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75

Activities

The Basics for Caring for Children In Your Home

Hopping,Jumping,

Creeping

Here is a fun movement activityfor children to do indoors oroutdoors. Not only will it get the

children moving, but they can usetheir imaginations to pretend to bedierent animals, insects, or birds.They can also use their

observation skills to show you howthey think those things move.

Decide on the area of your room oryard for the activity. Make sure thereis space for the

children to move freely, but setsome boundaries for where theymay do the activity. This could be anarea dened by a rug, taped lines, or

a circle on the oor inside. Outdoorsyou can use a natural barrier such asa tree or bush, string, or even jump

ropes to mark the area where youwant the children to play.

Have the children form a line,allowing enough space between

children so they may move freelywithout touching each other. Givethem a direction of an animal, bird,or insect to imitate. Allow time for

lots of movement!

Here are some suggestions

to use:

Hop like a bunny

Jump like a frog

Creep like a spider

Fly like a buttery

Gallop like a horse

Wiggle like a worm

Encourage the children to think of

things they would like to imitate anduse their suggestions.

Heres a fun nger play to teach the

children after you do the movementactivity.

Animals

Can you hop like a rabbit?

(Do motions to match words)

Can you jump like a frog?

Can you walk like a duck?

Can you run like a dog?

Can you y like a bird?

Can you swim like a sh?

Can you sit really still?

(Sit down with hands in lap)

Watch me, like this!

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Visit Penn State Extension on the web: extension.psu.edu

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Copyright 2011 The Pennsylvania State University

This publication is available in alternative media on request.

Claudia C. Mincemoyer, Ph.D., Better Kid Care Program Director 341 NorthScience Park Road Suite 208, State College, PA 16803 Phone: 1-800-452-9108 Web site: www.betterkidcare.psu.edu

Supported by funds from the Oce of Child Development and Early Learning, joint oce of the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Public Welfare.

Developed by Nancy Wilson, Penn State Better Kid Care Program

Copy CatWhat you need:

Drawing paper

Crayons, pencils, or markers

What to do:

Draw some simple shapes on a piece ofpaper. Give the children a piece of paperand have them draw what you drew.

To expand this activity, draw just one ofsomething. Then ask the children to dra

three or ve or two or whatever numberappropriate for them to do. This will helexpand math and memory skills.

Peek-a-Boo and OtherImportant Play for BabiesSimple baby gamesthat many of usgrew up with are

great ways tostimulate and teachinfants. Babies

need to see, hear,and touch things tolearn as they grow. Lots of repetition is good!Here are some ideas for fun play with babies:

Play peek-a-boo. Use a small blanket or clothor even just your hands to play this game thatbabies love.

Play patty-cake. For those who need a reminderof the words: Patty cake, patty cake, bakersman. Bake me a cake as fast as you can. Roll itand pat it and mark it with B and put it in the

oven for baby and me.

Sings songs to the baby. Rocking chairs aregood places to sit and hold a baby while you are

singing. This activity is soothing for the baby. Italso teaches language and rhythms.

Oer the baby a plastic container full of blocksor small plastic toys for dumping and lling back

up again. (Toys need to be large enough so theyare not a choking hazard.) Babies will do thisover and over again.

For babies learning to crawl, place a rattle, toy,or stued animal just beyond the babys reach.The baby will be tempted to move to reach it.

Counting Finger PlayFive Little Fishes

Five little shes were swimming near the shore.

(Hold up ve ngers)

One took a dive and then there were four.

(Hold up four ngers)

Four little shes were swimming out to sea. One went forfood and then there were three.

(Hold up three ngers)

Three little shes said, Now what shall we do? Oneswam away and then there were two.(Hold up two

ngers)

Two little shes were having great fun, But one took aplunge and then there was one.(Hold up one nger)

One little sh said, I like the warm sun. Away he went

and then there were none!

(Put hand behind your back)