Spring is the time when the world washes away winter cold and begins the cycle of new life again and preschoolers are often highly aware of these changes. With guidance the spring season can be a great time of learning for toddlers and young children in many academic areas as they develop new skills.
Spring Math Idea for Toddlers
Teaching math to toddlers is an easy part of day-to-day living and using spring themed ideas is simple. Kids enjoy the counting rhyme “Ten Little Caterpillars”:
- “Ten little caterpillars climbing on a vine;
- One climbed to high – then there were nine.
- Nine little caterpillars crawled out the garden gate;
- One got stuck – and then there were eight.
- Eight little caterpillars resting on a stone;
- One slipped off – now seven are alone.
- Seven little caterpillars inched across some sticks;
- One couldn't inch so then there were six.
- Six little caterpillars eating leaves alive;
- One wiggled off the plant – then there were five.
- Five little caterpillars crawling on the lane;
- A foot went “stomp” and scared one away.
- Four little caterpillars climbing up the tree;
- One tumbled down – then there were three.
- Three little caterpillars wondering what to do;
- Along came a bird – then there were two.
- Two little caterpillars resting in the sun;
- One curled up in a leaf – then there was only one.
- One little caterpillars resting all alone;
- One day became a butterfly – now she has flown!”
Spring Music Idea for Toddlers
With spring comes rainy weather which is a perfect time to teach preschoolers the familiar “Rain, Rain Go Away” nursery rhyme song. The tune of the song is easy for young children and toddlers to learn.
Spring Science Idea for Preschoolers
Spring means new life and flowers beginning to bloom so seeds and garden activities are excellent ways of introducing science to toddlers. Let preschool children plant quick growing grass seeds in emptied egg-shell halves and when the grass sprouts draw faces on the egg shells to create happy faces.
Spring Art Lesson for Toddlers
Windy spring weather lends itself to teaching kids basic weather ideas and kites are a great way to demonstrate wind power. Pre-K kids will enjoy decorating their own paper kites and a fun afternoon playtime can be spent running about the yard letting the toddlers try to fly their kites.
Another fun preschool art project is creating a spring bird mobile. Let each toddler color a spring song bird and hang them from the ceiling or hanger to create a colorful mobile.
Try having the toddlers create personalized gifts for Valentine's Day for a fun art project.
Spring Food Idea for Preschoolers
Serve fresh broccoli or cauliflower chunks explaining to the kids they are actually flowers that grow in cool spring weather. Melt cheese and let kids dip the broccoli chunks on toothpicks into the cheese to eat.
Outdoor Spring Activities for Toddlers
Take the young children on a spring bug safari and see how many different kinds of bugs the kids can find. Teach the preschoolers to be careful with the bugs and release them afterwards.
Spring Themed Indoor Games
Sometimes rainy spring weather keeps active young kids indoors so it's helpful to have a backup plan. Continue on the windy weather theme by using a ping-pong ball. Place one preschooler on each side of the table and let the kids blow the ping-pong ball across the table to each other without letting it fall.
See more tips for Teaching Toddlers the Four Seasons.
Angela England - Angela England is a problogger, mother of four (yes I know what causes that), speaker, teacher, labor doula, gardener and so much more.
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