Spring Flowers and Circle Time

 

Matching and Sequencing Flowers

Preschool children can learn basic math concepts with these visual felt flowers. In this activity, children will be provided a flower to bring to the felt board. This hands on process works well for circle time management. When the children bring the flower to the board, they can find which color it matches as well as the size. The Educator can promote language development by emphasizing the words bigger and biggest, smaller and smallest, and also asking the children to repeat the words. 

In addition, the flower can be used as a transition to leave the circle, for example to go wash hands for snack or to play by asking a question. For example, "Can you find me the biggest blue flower?"

 

Pumpkin Preschool Songs

The following felt pieces were created for the classic, Five Little Pumpkins, but I always extend the use of pumpkin felts with the following songs. To begin, turn one or all of the pumpkins around so the face is not showing.

Song #1
To the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

I am a pumpkin, orange and round.
You will find me on the ground.
Sometimes big, and sometimes small,
You will find me when it's fall.
I am a pumpkin, orange and round.
You will find me on the ground.



Song#2
To the tune of Sing a Song of Six Pence

First you take a pumpkin, big and round and fat
Then carve the top off, and that will make the hat
Then you carve the nose out, the mouth and the eyes
Show to the children for a Halloween surprise!

Then of course, turn the felt pumpkin around to finish the song, and finally you could sing

To the tune of I'm a Little Teapot

I'm a Jack-o-lantern, look at me
I'm as happy as I can be
Put a candle in, and light the light
Don't be frightened, it's Halloween night.


Sometimes, it doesn't take alot of felt pieces to entertain children :)

Five Little Monkeys

I have used this felt glove so many times during my ECE profession. The Preschool aged children love the visual presentation matching the song Five Little Monkeys Swinging in the tree. The glove is also great to have in your pocket during outside time to bring out to entertain a child or group of children, and awesome to have in your field trip backpack! The monkey template can also be created for Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. 

Dog's Colorful Day

                        

This felt story can accompany the book by Emma Dodd , a story about a dog who "starts off the day with one black spot on this ear. But it seems that wherever her goes, he runs, rolls and trots right into colors." (Amazon.com)

This felt story facilitates color recognition, memory development, counting and self care, because all the spots are removed once the dog washes and has a bath. 😊

Matching Mittens Felt Activity

It's getting colder outside...this is a great felt activity to bring to group circle time or small group activities with young children: 

Matching Mittens

Matching activities are a great tool for teaching color, size, shape and design to young children. In addition, matching experiences allow children to participate themselves by bringing a felt piece to the felt board at a circle time or by matching the mittens themselves at a classroom station. With felt, the children can feel the softness of the material, and the fabric is very durable for those little hands. Try making two sizes of mittens with the same colors. This activity can be made to equal the amount of children in a group setting, so that everyone can have one mitten in their hands to bring to a flannel board. It is also helpful to use as a circle time transition .

Songs to sing with this activity: 

Song #1

Thumb in the thumb place

Fingers all together

This is the song we sing

In Mitten weather 

Song #2 (sung to the tune of Row Row Row Your Boat) 

Warm, warm, warm and dry

Mittens feel so nice

So grab a pair in chilly air

Or in the snow and ice. 

Space Preschool Felt Story: Five Little Astronauts

At the Preschool I currently work at, we  just recently finished a three week Space Interest! For some reason, I did not have any space felt themed stories which gave me an opportunity to start making some new felts. The following is my favourite: Five Little Astronauts

Five Little Astronauts

Five little Astronauts sitting on the stars

The first one said, let’s go to Mars

The second one said, there are rockets in the air

The third one said, but where oh where

The fourth one said, let’s fly up in the sky

The fifth one said, oh yes! Let’s fly!

Then whoosh went the rocket ship into the night

And the five little astronauts zoomed out of sight!

Bird Preschool Theme and the Felt Board

Here's a trick...instead of recreating an entire new set of felts to match your Preschool theme or interest, look at your collection, and find the stories (or songs) with the interest inside. For example, if the theme is birds, indeed there are specific stories surrounding the bird as the main character such as...

But, there are also many songs and stories with bird characters inside. So, choose stories or songs, and emphasize the bird to match the current interest. For example, with the following felt pieces below, the Educator can ask  open ended questions to provoke concepts and learning, such as, "Which animals have wings? Which animal has feathers?"

Out in the Garden

The following images are felt pieces in my collection, along with links to blog entries providing more information:

Green Grass Grew All Around

Down By the Bay

Ten Little Yellow Ducks

Brown Bear, Brown Bear

Five Little Ducks

Five Little Penguins



Further Reading Suggestion: 

Ideas for a Preschool Bird Theme

Felt Advent Calendar and Number Recognition

We all know the traditional Advent Calendars filled with a chocolate a day leading up to Christmas. 25 days of sweets! Recently, there seems to be many variations to the original calendar for both children and adults. This year, I made one for my teenage son who claims his father eats all the chips in our home (actually, this is true)!

This is an "Advent" Calendar made with felt ornaments that could be placed out throughout December in any Early Childhood Environment and helps foster number recognition.

Alternatively, the ornaments could be matching which would help with transitioning out of Circle Time.

So easy to make and fun to interact with!

Happy Holidays

Scat the Cat Felt Board Story

Scat the Cat is one of my favorite felt stories to present to Preschool aged children during circle time. As I tell the story, I ask children to think of other things that are the same color of the cat. This open ended question fosters cognitive and creative development.

My version of this story.... 

Once upon a time there was a black cat. His mom was black, his dad was black and his brothers and sisters were black. 

This cat had a very special hat, it was magical. When he put it on his head, he could change his color. 

So, on this day, Scat the Cat put on his hat and said, "I'm Scat the Cat and with my hat, I am going to change my colors just like that!"

And Scat the Cat changed himself into a blue cat. He was blue as blue can be. He was as blue as....(this is when the children are given some time to provide answers. Get ready, for the children get very excited as they provide answers). 

But after awhile, he was tired of being blue, and so he put on his hat and he said, "I'm Scat the Cat and with my hat, I'm going to change my colors just like that!" 

And Scat the Cat changed himself into a red cat....

AND SO ON. 

The story ends when  you are finished the colors OR when it seems right with the children.

The Ending: Scat the Cat realized he was happy being a black cat. He didn't know why he wanted to change. So he put on his hat and he said, "I'm Scat the Cat and with my hat, I change back into a black cat". 

Preschool Math Concepts and the Felt Board

Felt pieces on a flannel board provide young children visual cues for basic math. Many songs, poems and stories  teach math concepts such as number recognition, counting, matching as well as the introduction of adding and subtracting. By including mathematical concepts within the telling of a story or poem,  it will foster cognitive development within the young audience members.

Every time we have a felt story with numbers, we can ask children to count along, or ask open ended questions to encourage subtraction and addition. For example, "If I have five ladybugs all together, and one is on the felt board, how many are in my bag?" These type questions stimulate the minds of older preschool children.

There are so many felt stories and preschool songs with the number five. Next time you are telling the story, try including some math questions to challenge the children's minds: 

"If I have two on the board, and three in my bag, how many felt pieces do I have all together?' 

"I have four on the board, I will take one away, so how many will be left?" 

"Two felts make a pair. We have four all together, so how many pairs do we have?" 

And so on, and so on...

Spring Flower Felt Board Activities

To the Tune of Farmer in the Dell 

Springtime is finally here, oh springtime is finally here

Flowers come this time of year

Springtime is finally here. 

Springtime is finally here.

Springtime is finally here, oh springtime is finally here

The bees are buzzing, can you hear

Springtime is finally here. 

Use these Flower Felts for Transitioning out of Circle Time

Other felt board activities, such as matching or sequencing, work particularly well with transitions and of course language development. In larger groups, in order to allow every child an opportunity to visit the felt board, you could ask children to bring pieces to the board, and then ask children to remove the pieces. In the flower example, 9 children bring a flower to the board to place in the right sequence, and 9 children remove one flower. But, with smaller groups, the children could simply take the pieces off. For example, "Jenny, could you please come to the board and find me the biggest purple flower?". When Jenny successfully completes this request, the teacher can ask the group, "Is she right? Let's give her a clap. Hooray!" Followed by, "Jenny you can go and wash your hands". The amount of time this takes with each child, will allow for a gradual transition.

Matching and Sequencing Flowers

Preschool children can learn basic math concepts with these visual felt flowers. In this activity, children can be provided a flower to bring to the felt board. This hands on activity works well for circle time management. When the children bring the flower to the board, they can find which color it matches as well as the order of size. The Educator will then promote language development by emphasizing the words bigger and biggest, smaller and smallest, while asking children to repeat the words together. 

Five Little Snowmen Felt Story---Easy to Make

Five little snowmen, on a winter’s day.

The first one said, wake up so we can play.

The second one said, let’s stomp on the ground

The third one said, let’s roll all around

The fourth one said, let’s run and run and run

The fifth one said, I’m afraid I feel the sun

Oh dear, cried the snowmen

As they looked toward the sky

And the five melting snowmen

Waved a fond good-bye.

Fall Leaf Poems

                

Online Early Childhood Workshops with Circle of Idea

Itsy Bitsy Spider Felt Board

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Such a classic song for young children to enjoy, and it's very easy to make the felts to accompany the song and story. Toddlers, in particular, love this action song.

Adding some glittery felt paint will add to the final product.

Spring Flower Felt Glove Puppet

These fun Felt Glove Puppets are perfect for spring. On one side is the bulb, and the other side the tulip. So when the finger is closed the bulb can be seen and when opened the tulip pops up! 

Tulip Poem

Ten tulip bulbs planted in the ground
Can you see them? Will they be found?
The sun shone bright and the rain came down
And one little tulip sprung up from the ground.

Felt Snowmen and Color Recognition

Felt Snowmen

These fun snowmen allow young children to decorate as well as match colors. It is a felt activity that is easy to make. After making templates of a snowman, hat and scarf, cut out five snowmen with different color clothes. The hat and scarf should match to allow children to experience color coordination with the activity. The snowmen can be decorated with eyes, carrot nose, smile and buttons. Try outlining the snowmen with crystal fabric paint for an extra touch. Here is a poem to attach to this felt activity:



Five little snowmen, on a winter's day.
The first one said, wake up so we can play
The second one said, let's stomp on the ground
The third one said, let's roll all around
The fourth one said, let's run and run and run
The fifth one said, I'm afraid I feel the sun
Oh dear, cried the snowmen
As they looked toward the sky
And the five melting snowmen
Waved a fond good bye

Further Reading:

Snow and Ice Preschool Activities

Snowflake Preschool Songs

Santa Clause Felt Activity

Young children enjoy hands on experiences. This felt board activity allows young children to put together Santa Claus themselves, not unlike dress up dolls. The song, Must Be Santa can be used to put the pieces together, whether at a circle time with an Early Childhood Educator or in a home environment.

To make this felt board activity,  find thick paper to make the templates for all they lyrics, then draw them, cut the fabric out and decorate the felt material. Santa will have the following pieces:

• head/face with rosy cheeks
• white moustache and white beard
• red and white hat red
• white coat red pants 
• black buckle 
• black boots
•  red mittens 
• Santa's bag

Further Reading

Christmas Around the World

Preschool Christmas Presents to Make

Fall Preschool Felt Ideas: Squirrel and Acorns

Gathering All the Acorns Till They're Gone
Sung to: "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain"

I'll be gathering all the acorns till they're gone.
I'll be gathering all the acorns till they're gone.
I'll be gathering all the acorns, gathering all the acorns,
Gathering all the acorns till they're gone.(Children make collecting motion with their hands)

And I'll put them all inside my little home.
I will put them all inside my little home.
I will put them all inside, put them all inside,
Put them all inside my little home.(children pretend to place nuts in tree house)

And I'll eat the nuts until the winter's gone.
I will eat the nuts until the winter's gone.
I will eat the nuts until, eat the nuts until,
Eat the nuts until the winter's gone.
(children pretend to eat acorns)

Then I'll do it all again come next fall.
I will do it all again come next fall.
I will do it all again, do it all again,
Do it all again come next fall. (gathering motion with hands and arms again)

---

Five Little Squirrels 

Five little squirrels with acorns to store.
One went to sleep and then there were four!
Four little squirrels hunting acorns in a tree.
One fell down, and now there are three!
Three little squirrels wondering what to do.
One got lost, and now there are two!
Two little squirrels tossing acorns for fun.
One got tired, and now there is one!
One little squirrel playing in the sun.
He ran away, now there are none.

---

Frisky Squirrel                

Sung to: "The Grand Old Duke of York"
Oh, the frisky little squirrel
He gathers nuts and seeds.
He hides them for the winter months
So he'll have all he needs.
Refrain:
Oh, up-up-up he goes
And down-down-down he comes.
He runs around - goes up and down.
His work is never done. (repeat refrain)



Further Reading: 

Fall Activities for Developing Math Skills 

Squirrel Preschool Theme

Using the Felt Board for Circle Time Transition

What is Circle Time Transition? 

In Early Childhood programs, young children participate in circle time. Circle time incorporates a variety of teacher directed activities. It is a time for children to build skills in listening, group participation, sharing ideas, learning and having fun.

The felt board offers Educators opportunities to provide children visual props to stories, songs, and games which teach concepts, such as matching or counting.

Another benefit of the felt board is to help with transitions. When circle or group time is finished, it is best for children to leave circle one by one into the next area. Often eating or going outside is the next activity after circle time. Circle time provides an opportunity for the other Educators to clean up and prepare for the upcoming schedule, and once ready, the children can move to washing their hands or getting ready for outside. If all the children leave the circle at once, and rush to the washroom or cubby room, it leads to problematic situations. So, a gradual transition out of circle time works best for classroom management.

Any pieces on the felt board can be used for transitions, simply by asking questions to the children. For instance, "Can you find me the bear?"

Other felt board activities, such as matching or sequencing, work particularly well with transitions and of course language development. In larger groups, in order to allow every child an opportunity to visit the felt board, you could ask children to bring pieces to the board, and then ask children to remove the pieces. In the flower example, 9 children bring a flower to the board to place in the right sequence, and 9 children remove one flower. But, with smaller groups, the children could simply take the pieces off. For example, "Jenny, could you please come to the board and find me the biggest purple flower?". When Jenny successfully completes this request, the teacher can ask the group, "Is she right? Let's give her a clap. Hooray!" Followed by, "Jenny you can go and wash your hands". The amount of time this takes with each child, will allow for a gradual transition.

Summer Felt Board Ideas

Although Preschool Teachers take a break, many Early Childhood Programs are open throughout the summer. It is a time spent outdoors more than any other time of the year, but when those children are ready for a group circle or storytime, here are some summer theme ideas for the felt board!

Oh Mr. Sun

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun,
Mr. Golden Sun
Please shine down on me

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun
Mr. Golden Sun
Hiding behind a tree

These little children are asking you
To please come out so they can play with you

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun
Mr. Golden Sun
Please shine down on me!






Five Green and Speckled Frogs
As Raffi starts his song.... "On a hot hot day in July..."

Five Little Sailboats

Five little sailboats went out one day

Into the ocean and far away

Over the waves the boats do rock

Two of the boats decide to dock

Three little sailboats in the sea

With the sun as happy as can be

Two of the sailboats want to stay

So anchors they drop, for the day

One sailboat left, away he goes

A gust of wind, it sure does blow

As he rides the waves up and down

All the way to another town!