Make sure everyone has had breakfast and a little play time before beginning the lessons!
Begin the day by having "circle time".
You can call it whatever you like, but the basic idea is to bring everyone together and discuss what you will be doing during the day. Young children really benefit from having an idea of what they are going to be doing, they really don't respond well to surprises!
I have a Circle Time Planner HERE.
Timing
Split up the day by planning 20-30 minute segments. Children between 18 months and 5 years can't really focus on a given task for longer than that. Your lesson may actually run a bit shorter at times and even a bit longer, if the lesson is really grabbing their attention. The most important thing with children this age is to BE FLEXIBLE!
Transitions
Another important tool for a smooth day is to make transitions really easy and clear. Transitioning between lessons and free play or from lunch to nap time need to be clearly defined for children. It is important to be consistent. Have a specific song or gesture, such a clapping 5 times, that indicates to the children that it is time to move from the current activity to another.
Example of a Basic Day using the Weather and Seasons theme: Weather & Seasons Lesson
8:00 Circle Time (Talk about one of the 4 seasons and what the weather should be like. Include the holidays of that season. Also use the weather chart. Ask the children where the arrow should point and talk about why.)
8:20 Flow the 1st lesson of the day from the circle time discussion. (If you talked about Spring, it rains in Spring to help the flowers and plants grow. Do the Rain Cloud in a Jar Science activity.)
8:40 Transition to free play (cloud dough - it is really fun and is called "cloud" dough. since you just discussed clouds and rain, this flows well!)
9:15 Math Lesson (raindrop counting and sequencing. again, flows well with the rain and cloud theme)
9:40 Music (Rain, Rain, Go Away!)
10:00 Transition to free play (allow free toys time or centers)
10:30 LUNCH
11:00 Bible or Story time
11:30 Nap
2:30 Snack
3:00 Outside time (or free play ideas if bad weather)
4:00 Free play toys time before parent pick up
Example of a basic day: Using the Nutrition and Health theme: Nutrition & Health Lesson
8:00 Circle Time (Germs Poem and Calendar Discussion)
8:20 Flow the 1st lesson of the day from circle time discussion
(How coughs and sneezes spread germs)
8:40 Transition to free play
(shaving cream play - great because it smells really clean!)
9:15 Handwashing lesson - works great just after the shaving cream
9:40 Music
(Head, shoulders, knees and toes)
10:00 Transition to free play
(allow free toys time or centers)
10:30 LUNCH
(another great opportunity to bring up handwashing!)
11:00 Story or Bible Time
11:30 Nap
2:30 Snack (can also incorporate a "cooking" activity)
3:00 Outside play or use a free play idea (free play ideas) if bad weather
4:00 Free toys play before parent pick up
This is just a couple of basic ways the day could go. Of course, if you are using this with your own child there won't be a pick up time and your child may have a longer or shorter nap time. But the basic idea of how to keep the children engaged and from getting bored or antsy is here.
Timing
Split up the day by planning 20-30 minute segments. Children between 18 months and 5 years can't really focus on a given task for longer than that. Your lesson may actually run a bit shorter at times and even a bit longer, if the lesson is really grabbing their attention. The most important thing with children this age is to BE FLEXIBLE!
Transitions
Another important tool for a smooth day is to make transitions really easy and clear. Transitioning between lessons and free play or from lunch to nap time need to be clearly defined for children. It is important to be consistent. Have a specific song or gesture, such a clapping 5 times, that indicates to the children that it is time to move from the current activity to another.
Example of a Basic Day using the Weather and Seasons theme: Weather & Seasons Lesson
8:00 Circle Time (Talk about one of the 4 seasons and what the weather should be like. Include the holidays of that season. Also use the weather chart. Ask the children where the arrow should point and talk about why.)
8:20 Flow the 1st lesson of the day from the circle time discussion. (If you talked about Spring, it rains in Spring to help the flowers and plants grow. Do the Rain Cloud in a Jar Science activity.)
8:40 Transition to free play (cloud dough - it is really fun and is called "cloud" dough. since you just discussed clouds and rain, this flows well!)
9:15 Math Lesson (raindrop counting and sequencing. again, flows well with the rain and cloud theme)
9:40 Music (Rain, Rain, Go Away!)
10:00 Transition to free play (allow free toys time or centers)
10:30 LUNCH
11:00 Bible or Story time
11:30 Nap
2:30 Snack
3:00 Outside time (or free play ideas if bad weather)
4:00 Free play toys time before parent pick up
Example of a basic day: Using the Nutrition and Health theme: Nutrition & Health Lesson
8:00 Circle Time (Germs Poem and Calendar Discussion)
8:20 Flow the 1st lesson of the day from circle time discussion
(How coughs and sneezes spread germs)
8:40 Transition to free play
(shaving cream play - great because it smells really clean!)
9:15 Handwashing lesson - works great just after the shaving cream
9:40 Music
(Head, shoulders, knees and toes)
10:00 Transition to free play
(allow free toys time or centers)
10:30 LUNCH
(another great opportunity to bring up handwashing!)
11:00 Story or Bible Time
11:30 Nap
2:30 Snack (can also incorporate a "cooking" activity)
3:00 Outside play or use a free play idea (free play ideas) if bad weather
4:00 Free toys play before parent pick up
This is just a couple of basic ways the day could go. Of course, if you are using this with your own child there won't be a pick up time and your child may have a longer or shorter nap time. But the basic idea of how to keep the children engaged and from getting bored or antsy is here.
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