Good morning! Here are three invitations for middlers today from Caitlyn and Sarah.
Outdoor/Nature/Finw Motor Invitation: Leaf people.
Gather various leaves from your yard. Use the leaves to create people. This is a chance to talk about what the body looks like.
“How many arms/legs do you have?”
“How many feet?”
“What does your face look like?”
ECT..
Intent: This invitation is an opportunity to talk about bodies and use materials in a creative way.
Sensory Invitation: Making (Salt Dough) Dinosaur Fossils
Part 1: Make your salt dough. Combine 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, and ½ cup warm water. Have your child help mix the ingredients (this is an activity we did with them when we were in the middler room!) Make sure you get all of the lumps out! Make a small ball of the mixed dough, then press it flat with the palm of your hand.
Part 2: Make your fossils! Using small dinosaur toys/skeleton toys, gently press them into the dough. Gently lift the toy to reveal a fossil impression! You can use the side of the dinosaur or make footprints with the toy’s feet.
**Extension: add other objects to make prints in the dough… other animal toys, small leaves or sticks. Let your kids get creative!**
Part 3: Cooking your “fossils”! Preheat your oven at 250 degrees. Line your fossils up on a baking sheet and bake for 1-2 hours. Remove from the oven once they are hard.
Optional Part 4: Paint your finished fossils!
Intent: This sensory activity allows for middlers to create from start to finish. This activity uses multiple steps. The stirring of ingredients help strengthen fine motor skills. Let your child be creative by choosing different objects to make into fossils. Discuss with your child what a fossil is!
Music and Movement Invitation:
Five Big Dinosaurs
Five big dinosaurs gave a huge roar.
One went exploring, and then there were four.
Four big dinosaurs walked by a tree.
One stayed to eat leaves, and then there were three.
Three big dinosaurs heard a loud “Boo!”
One ran away, and then there were two.
Two big dinosaurs sat in the sun.
One fell asleep and then there was one.
One big dinosaur wanted some fun.
It went for a swim, and then there were none!
Dinosaur, Dinosaur
Follow along chanting the song while doing the movements it says!
Dinosaur, Dinosaur,
Turn around.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur,
Stomp the ground.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur,
Show your claws.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur,
Snap your jaws.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur,
Turn around.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur,
Sit back down!
Intent: This activity encourages big body movements and imagination.
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