What would I do if I were a child in the Transitional 3s class?

 

“There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.

She had so many children, but SHE knew what to do.

She gave them some broth, she gave them some bread,

She kissed them all soundly, and put them to bed!”

 

This traditional nursery rhyme (updated) is the basis for a unit on “Families” for the Transitional 3s program at Presbyterian Nursery School. Many age-appropriate activities for young three’s are planned to develop many skill areas. Examples are:

 

--The nursery rhyme is introduced with flannel board figures at group time. The children are encouraged to repeat the rhyme; saying it fast and slow adds to the fun! (Language, following directions, listening)

 

--Posterboard shoe shapes with punched holes are available during the first hour of the day for children to lace (free choice, fine motor).

 

--Each child sits with a grown-up and a magazine and the child selects pictures of children to tear out and save for an art project  (visual discrimination, fine motor, language).

 

--Each child selects a pre-cut large construction paper shoe (many color choices available) to glue on 12 x 18 inch paper. The magazine pictures previously selected are added to the shoe with glue, creating the old woman’s home and family (making choices, fine motor, and self-help)

 

--Family photos are brought in by each child and added to a large “My Family” poster during group time. These photos are referenced by each child as they individually complete an art activity where different strips of paper are chosen by the child to represent the family members in the picture and glued on a 12 x 18 inch sheet of construction paper. The helping grown-up labels the strips with family names for each child (fine motor, language, visual discrimination, and self-concept).

 

--Classroom babies (toys) are washed by each child in bathtubs with warm water, baby wash, and washcloths. They are then dried and dressed (dressing requires some adult help) and played with (self-help, self-care, language, motor skills, independence).

 

--Simple individual There Was an Old Woman books are printed, assembled, and used with the children at group time. We “read” the pages as we turn them left to right and each child takes their book home to share with family members (fine motor coordination, language, self-help, literacy development).

 

--A “Family Concentration” game is played in small groups (visual discrimination, language, following directions, taking turns).

 

--Laminated shoe shapes are available, numbered 1-6. Giant lima beans (with faces drawn on) are available for the child to count out the appropriate number and place on each shoe (math, visual discrimination, fine motor).

 

Created by Presbyterian Nursery School. Use with permission.