Toys

Exercise With T

As children become familiar with this rhyme, they can perform the actions as they repeat the words.

Toothpicks, tools, and toys

All begin with T. (place one hand up, the other across its top to form a T)

Let’s all make the sound

T-T-T-T-T!! (kids repeat sound together)

Lie straight on the floor.

Stretch out arms and hands, (kids perform action)

Now you are letter T

We think that is grand!

Stand up straight and tall

Arms and hands way out. (kids perform action)

Show how letter T

Can hop all about! (kids perform action)

Susan LaBella   Editor, Early Childhood Education Newsletter

Turtle

IT’S A TEA PARTY!

Read to children various poems from the book Tea Party Today by Eileen Spinelli. Talk about children’s favorite poems and ask them to explain their selections. Then make decaffeinated flavored teas (adequately cooled) and pour into plastic tea cups for children to try. Serve with animal crackers for a real tea party!

TURTLE TREATS

Slice circles of packaged sugar-cookie dough found in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores. Roll out the dough to flatten each circle. Place circles on a cookie sheet. Give children jelly beans to add to their circles to create feet, heads, and tails for their “turtles.” Sprinkle green sugar onto each turtle and bake following package directions. Serve with tapioca pudding for a tasty snack.

TULIP TIME

Let children hold their fingers together and place their palms into a shallow dish of red, pink, or yellow paint. Help children press their wet palms onto a piece of paper several times. Children can then paste pre-cut green paper stems and leaves below each tulip to create a pretty garden.

TIME OF DAY

Using a non-digital clock, turn the hands to various times of day. Announce the time. (For example: It is 6 o’clock at night.) Invite children to tell you what they usually do at that time of day/evening (eat dinner, read a book, and so on). If any children are able, give them turns at moving the clock hands and announcing the time.

HANGING Ts

Hang a small clothesline in your room at children’s height. (Be sure it is out of the way of their play area.) Gather some snap type clothespins and write the letter T on each one. Next, cut out pictures of objects with names that begin with T and objects with names that do not begin with T. Place pictures in a box or basket. Invite children to choose T-named pictures to hang with their T clothespins on the line.

YOUR WORD CORNER

Here are some words you will need.      

See them, say them … hey, you can read!!

ten   tiger   top

Write the words on a chart and review them. Then read aloud each sentence that appears below. Try each word in each sentence. Let children tell you which word fits.
1. I saw a _______________at the zoo.

2. I have ____________toes.

3. He climbed to the __________of the hill.

Check out the following Web sites for additional background and activities.

Traffic Light

Scroll down this page to find the traffic light craft and traffic light game. http://www.fastq.com/~jbpratt/education/theme/transportation/main.html

T Sound

Reinforce the sound with this cute printable. http://www.kizclub.com/Phonics/beginning/Tsound.pdf

T Is for Turtle

Get ten facts about real turtles, some literature suggestions, and a few extension activities. http://www.brighthub.com/education/early-childhood/articles/63926.aspx

Letter T Activities and Crafts

You’ll find lots of fun activity and book suggestions here. http://www.freekidcrafts.com/lettert.html

Letter T Is for Tent

Your kids will enjoy this online coloring activity. http://www.apples4theteacher.com/coloring-pages/interactive-alphabet/letter-t/tent.html

Have you visited Education World’s newest early childhood feature, the Early Childhood Activity Bank? There you will find hundreds of activities from past Early Childhood Newsletters arranged by month or subject. Below are a bunch of activities you might enjoy trying out in the weeks ahead.

Special Activities for Earth Day and Arbor Day

Back to Nature: Investigating Trash What Pollutes Our Air? Don’t Be a Litterbug Recycled Crayons Make a Promise Tree An Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Eating Volcanoes Friendship Fruit Salad Grocery Store Walk (Letter Identification) My Tree Book Tree Math Why Be a Tree? Paper Trees More Tree Math The Shape of Trees to Come Trees Are Terrific What Do I Feel? (Parts of a Tree)