“Egg”selent Learning: Easter Fun

So, I have been lazy this year with my little angel and she has been into everything and anything.  My first thought was it is time to “nip it in the bud.”  Then I realized quickly it was me who needed to be “nipped in the bud.”  This little curious brain was craving some serious learning, and I was neglecting the questions and desire to learn.  So, up at the big kids table we go and off on a learning adventure.

This week I would like to share with you some thematic learning and how to create simple hands on activities to keep the little one busy for hours.  Our theme:  Easter.

So, it starts with a thematic lesson plan.  I am no early child hood expert, so I googled and compiled a list of activities.  You can incorporate them as you want and take the elements that are important.  Please over look the typos (it is full of them!)  Spring UNIT

Next, up to create some of the activities we have to make my life easier.  Start off with 48-56 Easter Eggs .  Your might need more depending on your child’s learning abilities.

Literacy Activities:

  • Alphabet Match:  Put the upper and lower case letters in Easter eggs.  I used the letters my daughter knew and wrote them on cut up index cards.  Then hide the eggs and have your child find them all.  They can check to see if all eggs are found by matching the capital to the lower case letter.
  • 20130306_205822Word Families:    Write the family name on the big part of the egg and initial sounds on the little parts of the eggs.  I did one initial sound per egg and just put the ending sound on several eggs.  (family name examples: “-et”, “-en”, “-am”)
  • Put the word egg on the wall.  We have a word wall.  I will try to get pictures of it, but our little girl loves to read her words daily.

Mathematical Reasoning:

  • Pattern Eggs:   Put eggs in an egg carton using a certain pattern, lay out plastic eggs in a pattern, or even color Easter egg pictures in pattern.  Have your child explain the pattern and continue the pattern.   For advanced preschoolers, give the pattern a name.  (ABAB, ABCABC, AABB)
  • 20130306_211925Match the Number:  You can have your child match the number word to the numeral, the quantity to the numeral or all three.  What I did was in the bottom of a dozen and half egg carton, I wrote the numerals 1-18.  Then on small pieces of index cards, I wrote the word out and then used dots to show the value.  This way my little one is exposed to all three.  She has to put the eggs in the right home, matching the numeral to the value or name.
  • Counting (Early addition and subtraction):    Hide a certain amount of eggs and have your child find that number of eggs.  Let them count the eggs they found and try to decide how many more they need.

We also do sensory play atleast 3 days a week using a sensory bin.  As the unit goes on, we add to it.  This week they had fun just playing in homemade dirt.

Homemade Dirt Recipe:  20130306_105708

  • Dried used coffee grounds
  • Table Sale
  • Sea Salt or Epsom Salt
  • Rice (Dyed green to look like grass)

Mix it all up, dump it in a bucket add some tractors or other fun items, and let the play begin.  Our lovely little girl likes to use her magnifying glass to look at the mixture better.