from the can and create a hole in each one by sticking your finger in the middle. In medium hot cooking oil, deep fry a few donuts at a time for a couple of minutes. Turn each donut when brown. To a paper bag, add cinnamon and sugar. As you take the donuts out of the oil, shake off excess oil and put them in the bag, two at a time. Let the children shake the bag. Remove the donuts and place on paper towels or cooling rack to cool.

Letter D Story Time

• Daisy, My Dad, and the Letter D by Cynthia Fitterer Klingel [Child’s World, 2003]
• D is for Doodle by Deborah Zemke [Blue Apple Books, 2004]
• Duck at the Door by Jackie Urbanovic [HarperCollins, 2007]
• Big Dog and Little Dog by Dave Pilkey [Red Wagon, 1997]
• The Deer in the Little Wood by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Renee Graef [HarperCollins, 1999]
• Jungle Drums by Graeme Base [Harry N Abrams, 2004]

Including these simple activities into the curriculum of child care centers will greatly enhance preschoolers’ language learning. Lesson plans should contain clear learning objectives but also remember to seize spontaneous moments of opportunity to teach.

*Five Little Ducks finger play taken from Cheryl of Cheryl’s Sweethearts ChildCare.

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