Thanksgiving Books for Preschoolers

Take time to read a variety of books with the children during your preschool storytime. Books can help children to learn about their world, visit new places, and practice skills needed for future learning.

This article will discuss the different kinds of books you can be reading with your group and suggested titles for Thanksgiving.

Traditional Children's Books

Think about fairy tales, folk tales, fables, myths, and legends from around the world and across the ages of time. Through these beloved stories, children become familiar with many different times, cultures, and traditions. Here are some Thanksgiving favorites.
A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting [Sandpiper]
Cranberry Thanksgiving by Harry Devlin
Thanksgiving at the Tappletons' by Eileen Spinelli [HarperColins]
Over the River and Through the Woods by John Steven Gurney [Cartwheel]
My First Thanksgiving by Tomie dePaola [Putnam]

Concept Books  

These books teach skills, such as counting, colors, and shapes. They may teach about things big and little or opposites like in and out. Many themes are taught in books where children can experience the farm, learn about animals, transportation, food, families, and feelings.
Thanksgiving Day by Gail Gibbons [Holiday House]
The Story of the Pilgrims by Katharine Ross [Random House]
10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston [Cartwheel]

Repetition and Pattern Story Books

Books with a 'catchy' phrase that is repeated become favorites with young children. They will pick-up the pattern and may be able to "read along." This lets them experience the joys of reading.
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson [Puffin]

Rhyming Books

These books often include rhymes and repeated verses, which is why they are easy to remember and recite. These are especially appealing to young children.
'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey [Scholastic]
Turkeys Never Gobble by Joan Holub [HarperFestival]

Books About Different Cultures

These books have characters and situations both similar and different to those in the children's lives so they can learn about the world.
Gracias, the Thanksgiving Turkey by Joy Cowley [Scholastic]
How Many Days to America? A Thanksgiving Story by Eve Bunting [Sandpiper]
Thanksgiving at Obaachan's by Janet Mitsui Brown [Polychrome]
Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas [Thomas Nelson]

Books and stories open the world of learning to children. Enjoy preschool storytime daily with your group and this month concentrate on Thanksgiving with an assortment of holiday titles.

**This article was originally published on Yahoo Voices by Tania Cowling

Clip art

Thanksgiving Songs for Children

Thanksgiving is traditionally celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. It's a time of family gatherings, a time for gratitude, history, and turkey. Thanksgiving day has always been a fun time with songs and activities to enjoy. Give kids the opportunity to sing their gratitude this Thanksgiving, but don't forget about some fun Thanksgiving songs for children with a "gobble and wobble" too.

Songs of Gratitude

Gratitude is the action of giving thanks and to show appreciation for kindness. This song is a parody to the traditional song "If You're Happy and You Know It." Children love to do the actions as they sing this holiday song.

If you're thankful and you know it, clap your hands

If you're thankful and you know it, clap your hands.

If you're thankful and you know it,

Then your face will surely show it.

If you're thankful and you know it, clap your hands.

Other verses:

If you're thankful and you know it, stomp your feet...

If you're thankful and you know it, shout "I am!"...

If you're thankful and you know it, do all three...

Discuss that Thanksgiving is a special time to give thanks, just like the Pilgrims gave thanks for their plentiful harvest and food. This Thanksgiving song for children is sung to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Let's be thankful for this day,

For our friends and our play.

Let's be thankful; let's be glad,

For our food and the things we have.

Let's give thanks for you and me,

And our home and family.

Song of the Pilgrims

The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock on the Mayflower in 1620. The Pilgrims and Native Americans worked together growing crops and harvesting the bounty to celebrate their first Thanksgiving many years ago. Sing this song to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."

The Pilgrims sailed away,

Far across the sea.

They came to America,

So they could be free.

The Native Americans

Helped them plant the corn.

Then they shared a great big feast,

Thanksgiving Day was born!

To all my readers, I wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Until next time,

Tania

 

 **All songs were used in my preschool classes and Mommy and Me sessions. Authors are unknown.

Photo courtesy of Tania Cowling, all rights reserved.

How to Make Homemade Musical Instruments

Children enjoy making musical instruments from collecting the materials to performing in a homemade band. Go 'green' with recycled materials for your projects.

The homemade instruments below fall into the category of idiophones and with a few recycled materials, children can make creative rhythm instruments to experiment with sounds and contribute to a classroom rhythm band. The best part of these homemade instruments is that when playtime is over or the child tires of the project, most materials can go back into the recycle bin for a greener Earth.

 

Coconut Clappers

Those who live in the tropics can pick up a coconut, if not this fruit can be found in markets.

·      An adult needs to cut the coconut in half, drain the milk and take out the meat.

·      Help the children sand the outside of the coconut shell until all surfaces becomes somewhat smooth.

·      Children can paint the coconut shell with poster paint and decorate the outside as they wish.

To play this primal instrument, children need to hold a half in each hand. Tap the cut edges together to create unique, hollow-wood sounds. Challenge the kids to guess which animal makes a sound like a coconut clapper. The correct answer is horse and have the children use these clappers to make sounds like a horse is walking and a faster pace like galloping.

Bongos

Simple bongo drums can be made from empty gallon or half-gallon plastic containers, such as bleach containers.

·      To prepare the containers, cut the tops off and make sure both bottles have been cut to the same size.

·      Tape the cut edges with a heavy duct or vinyl tape to protect the fingers.

·      Have an adult staple two containers together side by side for each child.

·      The kids can decorate the plastic bongos with adhesive stickers and/or permanent colored markers.

To play these drums, turn the containers upside down and children can tap the bottoms with their hands. To be authentic, sit on the floor and place the bongos between the knees.

And more ideas to come...

The ideas above have come from "Shake, Tap and Play a Merry Tune" by Tania K. Cowling (available on Amazon.com and from the author on http://www.taniacowling.com)

Visit often to see more crafts and theme ideas. Why not subscribe to this blog and receive emails when a new post is published?

See you next week,

Tania

If Your Kids Pet Animals - Please Wash Your Hands~~

As the weather starts warming up, we tend to take our children to festivals. Please read this post about petting zoos and your child's health.

http://www.bubblews.com/news/289144-if-you-pet-animals-please-wash-your-hands

Photo courtesy of morguefile.com

Teeth Brushing for Kids: Start Early To Keep a Beautiful Smile

From the time children get their first teeth, it's time to brush, brush, brush for those pretty pearly whites. I've been freelancing with Colgate on articles for parents and children. Take a look at this one~~

Teeth Brushing for Kids: Start Early To Keep a Beautiful Smile

And an article that's full of fun activities related to healthy teeth

Dental Activities for Kids Promote Oral Health Awareness

Keep on smiling!!!!!

Tania

It's a New Year in the Preschool Department

I've started (or actually gone back to) a site where I have developed two channels for preschool educators, parents, homeschooling parents and caregivers. Suite101.com has allowed me to create two preschool channels -- one for everyday themes and activities and the other for holiday projects.

I'm hoping you will find some time to visit these channels, as well as others you may find interesting. You will see articles from me and other educators on these links. Take a peek! I hope you will find interesting activities to share with your children and students.

Preschool Education: Tips, Tools and Resources

Holiday Projects for Preschoolers

If you're looking for crafts, songs, educational activities and more - you have come to the right place!

Until next time,
Tania

Photo courtesy of morguefile.com

December Holiday Fun

Wow, I'm about a week late in posting and Hanukkah is beginning. There is quite a span between this December holiday and Christmas, but I want to give all the teachers, parents, caregivers and homeschooling parents lots of options for holiday activities, crafts, songs and more. So, please check out these links and bring in the holiday spirit with your little ones.

I've just started a new channel on Suite101.com that is chock full of holiday stuff. The front page at the moment has December holiday materials, but check back often as this is the hub for all things holidays for young children. I'd also love if you leave comments and your ideas with each project article. We all learn by sharing. Click on... to visit Holiday Projects for Preschoolers.

Next are individual articles that contain a variety of activities for December holidays:

5 Crafts Made with Christmas Cards: Creative Time with Your Children

Greeting Card Fun for the Kids

Multicultural Christmas: The Ways Other Children Celebrate

Read on...

12

Christmas Ornaments for Kids to Make: Think Nature and Go Green

For more, click here...

Celebrating Kwanzaa with Young Children: Crafts

Projects to Make Together for This African-American Holiday

Holiday Toys for Kids: New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Are Back

This is especially interesting how these toy characters are back on the market, hot, hot, toys...

And last, but not least, I just started a Pinterest page with holiday ideas for Christmas. Check it out and repin if you see something you like. 

Christmas

General Holiday Fun

I want to wish all my readers and followers a very happy holiday season -- and see you all next year. 2013 is just around the corner!

Tania

Thanksgiving Theme Unit for Daycare & Preschool

During the month of November families in the US celebrate the joys of Thanksgiving. Take this Thanksgiving theme across the curriculum to commemorate this holiday.

To coincide with this holiday, focus on curriculum activities that relate to the famous book, Over the River and Through the Wood by Lydia Maria Child [North-South Books, 1998], and the traditional song of the same name.

I'm Thankful Bulletin Board

Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks. In the past, Pilgrims and Native Americans worked together to host the first Thanksgiving. Today, this holiday is celebrated with family, relatives and friends. At circle time, discuss "Things I'm Thankful For." Together, look through magazines and cut pictures of these items. Have the children bring in pictures of their family, including grandparents. Create a cooperative bulletin board or poster.

In the Pumpkin Patch

The Thanksgiving season is a good time to do pumpkin activities. A pumpkin pie, flavorful with spices, is traditional in most American homes. Take a pumpkin and cut off the top. Invite the children to look at the pumpkin talking about its color and shape. Look inside at the strings and seeds. Ask," Does the outside and inside look the same? How does it smell?"

An adult can cut pieces of pumpkin into shapes. The children can take a paintbrush and paint a thin layer of tempera on the shape. Press this down onto paper to make a print. Printing is a fascinating activity for children because they love to keep repeating this process. Clean and roast the pumpkin seeds. Place a few into cups for the children. They can count the seeds and then eat them as a nutritious snack.

Another sensory activity is to paint pumpkin pies. Cut paper into circle shapes and paint them orange. While the paint is still wet, sprinkle an assortment of spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice or ground cloves on the pie. Smell the aroma!

Off to the Grandparent's House

Glue five Popsicle (craft) sticks down on construction paper in the shape of a house. Fill in the details, like windows, doors, chimney, and such with crayons, markers or glued-on fabric.

Continue reading...

This article first appeared on Suite101.com by Tania K. Cowling

Fun Foods for Halloween

Think of Halloween as a creative time to make spook-tacular foods to please goblins and ghouls of any age.

Whether you are hosting a “boo bash” party or just making Halloween treats for the family, these recipes are easy and fun to create.
Halloween Bones and Blood
Ingredients:

• 1 jar Marinara sauce (blood)
• canned breadsticks (bones) (can found in refrigerator section)
• cookie sheet
• Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions:

1. Cut the breadsticks into halves.
2. Curve the ends of each breadstick into bone shapes.
3. Sprinkle the "bones" with Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake as directed on the package.
5. Place these bones onto a dish and serve with a bowl of warm Marinara sauce.

Spider Punch
Ingredients:

• 1 envelope Kool-Aid orange flavor unsweetened mix
• 3 quarts cold water
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 quart bottle ginger ale (chilled)
• black plastic spiders
• ice cube trays
• pitcher
• large spoon (for mixing)

Directions:

1. Place plastic spiders into ice cube tray sections. Add water and freeze.
2. Pour the Kool Aid and sugar in a large pitcher. Add water and mix together.
3. Just before serving the punch add the ginger ale.
4. To make a spooky punch, add spider ice cubes to the pitcher.
5. Remember to tell your guests "don't drink the spiders"!

Continue reading...

Article by Tania Cowling, first published on Suite101.com

Photo courtesy of Tania Cowling

Educational Toys for Preschoolers: 3 Products from MoMA and Chronicle Books

Who are MoMA and Chronicle Books?

Chronicle Books (a major book publisher) and MoMA have designed the concepts for three new educational toys. Together they have developed a line of toys and playthings that inspire children to develop their creativity. MoMA stands for the Museum of Modern Art that is located in Manhattan, New York. The museum has numerous galleries, exhibitions, and educational programs that attract many visitors. MoMA gives the public access to the world’s finest collections of modern and contemporary art, holding a numerous amount of works including paintings, sculpture, drawings, photography, film, media, and design objects. For more information about MoMA visit their website.

String-Along Books

Young children, some as early as toddlers, are beginning to master the skill of stringing and lacing. One of the first activities is bead stringing, where children thread a bead, pulls the lace through and releases the lace so the bead slides down. The child’s finger movements will become more precise and must master a three-step sequence with this activity. Eye/hand coordination is also developed.
String-along Books is a toy by MoMA that contains 10 little books and a lace. This is a multi-functional toy where you read the tiny books together and then string them on a cord. The idea is based on classic wooden stringing beads; these little books introduce colors, shapes, and patterns and will keep your preschooler (or toddler) engaged for a lengthy period of time. Recommended for ages 3 and up.
Photo by Tania Cowling

Lacing Shapes

Another toy in this collection is Lacing Shapes. Here you connect the dots and lace the cards together to make your very own book. The sturdy cards are full of colors, shapes, and patterns. They can be strung together to create a wall hanging or bind them into a book. The set includes 10 different lacing cards and 11 laces. The concept of this toy was developed by Chronicle Books for MoMA and copyrighted in 2010.
Preschool children love to thread the lace in-and-out along the outline and reverse the operation to unthread the lace. Before playing, identify and talk about the pictures on the card. Encourage your child to trace the outline with his index finger and to feel the holes.
To guide lacing practice, begin by tying a knot in one end of the lace and bring it through one of the holes so that the knot is tied on the wrong side of the card. Give your child the lace in whichever hand is his dominant and the card in the other hand. Guide his stringing until he understands that he should lace through the holes in order along the line and that he must come through the holes alternately from the front and back of the card. At first you may need to indicate the next hole, but in time the child will be able to choose the holes alone. When finished, praise the child for his mastery. Next it’s time to teach the reversal to unlace the cards. This toy is recommended for ages 3 and up.

Photo by Tania Cowling

Create Your Own Museum

Nothing is more important to a preschooler than the art he creates. MoMA has a toy Create Your Own Museum which is an art activity kit that encourages young artists to make and display their own modern masterpieces. The kit comes with 20 4-color frame decals, 5 decorate-your-own frame decals, 8 activity sheets, and 3 colorful museum reproduction sheets. The children can display their art for the entire family to see.
These are only three of the many educational toys for preschoolers that are available through Chronicle Books in conjunction with MoMA. Check out other selections and ordering information on their website.
Photo credit: Chronicle Books
A review made by Tania Cowling