Children are born explorers, adventurers, climbers and builders. Because sitting still doesn’t come naturally, award-winning Gryphon House authors developed innovative music and movement activities for all ages. Children learn math through counting rhythms, art through pleasant melodies, and science through investigative play with percussion instruments. Explore the activities below to get started on building music lesson plans for toddlers, infants or preschoolers.
St. Patrick's Day falls on March 17th and celebrates the famous patron saint of Ireland. In this activity, children will use fine motor skills to lace yarn through a shamrock while learning about this Irish symbol for the holy trinity— faith, hope and love. For more festive monthly activities, get the book, The GIANT Encyclopedia of Monthly Activities For Children 3 to 6.
printable Art Sensory Individual ChildWelcome spring with this nature necklaces activity! We know that interacting with nature is beneficial for children on many levels, but sometimes it can be difficult for teachers to know how to incorporate nature into children's days. This nature necklaces activity from The GIANT Encyclopedia of Science Activities for Children 3 to 6 can be done outside or inside (with collected nature items brought indoors) and incorporated easily into other curriculum or learning centers.
printable Outdoor Learning Art Science Spring Large GroupChildren are naturally drawn to beauty in nature. This activity allows children to observe and ask questions about flowers as they make their own flower arrangements. This activity can be done with fresh flowers from a florist, wild flowers from outside, or dried flowers. For more simple science activities that peak children's natural interest, get the book The GIANT Encyclopedia of Science Activities for Children 3 to 6.
printable Outdoor Learning Science Spring Large GroupThis hands-on relaxation activity helps children begin to develop skills for self-regulation and learn how to move from an excited state to a more calm state. These important social-emotional skills of initiative and self-control will be useful through children's lives as they learn and grow! Get the book Socially Strong, Emotionally Secure: 50 Activities to Promote Resilience in Young Children for more strategies and activities to help children become socially and emotionally healthy for life.
Social EmotionalWhat better way to celebrate Valentine's Day (February 14th) than with a fun craft that children can use to decorate the classroom, or take home to decorate their own space?! Check out the instructions below for creating Valentine Mobiles from the book, The GIANT Encyclopedia of Monthly Activities For Children 3 to 6.
printable Art Individual ChildGroundhog Day is a tradition observed in the United States on February 2nd each year. According to this ancient German tradition brought to America, if a groundhog comes out of its burrow on this day, sees its shadow and runs back into its burrow, this means six more weeks of winter weather. If the groundhog sees no shadow, this means an early spring.
Teach children about this fun tradition while they create their own groundhogs in burrows with this activity using simple materials from The GIANT Encyclopedia of Kindergarten Activities.
printable Art Individual ChildThis activity from The GIANT Encyclopedia of Art & Craft Activities for Children 3 to 6 is sure to provide some sensory fun for young children using easy-to-find materials! Children will reap multi-disciplinary benefits from this activity from creatively using their senses and learning about primary and secondary colors to gaining vocabulary and pre-literacy skills, math skills, and more.
printable Literacy Art Sensory Individual ChildSometimes when it rains, children may feel cooped up and exhibit challenging behaviors. Teachers have to create their own sunshine inside by finding ways to keep children active and engaged indoors. Help children create their own sunshine band hats & form their own sunshine band to chase away the clouds and rain with this activity! The noise may wake up the whole school, but marching is a good way to stimulate the brain and have some active fun. For more ideas that make being stuck inside fun, get the book Rainy Day Activities by Dr. Jean Feldman.
Movement and Play Seasonal Learning: WinterDuring winter, or any other time where there is inclement weather that keeps children indoors, it can be difficult to find ways to keep children entertained, learning, and focusing their energy in positive ways. Not to fear! Banish Boredom is here! Check out these three activities from the book that you can save for a day with inclement weather to create some excitement indoors!
Movement and Play Art Lesson Planning Science Seasonal Learning: WinterUse open-ended music and movement activities for preschoolers to encourage a long standing appreciation of music and the arts. Our movement activities are designed to focus childrens’ natural energy and curiosity in fun, educational ways. Twisting, bending, wiggling, and jumping to rhythms teaches children how their bodies move as they enjoy creating music from percussion instruments.
Our music activities for preschoolers are innovative and thoughtfully crafted for educators looking for creative ways to teach social skills while enhancing rhythmic awareness. When preschoolers are given the chance to use their voices for singing, or hands for shaking tambourines, they’re making vital connections between themselves and the outside world.
Parents can easily adapt music and movement activities created for preschoolers and toddlers for their younger children. Music activities for infants can be as simple as singing silly rhyming songs. Not only does singing to infants boost language development, singing enhances other areas of infant development like improvisation and creative thinking.
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