Dates to Remember
April 1 – April Fools Day – Have a silly day. Children can dress funny, do things in reverse such as your daily routine, mix things up in the classroom.
April 2 – 8 – National Library Day – A trip to the local library! Call ahead if you have a large number of children so the librarian can prepare for your visit
April 13 – Full moon – talk about the moon, read books
April 22 – Earth Day – Good day to plant flowers to take home for Mother’s Day next month, take the kids on a nature walk and talk about what you saw when you arrive back. For more Earth Day Activities click here
Coloring Pages
A Big Egg
This can be used as a coloring page by itself or have the children color it then cut it out!
A Smiling Flower
Spring Coloring Pages
April Activity Ideas
Science
April is a good time to start plants in cups. Some flowers the go well into a cup to take home include marigolds, pansies, or any flower that stays short. The children will love watching their plants come to life. One planting activity to help expand their curiosity is to take a dry bean of any kind, a clear cup, a wad of paper towels, and some water. Saturate the paper towel so it is wet. Stuff it into the clear cup. Place a bean or 2 along side of the paper towel so it is visible. Observe the progress every day. The children will see the bean “explode” with the plant coming out. Another cute idea is to decorate a terra cota plant pot to look like a face (or a Styrofoam cup will do). Obtain some grass seeds and potting soil. The trick with this is to not plant the seeds very deep. When the grass grows, your new friend will grow hair!
Art
If weather permits, sidewalk chalk is always a big hit with preschoolers. Paint with bright colors. Make paper kites! Here is a kite template. Have the children color it, glue some string to one end and you have a homemade kite.
Math
Counting of spring objects and file folder games. Some ideas for file folder game pictures:
Umbrellas
Raindrops
Flowers
Baby Animals
Library/Stories/Language Arts
Other Activities
Tin Can Stilts
These can be used for Large Muscle or Dramatic play area
How to make:
Material: empty coffee cans, nylon cord, nail, and hammer Method: puncture two holes opposite ech other in can, pull nylon cord through holes the desired length, tie together in a large knot. Creative Movement: walk different directions, set up pylons make yourself low or very tall, pretend you are marching, step over obstacles (such as a bean bag)...etc.
Recipes
Do you have a seasonal recipe you love and would be wiling to share with other? Or is there something you make with your children that you think others would enjoy? E-mail me the recipe along with your first name and what state you are from and I will include it in a future Themed article!
Ants on a Log
WARNING!!! If there is a peanut butter allergy, skip ahead to the next recipe
I loved making these when I was a child. They are simple to make. You need some celery cut about 4 to 5 inches long, some peanut butter and some raisins. Fill the inside of the celery with peanut butter. Put some raisins (ants) on top and enjoy!
Pizza Muffins
Another child favorite! They can make their own mini pizzas. Take some English muffins and separate them into the 2 halves. Let the children choose whatever they want to put on it: pizza sauces, pepperoni, ham cubes, mushrooms, cheese, etc. The oven should be preheating at about 300 degrees while you are topping the pizzas. When the children are done with their creations, place on cookie sheets in the oven for about 5 to 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
I hope you enjoyed this first installment of my monthly themed articles. I would really appreciate all feedback and suggestions on what you like, didn’t like, would like to see, etc. Stay tuned for more great articles this month!
