Materials
Ink pads or paint and a pan
Paper
Photos of animals or similar pictures from magazines
Contact paper
Instructions
1. Send the children home with an ink pad or paint and a pan and four pieces of paper. Attach a note asking parents to assist their child in making four paw prints of their pet or a friend orneighbor's pet. Also request that they send in a photo of their pet.
2. Collect the paw prints and cover with contact paper for durability. Match the photos to the prints and mark the backs of the photos with stickers or colored shapes similar to those on the paw prints. This will enable the children to check their answers at a self-directed center.
3. At a center or during circle time bring out several of the paw prints and spread them out for all to see. Discuss their differences and similarities, sizes and shapes, etc. Begin to guess what kinds of animals would leave such footprints.
4. One by one, show the children's photos that the children brought in and begin to match the prints to the photos.
5. Put the pet prints and the matching photos on a table or leave them on the carpet during free play so the children can use them as a self-directed activity.
6. Children can also make prints of their own bare feet with paint. When the footprints are dry and covered with contact paper, the children try to find the prints that match their own feet.
