-
DIY Kids Turkey Keepsakes
There’s a reason that the handprint turkey is still a standard Thanksgiving craft – it’s timeless and universally loved. We made this cute handprint before my daughter’s first Thanksgiving, and we look forward to pulling it out every year and comparing her hand size. There are so many ways to create family keepsakes with a simple handprint turkey. Here are a few of them:
-
Casual Thanksgiving Outfits
Out Thanksgiving celebrations are pretty chill. If I’m sitting around and eating a lot I want to be comfortable! Here’s my inspiration for the week’s events (all links are affiliates).
-
Thanksgiving Dramatic Play
Thanksgiving can be a bit of a minefield to explore in the classroom. It’s really hard for preschoolers to understand the historical significance of the holiday – they can’t comprehend just how long ago the first Thanksgiving took place. It’s also a challenge to represent the holiday in a way that is culturally competent while also remaining developmentally appropriate. This is why I try to stick with two common themes related to Thanksgiving; Food and Family. Food is ideal for Thanksgiving-themed dramatic play. Here are three different ideas for this holiday: Family table – give children all of the materials that they might need to create beautiful Thanksgiving table scapes.…
-
Classroom Materials for Thanksgiving
My favorite part of any holiday or season is making sure that it is reflected in my classroom materials. These are the kinds of things that children are seeing in their homes and in local stores and businesses, so it makes sense that they would also be able to to interact with them in the classroom. Thanksgiving holds a special place in my heart for a couple of reasons. First, it’s so easily forgotten in the rush to get to Christmas, and that makes me want to dig in my heels and make sure that it’s recognized. Second because I love to cook and bake, so it seems just made…
-
Teaching Thankfulness in Preschool
Thanksgiving is a two-part holiday – first, you’ve got the historical references, and then there are the social emotional lessons. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to help children practice being thankful, and for very young preschoolers, this may be the first time they’ve ever considered the fact they they are lucky to have certain people and things in their lives. There are a number of ways to help children focus on what they are thankful for this holiday season, here are a few ideas; Host a food drive. This doesn’t have to be just for Thanksgiving, make it last until your winter break. Families need help all winter long! Some…
-
Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Freebie
I can imagine that you’re feeling the Thanksgiving crunch, so I’m coming through with a quick and easy last-minute Thanksgiving activity – oh, and did I mention that it’s free?! This opinion survey set can be used in the classroom, but it would also be an excellent activity for any holiday get together. Print the pages and put them on a clipboard, then send your preschooler around to ask everyone for their opinions! These would be great conversation starters, and they’re sure to spark some strong opinions. You can download them HERE (or by clicking on the photo).
-
Thanksgiving Pie Experiment
I know that there are very strong opinions about using food for preschool activities, and I understand both sides of the argument. Personally, I believe that food is something that brings us together. It is a powerful way to open children’s minds to new experiences, and to introduce them to cultural experiences. I am especially partial to taste-tests as science and social studies activities because it gives me the opportunity to expose children to something that they may not ever encounter at home. I’ve been known to taste test fruits and vegetables, in order to introduce new foods and encourage children to be open to trying new things. This particular…
-
November Lesson Plans!
It’s officially here! The November Month of Preschool set is available! This collection of activities just my be my favorite month yet. It can be tricky to navigate Thanksgiving and all of the different family and historical aspects that come with it. The learning experiences included in this set cover the holiday and related themes in developmentally and culturally appropriate ways, while still being tons of fun. There is a heavy focus on the holiday, including themes of families, gratitude and thankfulness, traditional Thanksgiving foods, and baking. I’ve added some brand new activities, and even a few that are only available as part of this set. Here’s a sneak peak…
