Hooray for Hat!

Hello Friends!

Today I am sharing "Hooray for Hat!" written and illustrated by Brian Won, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. In today's story, Elephant wakes up grumpy but a surprise silly gift brings a smile to his face and he quickly spreads his joy to his friends. This story is a good reason to be a little silly today, so get out your silliest hats and have fun!

Before watching the video, it might be fun to put a silly hat on, I did! You should also look at the song sheet below so that you can sing along with your child/children. A scarf or kerchief will be helpful for singing some of our songs today.

Afterwards here are some activities, sure to spread some happiness and few giggles too:

1. Make a silly hat: I had a lot of fun making this silly hat! I used an old hat, pipecleaners, pompoms, googly eyes, popsicle sticks and paper cups. You can use anything you find around the house!

You can make your own silly hat as well, you can fold one out of paper (link here) or check your recycling bin for inspiration, empty kleenex boxes make great hats, especially for small heads!

2. Go on a Parade: Put your silly hat on, get dressed up and go for a walk, you might feel silly but I guarantee you will make someone smile today! (If you feel like sharing a picture of your parade with us, we would LOVE to see it!)

3. Send a card: Make a card for someone

4. Hooray for Hat! Activity Sheets: created by author and illustrator Brian Won. Includes colouring sheets, dot to dots, printable hats you can make at home and more! (link here).

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Have Fun!

When Spring Comes

Hello Friends!

Today I am sharing "When Spring Comes" by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek and published by Harper Collins. Before watching the video, have a look at the song sheet below so that you can sing along with your child/children and if you have a scarf or kerchief you will be set for "popcorn kernels" and a new song "butterflies, butterflies".

I'm so glad that spring is here! I truly love all the seasons, but spring brings so much growth and colour after the dull end of winter, that I welcome this new season a lot. And best of all, it is so much easier to get outside and move around when you don't have to put so many layers on.

This week I am sharing one of my favourite sensory box ideas for you to try at home. It can be a bit messy, but it is perfect for this time of year. This sensory box changes daily and brings spring inside on those rainy spring days when we all need a new activity! On sunny days it can go outside which means less clean up. Because it changes everyday it provides lots of opportunity for learning, discussion and motor skill development.

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Spring Sensory Box:

Materials Required:

*Any large waterproof container will work, but an old clear storage bin works the best.

*Old blanket, sheet, shower curtain, just something that can get dirty and will make cleanup easier.

*Soil

*Gardening Tools: Old spoons, or forks, small gardening tools, popsicle sticks, just something that your child/children can use move the soil around

*Small cars, trucks, animals, anything your child might like to play with in the dirt.

*Seeds, you can use one type of seed or a mixture some suggestions include: flowers, grass, sprouts or vegetables. Flowers and vegetables can be planted outside when the weather is warmer. If you plant just grass seeds, grass is pretty robust your child/children can play with their toys in it, then once it gets long enough they can it trim with scissors.

*Spray bottle with water

Note: As with all sensory bin activities, your child/children should never be left unattended when playing with the sensory bin, there are items that could be dangerous to your child/children if left unattended.

Directions:

Day 1: Spread the blanket on the floor, and place your container in the middle. With your child/children scoop the soil into the bin. Encourage your child to play with the dirt, let them explore what the dirt feels like. Talk about the soil with them - it's colour, feel, is it wet. Use the gardening tools and talk about them with your child too. When they are done, or you are ready to move on, pick-up the container and put it out of reach, fold up the blanket and shake outside for easy clean up and wash your child(ren)'s hands.

Day 2: Spread the blanket on the floor again and put the container of dirt in the middle, get out some toys that your child can play with in the soil. Encourage your child(ren)'s play, remember to talk with them about what they see and feel.

Day 3: With the bin of soil today, talk about how seeds grow into plants and plants need soil and water and sunlight to grow. Look at your seeds with your child(ren) and talk about their shape, size and colour. Let your child plant the seeds, don't worry how they plant them, with lots of water and sunlight they will grow! When you are finished, place the container in a warm sunny spot out of reach of small hands.

Day 4 and on: Water your plants each day, a spray bottle with a bit of water allows your child(ren) to water the seeds everyday without over watering them. Check your container to see what is happening. If you used a variety of seeds they will likely sprout at different times, look for roots and sprouts. Remember to talk about what you see with your child(ren) and ask them what they see. You can pull the seeds out and see what is happening, they may not grow, but it give your child a chance to see up close what is happening.

Have Fun!

A Good Day for Ducks!

Hello Friends!

So excited to join you for another online Toddler Tales! Today is all about ducks, we are going to read "A Good Day For Ducks" by Jane Whittingham, illustrated by Noel Tuazon, published by Pajama Press. I also shared a new song about ducks eating in a pond with their tails in the air. Isn't it funny when ducks do that?

Before watching the video, you might want to get a scarf or kerchief for "popcorn kernels" and I have included a song sheet with words for all our songs so that you can sing along or enjoy after!

Afterwards, you might want to go for a walk in your neighbourhood and see if you can find some ducks, maybe they will be eating with their tails in the air and you can sing the new song! When you get home you might want to draw some pictures of ducks just like they do in the story.

Please share your duck fun with us, by email or on social media, we would love to see what you have been up to!