During the first two weeks of September, Reading Rainbow has scheduled episodes to help families, teachers and caregivers guide children through the unsettling emotions and feelings that will resurface as the country remembers last falls tragedy.
Watch
Reading Rainbow, My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States
Monday, Sept. 2 at 10 am
LeVar Burton celebrates the geographical beauty of America with wonderful poems that conjure up images of spectacular geographical regions in the United States.
Reading Rainbow, The Tin Forest
Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 10 am
Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 10 am
This story follows the inspired dreams of a sad and lonely old man, who gradually and creatively transforms his surroundings from gloomy and lonely to lush and full.
Reading Rainbow, Max
Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 10 am
Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 10 am
This is the story of the young son of an extended superhero family. Despite his familys coaching and encouragement, Max is a late bloomer when it comes to flying; however, his flying abilities flourish and his superhero status is achieved when he saves a falling baby bird.
Reading Rainbow, Enemy Pie
Thursday, Sept. 5 at 10 am
Monday, Sept. 9 at 10 am
A boy is delighted by his dads solution to getting rid of his enemy by making an enemy pie. The ingredients, however, include spending an entire day with his nemesis ... which turns his only enemy into a best friend.
Reading Rainbow, Our Big Home: An Earth Poem
Friday, Sept. 6 at 10 am
Friday, Sept. 13 at 10 am
This poem describes how all living creatures on Earth share the same water, air, soil, sky, sun and more.
Reading Rainbow, Badgers Parting Gifts
Thursday, Sept. 12 at 10 am
This is a remembrance show dedicated to keeping loved ones that have passed a part of our lives and our memories. Badgers friends are overwhelmed when they lose him, but in time they recall memories of him and feel better.
Do
Reading Rainbow has partnered with the Families & Work Institutes 9/11 As History web site. Youll find lesson plans for Pre-K to 2nd-grade students by visiting http://www.familiesandwork.org.
Read
The Tin Forest by Helen Ward
Max by Bob Graham
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
Our Big Home: An Earth Poem by Linda Glaser
My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States Poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins
Badgers Parting Gifts by Susan Varley
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Vacations
Your children may experience many new things this summer. Airplane rides, camping and even long car trips may be in your familys near future. These new experiences can be just as fun as they can be scary. Its always a good idea to prepare children as much as you can for any new experience. You can try talking about things they will see, things they will do and people they will meet. The more they are involved in the vacation or trip, the more they will learn from their new experience. The programs, activities and books featured in this issues The Learning Triangle are meant to help you prepare children for some of the summer travel experiences that they may have.
Watch
Arthur
Arthurs going on his family vacation. The only problem is that its raining on his vacation! Arthur soon learns that there are many fun things to do in the rain.
Caillou
Caillou is traveling on his very first airplane ride! He is going to the beach on a vacation with his family. Join Caillou as he has lots of vacation adventures.
Do
An Airplane Ride
Materials:
- Boxes or chairs
- Tote bags or small suitcases
You can easily pretend that you are going on an airplane ride. Encourage children to play as if they were riding on an airplane. Discuss where they should put their luggage and how they should sit. You can even pretend to serve them drinks and refreshments. Watch how the children pretend play. You may discover some of their fears or misunderstandings about airplane rides.
Visit an Airport
Take time to introduce your child to the activities at an airport when youre not in a hurry to catch a plane. Watch airplanes take off and land, watch the luggage carousel, look for the control tower and talk about the many people who work at the airport.
Car Goody Bag
Prepare a bag of items to keep your child busy in the car. You might include favorite audio cassettes, paper, crayons, books to read and packaged snacks. Include items that are not used on a daily basis so that they are considered special.
Read
Airplane Ride by Douglas Florian
Barneys Book of Airplanes by Mary Ann Dudko
Boat Book by Gail Gibbons
Boats by Ken Robbins
Cars by Angela Royston
Fill It Up! All About Service Stations by Gail Gibbons
Flying by Donald Crews
Freight Train by Donald Crews
Harbor by Donald Crews
Traffic: A Book of Opposites by Betsy and Giulio Maestro
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Ive Got Rhythm
Music and rhythm are everywhere! Even if you do not consider yourself a musical person, you can share music with young children. Ask yourself the following questions. Are any of them true?
- I enjoy listening to music.
- I think my children would be missing out if I didnt share music with them.
- I know that music is an important part of an early childhood program.
If you answered yes to any of the questions, you have just what it takes to be a super music teacher for young children! On this page, you will find videos, activities and books to get you on your way.
Watch
Visit your local library, where they may have some or all of the following Reading Rainbow videos:
ZIN! ZIN! ZIN! A Violin by Lloyd Moss.
Musical instruments make beautiful music on their own, but together they create a magnificent symphony.
Berlioz the Bear by Jan Brett.
The rhythm and energy of music draws people together.
When Aunt Lena Did the Rhumba by Eileen Kurtis-Kleinman.
There is a great deal of personal satisfaction in performing, whether its drama, comedy, music or dance.
Hip Cat by Jonathan London.
Music is an unpredictable delight that moves its creators and its listeners in such a way that it may never be played or heard exactly the same way twice.
Tys One-Man Band by Mildred Pitts Walter.
Recognizing that music is everywhere enables everyone to create and enjoy it as an important part of life.
Do
Online Music Activities! Start your online musical journey at PBS 45 & 49 Kids for links to your favorite childrens programs Web sites.
Arthur Online Music Activity: Music Box
Listen to your favorite Arthur music. Children can control the many musical choices in the music box. There is also a puzzle related to each song that the children can piece together. (http://pbskids.org/arthur/)
Barney Online Music Activity: Music With Baby Bop
Listen and sing along to your favorite Barney songs. (http://www.pbs.org/barney/)
Between the Lions Online Music Activity: Music Clips
Listen to and watch your favorite music from Between the Lions. These songs are all based on various language/literacy concepts. (http://pbskids.org/lions/)
Caillou Online Music Activity: Magic Keyboard
Children will learn the letters on the keyboard while making beautiful music every time they press a key. (http://www.pbs.org/caillou/)
Mister Rogers Neighborhood Online Music Activity: Song List
Sing and listen to your favorite songs from the show. Children can read along as the lyrics are provided. (http://www.pbs.org/rogers/)
Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat Online Music Activity: Musical Lanterns
Children can match patterns of lights and sounds. (http://pbskids.org/sagwa/)
Sesame Street Online Music Activity: Music Works
Children will find such sections as Musical Places, Sesame Street Opera, Global Groove and Song Bites. Go to www.sesamestreet.com.
Read
In addition to the titles listed under Watch, check out these books:
Bens Trumpet by Rachel Isadora
Max the Music Maker by Miriam Stecher
Music, Music for Everyone by Vera B. Williams
The Philharmonic Gets Dressed by Karla Kuskin
Clap Your Hands by Lorinda Bryan Cauley
Charlie Parker played be bop by Chris Raschka
Noisy Nora by Rosemary Wells
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My Family
What is a family? Who is your family? What makes your family special? Ask three different children and youll get three different answers. Ask three different adults and youll get three different answers. There are so many different family styles that no one family style is the family style. This Learning Triangle is focused around family and family pride. These programs, activities and books will give you some beginning ideas as you explore your own special family with your children. Who knows? Maybe the following ideas will end up creating your next family heirloom.
Watch
Barney & Friends
A visit from Ashley and Alissas Aunt Rachel inspires the children to have a party in her honor. All of the children share their favorite memories of their own aunts, uncles and cousins.
Caillou
Caillou learns how hard it can be to take care of a little sister. When Mommy leaves for the day, Caillou helps Daddy in his daily routine.
Arthur
Arthur and his family go on their family vacation. Then, Arthur and D.W. spend a week at their Grandfathers farm.
Do
Family Tree With a Twist
Materials: Construction paper, Magazines, Glue, Scissors
- Have construction paper tree trunks and leaves available for the children to cut out.
- Help the children write the names of their family members on the leaves.
- The children can glue the tree trunk and leaves to a large piece of paper.
- It is also nice to allow the children to cut pictures out of a magazine that represent each person on their family tree.
- Have the children glue the picture next to the corresponding leaf.
Family Quilt
Materials: Wallpaper scraps, Large sheet of paper, Glue, Non-toxic paint
- Have the children cut squares from the wallpaper scraps.
- They can glue the squares to the large piece of paper to make their quilt.
- Allow children to add names or pictures to their quilts.
- Display the quilts and talk about family heirlooms.
Adapted from Barneys Watch, Play & Learn, 1998, Lyrick Studios.
Read
The Big Sea by Martin Waddell
On Mothers Lap by Ann Herbert Scott
Daddy Makes the Best Spaghetti by Anna Hines
Abuelas Weave by Omar Castaneda
Mama Zooms by J. Cowen-Fletcher
All Kinds of Families by Norma Simon
The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy
Big Sister, Little Brother by Terry Berger
Families are Different by Nina Pelligrini
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Play It Safe
Our focus for this issue is on various aspects of safety. Even though its often hard to discuss safety issues, we must empower children with knowledge of possible situations, consequences and coping strategies. We should do this on a regular basis and without alarming children. Fire drills, tornado drills, and knowing ones name, address and phone number -- all of these things need to be practiced again and again. Awareness and acknowledgement of these issues is a start, but repetition in practicing them is the key!
Watch
Arthur, Lost!
Arthur falls asleep on a bus and awakens in a strange and scary part of town. Will he ever find his way home?
Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat, Sagwa Rules
The kittens are enjoying themselves playing in the house when Mama reminds them that there are certain things they just cannot do. Sheegwa breaks a rule and ends up hurting herself. They all realize that some rules make sense after all.
Do
Caution
Materials: Paper, Markers, Tape
- Ask the children if they can think of objects that can be dangerous at times (for instance, doors, steps, stove, swing set).
- Make several small caution signs.
- Tape signs on things that might be dangerous. First allow the children to choose objects that they think are dangerous and then follow with your own.
Keeping Safe
Talk to the children about ways they can keep themselves safe. List some of the rules you have about safety. Your list might start out with things like:
- Walking rather than running
- Not climbing or jumping on furniture
- Staying on sidewalks when walking outdoors
See if the children have any new rules that they would like to add to your list. It may be easier for them to accept rules when they understand the reasons for them.
Read
I Read Signs by Tana Hoban
Red Light, Green Light by Margaret Wise Brown
Barney Says, Play Safely by Mary Ann Dudko & Margie Larsen
Fire Engines by Anne Rockwell
Stop, Drop & Roll by Lyn Hester
Hang On, Hopper! by Marcus Pfister
Arthurs Fire Drill by Marc Brown
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Getting to Know Myself
Children need plenty of opportunities to discover their likes and dislikes. This issue's Learning Triangle focuses on a child's self-expression and identity. The following program episodes and activities will help you to help children discover just how special and unique they really are.
Watch
Clifford The Big Red Dog, "The Great Race"
T-Bone finds himself in a contest with Mac. He doesn't win, but he does his very best. T-Bone learns that you don't have to win to feel good you just have to do your very best.
Dragon Tales, "Lucky Stone"
Ord loses his lucky stone and doesn't know what he'll do. He is supposed to perform flying tricks and doesn't think he can do it without his lucky stone. Ord soon learns that he doesn't need the stone, all he needs is to believe in himself.
Do
Different and the Same Fans
Materials: Strips of colored construction paper, Hole punch, Brass fasteners (one per student), List of questions
- Prepare a list of at least 10 questions to ask the class. Here are some examples: Who speaks a different language at home? Who is learning how to play an instrument? Who likes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Who has a dog? Who likes to go fishing? Who is a good friend?
- Have each colored strip of construction paper represent each question. You may need several strips of the same color.
- Ask the first question. If the child answers yes to the question, give him/her a colored strip of paper.
- Continue asking the questions and have the children collect their colored strips.
- After all of the questions have been answered, have each child stack his/her strips. Punch a hole in one end and fasten the stack together with a brass fastener. Spread the strips out to make a fan.
- Discuss how many students have the same colors in their fans. The fans show how sometimes we are different and sometimes we are the same. They show that we are all special in our own way.
The "I Like" Game
Materials: One ball for rolling
- Have the children sit in a circle.
- Roll the ball to a child. That child should hold the ball and say, "I like " and name something such as a food item, an activity, an animal, etc.
- The child then rolls the ball to another child who does the same.
- Continue until every child has had a chance to share his/her "likes."
- You can try variations of this game. Try asking the children to name something they are good at.
Read
Verdi by Janell Cannon
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
I Like Me by Nancy Carlson
Am I Beautiful? by Else Holmelund Minark
Wonderful Nature, Wonderful You by Karin Freland
The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown
I Can by Helen Oxenbury
The Fish Who Could Wish by John Bush
Regina's Big Mistake by Marissa Moss
Playing Right Field by Willy Welch
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Music and Movement
Music truly supports "whole child" development. The "whole child" includes the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of children.
Physical: Music encourages all kinds of physical movement, both fine motor (small muscle) and gross motor (large muscle) movements.
Intellectual: A song's repetition and lyrics aid a child's language development.
Emotional: Music can bring forth many emotions in all of us. Children can have loads of fun doing activities around how music makes them feel. They may even discover some new words and new emotions.
Social: Music and dance are ways in which children can easily feel part of a group. Providing opportunities for dramatic play will guide children into group activities such as pretend orchestras and bands.
Watch
Reading Rainbow, When Aunt Lena Did the Rhumba
A little girl hatches a plan to bring Broadway to her matinee-loving aunt who's in bed recovering from a rhumba-related spill. Watch and learn about the joys of performing from members of The Boys Choir of Harlem, comic Peter Petofsky and actors from the Broadway hit, Cats.
Reading Rainbow, Hip Cat
This is the story of a cat who creates a sound all his own and then experiences how rhythm enchants his audience. Watch and experience examples of improvisation in music, art, literature and dance. You'll also meet Joshua Redman, a jazz saxophonist who talks about how music has influenced his life.
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Mister Rogers shows children how to make different sounds using bottles filled with water. At Betty's Little Theatre, folk musicians play drums and fife.
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Jazz violinist John Blake and his son play music in Negri's Music Shop.
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Mister Rogers presents the opera, "A Granddad for Daniel." Metropolitan Opera baritone John Reardon plays Grandfather and Daniel Tiger plays the grandson.
Do
Musical Jars
Materials: Five or six glass jars, Pitcher of water, Spoons or pencils
- Have the children pour water into the jars, pouring different amounts in each jar.
- Ask the children to tap the jars with a pencil or spoon. What happens?
- Let the children take turns tapping the jars to make different sounds.
- Ask the children about the different sounds they hear.
- Encourage the children to match the sounds they hear with their voices or to make up a song.
Painting to Music
Materials: Paper, Non-toxic paint, Items for painting (paintbrushes, noodles, fingers, sponges, feathers, etc.), Music tapes
- Encourage the children to listen to the music and think about how it makes them feel.
- Have them paint to the music and the feeling it gives them.
- Remind them that everyone's painting will be different because each person will have different feelings about the music.
- Play various types of music to create different paintings.
Read
Ben's Trumpet by Rachel Isadora
Max the Music Maker by Miriam Stecher
Music, Music for Everyone by Vera B. Williams
The Philharmonic Gets Dressed by Karla Kuskin
Clap Your Hands by Lorinda Bryan Cauley
Charlie Parker played be bop by Chris Raschka
Noisy Nora by Rosemary Wells
Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss
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Active Viewing
With all of the PBS 45 & 49 community outreach going on in the next couple of months, we want to reinforce the basic concept of this activity page, The Learning Triangle. Television can be such a wonderful learning tool! When you Watch, Do & Read, you are making television a very active learning experience. The following activities promote healthy, media-literate children. Activities like these help young children see that the media are just storytellers, that television programs are stories made by people, and that it's a good thing to think about what we see on television.
Watch
Reading Rainbow, The Bionic Bunny Show
Wilbur is an ordinary rabbit, but when he goes to work each morning he becomes TV's superhero. Viewers also go behind the scenes of Star Trek: The Next Generation to see how television shows are made.
The Bookworm Bunch, Seven Little Monsters
When Four decides to be a movie director, he orders the rest of the monsters to make a video with him. But, after trying unsuccessfully to bully them into action, he learns that simply being nice gets more results.
Do
Understanding Background Music
Materials: Musical instruments, Television set, A video of a program with background music
- Talk to the children about background music. Discuss how the music helps you know what is happening on the program.
- Play a part of the video that has music with it. Ask the children how the music made them feel. Was it soft music? Loud music? Did it make them happy or sad?
- Give each child a musical instrument.
- Play a part of the video, but be sure to turn off the sound.
- Allow the children to watch the scene and make music for whatever is happening on the screen.
Making a Television Program
Materials: Large cardboard box, Markers, Paint and paintbrushes (optional), Puppets, dolls and other toys for props
- Create a television program with the children. Explain that everything they see on television is something that has been made by a person. Discuss that what they see on television is a story made up by someone else.
- Cut one side out of a large cardboard box. (The children will enter the box from this side.)
- Cut a hole the size of a television screen, out of the opposite side.
- The children might enjoy painting and decorating the television.
- When the paint is dry, they can add knobs and dials with a marker.
- Using the puppets and toys, the children can take turns putting on television programs.
Read
Books for the Children:
Take a Look, It's in a Book by Ronnie Krauss
The Bionic Bunny Show by Marc Brown
When the TV Broke by Harriet Ziefert
Arthur's TV Trouble by Marc Brown
Box-Head Boy by Christine M. Winn
Television: What's Behind What You See by W. Carter Merbreier & Linda Capus Riley
Books for the caregiver:
The Smart Parent's Guide to Kids' TV by Milton Chen, Ph.D.
Media Alert: 200 Activities to Create Media-Savvy Kids (Pre-K to 12th grade) by Sue Lockwood Summers
Screen Smarts: A Family Guide to Media Literacy by Gloria DeGaetano and Kathleen Bander
"Mommy, I'm Scared": How TV and Movies Frighten Children and What We Can Do to Protect Them by Joanne Cantor
The activities for this theme are from the following books:
Mister Rogers' Plan & Play Book , 1998, Family Communications, Inc.
Exploring Your Child's World With Theodore Tugboat, 1998, Cochran Entertainment
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Winter Fun
Winter is just around the corner, so it's time to plan all of those chilly activities. What activity could be more chilly and fun than snow? It can be a science experiment, a recipe, a sensory experience and an art activity. These activities let children know that it's that time of year again - time for their favorite winter holidays.
Watch
Arthur's Perfect Christmas
Join Arthur and the gang to celebrate wonderful winter celebrations and discover the traditions of Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.
Barney's Night Before Christmas
Barney and friends celebrate Christmas by baking cookies, singing songs and even meeting Santa!
Noddy Holiday Special
What happens when everyone is too busy planning the perfect holiday?
Do
Snow Painting
Materials: Spray bottles, Food coloring, Water
Fill the spray bottles with colored water and let the children paint the snow outside.
Snow Jump
Materials: Friends, Tape measure
Host your own Winter Olympic events. Children can easily see how far they jump when they land in the snow. This can be turned into a great math activity.
Snowy Partners
Materials: Friends, Sticks
Have the children find a partner. Allow each partner to make an outline of the other partner in the snow. You can talk about shapes, sizes and pairs. You can ask, "What winter items come in pairs?"
"The Snowman" Poem
Roll the snow into three balls.
Make a snowman, oh, so tall.
(Stand on tiptoes and reach up)
Place a hat upon his head.
(Touch head)
Give him buttons that are red
(Move finger down chest)
Use some coal to make his eyes.
(Point to eyes)
You can do it if you try!
(Hands on hips)
Next he needs a carrot nose.
(Touch nose)
Where will he get one of those?
(Turn palms up and tilt head)
Make a mouth and he'll be done.
(Point to mouth)
Making a snowman is so much fun!
(Clap hands)
Read
Snow is Falling by Franklyn M. Branley
Millions of Snowflakes by Mary McKenna Siddals
White Snow Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Geraldine's Big Snow by Holly Keller
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel
The Biggest Snowball Ever! by John Rogan
Footprints in the Snow by Cynthia Benjamin
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Ready to Learn, Ready to Read
What is the best way to help children get ready to learn? Get them ready to read, of course! You can use this issue's Learning Triangle to spark children's creativity about reading and writing. We not only need to help children read stories, we need to tap into their creativity and help them to create stories, too.
Watch
Arthur, "I'm a Poet"
Challenged by Fern to enter a poetry contest, Arthur and his friends each write a poem to be judged by a famous poet. Author and poet Jack Prelutsky makes a "guest appearance."
Clifford The Big Red Dog, "Islander of the Year"
The Library sponsors an essay contest for Islander of the Year, and the children all submit their ideas. But somehow, all their tales include Clifford! Who will win the essay contest?
Between the Lions, "The Old Man"
Writer Babs Caplan visits the library to write the world's scariest story
Do
An Imaginary Land
Materials: A key made out of cardboard
Encourage children to create a story about their own imaginary land. As you give each child a turn to use the key to open an imaginary door, you could ask questions such as these:
What do you see when you open the door?
Who might you meet?
What could happen there?
You may want to have the children draw pictures of their imaginary land. You can then write the story on each picture.
Secret Messages
Materials: Small bars of soap, White paper, Soft lead pencils
With your help, children can write messages to one another by using the small soap like a crayon. Have the children write or draw symbols on the white paper. They can either decipher their own message or have another child find the secret message. To find the secret message, rub the pencil over the soap. It's a fun way to write messages and letters.
Read
Books for children
Look! Look! Look! by Tana Hoban
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles Shaw
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Books for the Caregiver
Mister Rogers' Plan & Play Book by Family Communications, Inc., 1983
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Summer Safety
Summer is the perfect time for having fun, trying new things and going to interesting places. It's also the perfect time to teach children about safety. You can start by using the following Learning Triangle ideas. Remember, children learn through repetition, so when you "Watch, Do & Read" about safety, you are revisiting a concept multiple times and in multiple ways.
Watch
Arthur, "D.W., All Fired Up"
What exactly is a fire drill anyway? When Miss Morgan announces they'll be having one during preschool, D.W. wants no part of it - it sounds way too scary! Can she manage to stay home from school every day until the danger passes?
Arthur, "Attack of the Turbo Tibbles"
After sneaking to watch the "Terrific Turbo-Trooper Toy T-Bot Team" TV show, the Tibbles are out of control! And when the play gets rough, somebody could get hurt!
Theodore Tugboat, "Emily's Close Call"
The Harbor Master is showing off his "treasures" that have been washed up on a shore by the waves, but he warns that not everything one finds is safe to pick up. .
Do
Safety Practice
You'll need: Chalk, Toy cars & trucks
With the chalk, draw a street scene on the driveway. Make sure to draw safety signs that are seen on most roads. The children can use the cars and trucks to pretend they are driving and to practice safety rules.
Red Light, Green Light
You'll need: Homemade street lights
This game is not only great for teaching children safety, it is also great for helping them to gain control over their bodies. Many children will find it hard to stop when you say stop, but over time it will help them gain control. Have the children start out in one long line. When you say, "green light," the children can move forward. When you call out, "red light," everyone freezes and must stay in place until you call out "green light" again. Be sure to hold up the homemade traffic light - some children may need to see a visual cue. Allow each of the children to have a chance at being the caller.
Caution
You'll need: Paper, Markers, Tape
You can make several caution signs for the children to tape on various household or school objects. After talking about safety, take a safety walk around the house or the school and have the children tape signs on everything that they think may be dangerous.
Read
Books for children
I Read Signs by Tana Hoban
Red Light, Green Light by Margaret Wise Brown
Barney Says, 'Play Safely' by Margie Lawson, M. Ed., and Mary Anne Dudko
Hang On, Hopper! by Marcus Pfister
I'm Safe in the Water by Wendy Gordon
I'm Safe on My Bike by Wendy Gordon
Books for the Caregiver
Mister Rogers' Plan & Play Book by Family Communications, Inc., 1983
Barney's Watch, Play & Learn by Lyons Partnership, 1998
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Celebrate Children
In the next couple of months, many communities will host wonderful events that celebrate children and families. March is Child Abuse/Family Awareness Month and April 9-15 is The Week of the Young Child. You, too, can celebrate children by celebrating the whole child. Children need to have positive learning experiences in every area of development; their physical, intellectual, emotional and social development needs to be nurtured and cultivated by those of us who love and care for them.
Watch
Physical: Teletubbies, "Basketball"
The Teletubbies watch a young boy and his father playing basketball. They decide to get physical and do a stamping and stepping dance.
Intellectual: Barney & Friends, "First Things First"
Barney puts together a fun-filled day with the children piece-by-piece - like a puzzle. At the end of the day, their puzzle is complete and along the way they learn about numbers!
Emotional: Arthur, "Night Fright"
Big, brave Binky has a secret he can't sleep without a night light! What will happen when Arthur spends the night?
Social: Theodore Tugboat, "Theodore's Big Friend"
Theodore and Cumberland realize that everyone, big or small, can have similar feelings.
Do
Physical activity: Homemade Beanbags
Fill an old sock with dry beans or rice. Tie a knot in the end or use a rubber band to close the sock. You can help the children develop eye-hand coordination by playing catch. For some more fun, have them walk around while trying to keep the beanbag on their head or toss your beanbags into a target.
Intellectual: Number & Letter Bags
Fill a bag with pieces of paper that have a number and a letter on opposite sides. Ask each child to pull a piece of paper out of the bag. Challenge each child to find the number of objects that start with the letter. Example: One card has the number 3 and the letter B. A child may find a ball, a beanbag and a friend named Brian.
Emotional: Pretend House
Children need a place to feel safe and secure. They may want to create a special place where they can be alone. Using a large box, you can help a child create his/her very own house. The child can decorate the box and fill it with whatever he/she needs to help deal with feelings. The child may go to this place when she is sad, mad, scared, or if he needs quiet time.
Social: Tracing Friends
Two friends can discover their likenesses and differences by tracing each other's bodies. Have one child lie face up on a large sheet of paper while the other child traces around him/her with a crayon or pencil. Then they can change places. Have both the children traced on the same paper. After the children decorate their tracings, have them tell you what is the same and what is different about the tracings. Discuss that even though they have differences, they can be very special friends.
Read
Books for children
My Mom Is a Runner by Mary Gallagher Reimold
Shake My Sillies Out by Raffi
Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews
We Read A to Z by Donald Crews
Feelings by Aliki
Frances Face-Maker: A Going to Bed Book by William Cole
I'm Glad to Be Me by Margaret Wise Brown
Do You Want to Be My Friend? by Eric Carle
Books for the Caregiver
Barney's Watch, Play & Learn, 1998, Lyons Partnership
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Winter Celebrations
Winter celebrations are wonderful times to teach children appreciation of diversity. While celebrating your own traditions, help children discover the special customs that take place in other families. Even though we may not all celebrate the same traditions, we can all celebrate families, friendship, diversity and love.
Watch
The Puzzle Place
The children learn that Christmas, Hanukkah, Las Posadas and Kwanzaa occur around the same time of the year, but they are not the same holiday.
Arthur
Arthur and D.W are determined to find out what happens at midnight on New Year's Eve. The question is, can they stay awake to find out?
Noddy Holiday Special: Anything Can Happen at Christmas
Watch as our Noddy friends discover that the spirit of Christmas can be shared year-round.
Teletubbies in the Snow
The Teletubbies have an international Christmas, discovering how children from South Africa, Finland, Great Britain and Spain celebrate the season.
Do
Las Posadas Treat -- Child Size Pi ata
Materials: Paper cone cups with pointed bottoms, Pipe cleaners, Gold and silver paint, Tissue paper, Glue, Paintbrushes, Candy
Have children insert a pipe cleaner into the pointed end of one cup, and then place their candy into the cup. Have them pull the pipe cleaner through the end of a second cup, and use glue or tape to keep the rims of the cups together. Have children leave the ends of the pipe cleaner hang out of both ends. One end will be used as a hanger. Have the children decorate their pi atas with the paint and/or tissue paper.
Kwanzaa Candlestick - Kinara
Materials: Construction paper (red, green and black), Paper, Glue, Red, yellow or orange tissue paper
Have children cut the construction paper into strips: one black, three red and three green strips. Make the black strip the longest. The red strips need to descend in size on the right and the green on the left of the black strip. Have children draw a seven-branch candlestick on paper, and then glue the strips on as candles. The tissue paper will be glued on as burning flames.
Christmas Tree Decoration -- Light Bulb Ornament
Materials: Burned out light bulbs, Acrylic paint, Paintbrushes, Yarn or wire
Have children paint the light bulbs. They may want to add Christmas symbols. When the paint has dried, wrap some yarn around the end of the light bulb.
Hanukkah Snack -- Edible Dreidel
Materials: Mini marshmallows, Pretzel sticks, Chocolate kisses, Frosting
Use the frosting to attach the flat end of a chocolate kiss to a mini marshmallow. Have children insert a pretzel stick into the other end of the marshmallow. They can spin and eat their edible dreidel!
Read
Books for children
Imani's Gift at Kwanzaa by Denise Burden-Patmon
Elijah's Angel by M. Rosen
Carlos, Light the Farolito by Jean Ciavonne
Light the Lights! by M. Moorman
Hurry, Santa by Julie Sykes
Books for the Caregiver
The Kids' Multicultural Art Book: Art & Craft Experiences From Around the World by Alexandra M. Terzian
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