Mother's Day
(Open thematic poster-Mother's Day)
SPECIAL TOOL
We have created a steps and stages guide for preschoolers. (Open steps and stages-preschool) Print and use it to inform parents of their child's progress.
CIRCLE TIME
Ask children to bring a picture or an object which reminds them of their mother to daycare with them. Set up a "mommy corner" which includes all the pictures and objects. Invite each child to identify the items which represent his mother.
Suggested questions to spark a conversation:
- Can you describe your mother?
- What do mothers do during the day?
- What do you love best about your mother?
- What is your mother's name? What is your grandmother's name?
- What does your mother love? What is her favourite meal? What is her favourite drink?
- What is your mother's job?
- Do you have a special name for your mother?
Collective story
After your circle time discussion, ask your group to invent a story about mothers. Encourage them to provide ideas. Jot down all their suggestions. When they are done, read them their "story". Invite them to illustrate the story. Display it on the wall.
AREA SETUP
Before beginning the theme, prepare a chart listing the name of each child and four columns which can be used to add the information children discover about their mother during the theme. By requesting the necessary information ahead of time, you will better be able to support children in their discoveries as well as offer workshops which correspond to the mothers' interests. You may give mothers the questionnaire a few weeks ahead of time to ensure you have plenty of time to prepare your activities. (Open questionnaire mothers) Print and give a copy to each mother.
Educa-decorate-Mother's Day
(Open educa-decorate-Mother's Day) Print, cut out, and laminate. Decorate your walls and hang decorations from the ceiling to create a special atmosphere for the theme.
Jewellery garland
(Open models-large jewels) Print and let children decorate a garland. Cut it out and hang it within the daycare or near the daycare entrance. Prepare a thematic bin for your "mommy corner". Include necklaces, mirrors, makeup, dresses, scarves, hats, dolls, baby bottles, a tea set, an apron, dishes, gardening tools, knitting and embroidery projects, etc. Ask parents to provide pictures of each child's mother, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers if possible. Display all pictures on a special wall within the daycare.
PICTURE GAME
The pictures may be used as a memory game or to spark a conversation with your group. Use them to decorate your daycare or a thematic corner. (Open picture game-Mother's Day-2) Print, laminate, and store in a "Ziploc" bag or in your thematic bin.
WRITING ACTIVITIES
Writing sheet
Print the writing activity sheet for each child or print one copy and laminate it for use with a dry-erase marker. (Open writing activities-M for mother)
Stationery-Mother's Day
You may use the stationery to communicate with parents, in your writing area, or to identify your thematic bins. (Open stationery-Mother's Day) Print.
ACTIVITY SHEETS
Activity sheets are suggested for each theme. Print and follow instructions. (Open activity sheets-Mother's Day)
Fine motor skills-Activity sheet
(Open fine motor skills activity sheet-Mother's Day) Print. Have children complete the sheet as per instructions.
Educa-nuudles-Mother's Day
(Open educa-nuudles-Mother's Day) Print for each child. Have children color the sheet. Once they are done, they may use Magic Nuudles to turn their coloring page into a three-dimensional work of art. Variation: If you do not have Magic Nuudles, ask children to fill the spaces designed for the Magic Nuudles with bingo markers or stickers.
To order Magic Nuudles:
LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES
Word flashcards
The flashcards may be used to spark a conversation with your group, in your reading and writing area, or to identify your thematic bins. (Open word flashcards-Mother's Day) Mommy, necklace, perfume, dress, baby, grandmother, dishes, laundry, cleaning, makeup, cake, purse
Educ-chat-Mother's Day
Educ-chat is a game which is made up of several different illustrations which represent subjects, verbs, and objects. They can be used to help children make complete sentences and enrich their vocabulary. (Open educ-chat-Mother's Day) Print, cut out, and laminate the cards. Make three different piles (subject, verb, and object). Ask children to pick three cards, one from each pile. Have them "read" the sentence. The sentences will sometimes be quite silly but you are sure to have fun. You may also choose to place the cards yourself and have children "read" the sentences.
Happy Mother's Day!
(Open poster-Happy Mother's Day) Print and display for everyone to see. Parents will enjoy pronouncing the words in many different languages with their children.
Sequential story
(Open sequential story-Mother's Day) Print the story. Laminate it and cut out the illustrations. Have children place them in the correct order to recreate the story.
Picture clue story
(Open picture clue story-Mother's Day) Print. Sit in a circle with your group. Begin reading the story. When you reach a picture clue pause and point to the illustration. Encourage children to guess the missing word.
Mommy may I?
Call children one by one. When it is their turn, they must ask if they may execute various actions related to animals. For example, a child may say, "Mommy may I act like a frog?" If you accept, the child must hop like a frog until you call out his name again. On the other hand, you may decide to say, "No, you are part of the dog family!" In this case, the child would crawl on four legs and bark. Other examples of animals which are easy to imitate are a chicken, a horse, or a kangaroo.
VARIOUS WORKSHOPS
Have fun with these wonderful workshop ideas provided by Caroline Allard.
Construction/building blocks:
- Blocks of all kinds to encourage children to build a home, their current home or their dream home.
- Figurines of all kinds to represent families.
- Figurines which represent various careers and professions, children will make associations with their mother's job.
Arts & crafts:
- Craft supplies such as dried flowers and/or pot-pourri children may use to make a card for their mother or grandmother.
- Tissue paper flowers.
- Small potpourri packets.
- Handmade jewellery...why not?
Drawing:
- Coloring pages which represent family members and activities which are enjoyed by families.
- Creative coloring.
Role play:
- Clothing children can use to personify a mother such as a skirt, a dress, necklaces, high-heeled shoes, etc.
- Items which are used to care for babies. Include dolls, towels, small bathtub, empty soap and shampoo bottles, bowl, spoon, milk bottle, bibs, diapers, facecloths, etc. Children will love washing, feeding, and changing their babies!
- Add brushes, hair accessories, elastics, and a curling iron for children to pretend they are hairstyling their hair just like their mother does.
- You will find additional suggestions within the general theme.
Manipulation:
- Memory game with educatall.com word flashcards.
- Magnetic game with a face and eyes, noses, and mouths children can add.
- Beads of all kinds which can be used to make necklaces and bracelets for moms.
- A Lite-Brite game, it shines like jewels!
- A Lotto game involving illustrations which represent mothers.
- Try knitting or sewing like mothers and grandmothers.
- Fabric flowers which can be planted in modeling dough to make pretty bouquets.
Pre-reading:
- Books about families.
- Books children enjoy reading with their mother. Invite them to share their favourites with you!
- Rock the children in your group, stuffed animals, and dolls just like mothers do. Remember to share plenty of hugs too!
- Listen to lullabies with headphones.
Pre-writing:
- Hunt and seek games.
- Various activity sheets related to the theme.
- Games with educatall.com word flashcards.
- Tracing and maze activities.
- Encourage children to practice writing "Mom" or their mother's name.
Motor skills:
- An obstacle course involving objects such as clothing. Children collect the items along the way for their "mother". You may also choose to ask them to put the clothing on.
- Play a game of "Mommy says" along the same lines as "Simon says".
- Act out several "mommy tasks". Children name them. You may add accessories to make guessing easier.
Sensory bin:
- Water table: the entire family washes dishes after a meal. Include dishes, towels, dishwashing liquid, etc.
- Water table: turn it into a bathtub with dolls, soap, and facecloths.
- Water table: use it to pretend you are doing laundry. Wash doll clothes and hang the items to dry using clothespins.
- Container filled with soil: like their mother, children will love pretending to plant flowers. Offer gloves, small shovels and rakes, etc.
Science:
- A flower for Mom: purchase a white carnation or daisy. Cut the stem in two, lengthwise. Place the stems in two different containers (two different colors of water). The flower will change color very quickly.
- Plant flower seeds...they make a perfect gift for Mother's Day!
Kitchen:
- Bake a cake together as a group, just like a family!
- Prepare cookies and wrap them in pretty paper. Another great gift for mothers or grandmothers.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
For Mother's Day, the educatall team suggests a week of special activities. You may follow the steps throughout the week or select only the activities you prefer. Enjoy discovering each child's mother along with your group. (Open thematic letter-Mother's Day) Print and deposit the letters in an envelope, a box, or in another special container each morning.
Suggestions for a Mother's Day mailbox:
- A large coffee pot wrapped in pink paper and decorated with flowers.
- A large envelope decorated with children's hand prints, flower stamps, hearts, etc.
- A box (copy paper) decorated by your group with Mother's Day colors.
Hello everyone,
My name is Grand-grand-grand-grand-mother. I am the oldest mother in the world. Did you know that it will be Mother's Day soon? Today, I thought I would pay you a visit to see how well you all know your mother. Throughout the week, I will suggest activities which will verify just how well you know her and to honour her (that means to thank her for everything she does for you each day). Your early childhood educator will give you instructions each day by reading the letters I send to her from my home. Have fun and see you at the Mother's Day party! Grand-grand-grand-grand-mother
Monday: Discover your mother's artistic talents
(Open poster - My mother's artistic talents) (Open My mother's artistic talents)
Hello my little friends,
Today, we will begin by discovering each mother's artistic talents. Do you know what they are? Do you have any ideas? There are several artistic talents: painting, sculpting, dancing, singing, drawing, photography, arts & crafts, etc. I asked your early childhood educator to prepare various workshops for you so that you can try a few of these talents yourself. See if you can guess which one is your mother's artistic talent. Tonight, you can ask her and talk about her artistic talent. You can share it with the group during circle time tomorrow. Your mother can even come add her artistic talent to the chart tomorrow morning.
Have fun creating!
Grand-grand-grand-grand-mother
Memo for the early childhood educator:
Organize artistic talent workshops.
- A modeling dough corner including cookie cutters and various activities (sculpting).
- A painting corner with easels (or paper taped to the wall), paint, and paintbrushes.
- A singing corner complete with toy microphones and a tape recorder. Practice your Mother's Day songs.
- A dancing corner with fast-paced music.
- A drawing corner with colourful paper and markers. You can also add stationery.
- An arts & crafts corner (or scrapbooking)
- etc.
Complete the memories sheet with children at the end of the day.
Tuesday: Discover your mother's profession
(Open poster - My mother's profession) (Open My mother's profession)
Good morning sweethearts,
Today, we will discover each mother's profession. Do you know what kind of work your mother does? I asked your early childhood educator to prepare workshops to help you explore different professions. You will see that several different professions exist.
Have fun!
Grand-grand-grand-grand-mother
Memo for the early childhood educator:
Organize role play activities which represent the mothers' professions. You may even ask mothers to provide various items or to come speak to the children about their work. Take pictures of the children when they are dressed up like their mother. Display the pictures within the daycare.
Complete the memories sheet with children at the end of the day.
Wednesday: Discover your mother's culinary preferences
(Open poster-My mother's culinary preferences) (Open My mother's culinary preferences)
Hello my little chefs,
Today, we will discover each mother's culinary preferences. Do you know what your mother's favourite recipe is? Do you know what her favourite food is? You will prepare a recipe with your early childhood educator today. It may not be your mother's favourite recipe, but it will be delicious! When you are done, your early childhood educator will show you several illustrations. Try to guess which one is your mother's favourite food. You will see that there are several different types of food...maybe even some you've never seen before!
At the end of the day, you will all know your mother a little better!
See you tomorrow!
Grand-grand-grand-grand-mother
Memo for the early childhood educator:
Bake cookies or a cake with your group. Talk about each child's favourite recipe and, of course, their mother's favourite recipe. Print several food illustrations (be sure to have illustrations of their mother's favourite foods) and use them for an association game. Encourage children to name the foods and identify their mother's favourite foods. Several food illustrations are available in the educatall club. Don't forget to taste your cookies or cake!
Complete the memories sheet with children at the end of the day.
Thursday: Discover your mother's favourite sport
(Open poster-My mother's favourite sport) (Open My mother's favourite sport)
Hello my little athletes,
Today we will be very active! You will discover each mother's favourite sport. Do you know which sport your mother enjoys? Have you ever participated in this sport with her? I asked your early childhood educator to set up several sport workshops outside. You will be given the chance to try each of them. This may help you guess which sport is your mother's favourite. Don't forget to drink a lot of water. Drinking water is very important when you are active!
Grand-grand-grand-grand-mother
Memo to the early childhood educator:
Prepare outdoor workshops which correspond to the sports mothers enjoy as per the answers provided in the questionnaire they completed. Have a nutritious snack and a large jug of water available. Children will want to drink plenty of water, just like real athletes! Enjoy a picnic with your group to make the day extra special! Complete the memories sheet with children at the end of the day.
Friday: Discover your mother's favourite song
(Open poster-My mother's favourite song) (Open My mother's favourite song)
Hello my darlings,
Today is the last day of our special week about mothers. Your early childhood educator will need your help to prepare this afternoon's party. Throughout the day, she will ask you to prepare various crafts to decorate the daycare and cover the table. She may even ask you to make a special hat for your mother. Organizing a party is a lot of work! When mothers arrive at the end of the day, your early childhood educator will play their favourite songs. Will you be able to recognize your mother's favourite song? It was a privilege to spend the week with you. I hope you had fun and that you were all able to discover a few things about your mother!
Grand-grand-grand-grand-mother
Memo for the early childhood educator:
Visit the complete Mother's Day theme for craft and decoration ideas you can prepare with your group. Play music (including the mothers' favourite songs) during your party preparations. Prepare a CD containing the mothers' favourite songs and play it during the party. Children can offer their Mother's Day cards or gifts at the party too. Prepare fruit punch and serve each mother a glass as they arrive. You may use the following recipe or your own.
Sparkling Ruby Punch
(Open creative recipe-Sparkling Ruby Punch)
Ingredients:
- 46 oz of pineapple juice
- 3 cups of grapefruit juice
- 1 pint of cranberry juice
- 6 x 7 oz bottles of 7 up
- 2 ice cube trays filled with 7 up
Steps:
- Pour 7 up into ice cube trays and freeze.
- Combine all liquids, except 7 up. Just prior to serving, slowly add 7 up and ice cubes.
Yield: Approximately 40 glasses of punch
Special Mother's Day breakfast
(Open perpetual calendar-Mother's Day Breakfast) Print, laminate, and display the date to ensure mothers have ample time to rearrange their schedules. We suggest you organize, with the help of your group, a special breakfast to honour mothers. It will be a busy week what with so many things to prepare to make the breakfast perfect! Children shall be cooks. They will begin by making their chef hats and decorating a large tablecloth as a group. Why not prepare a small show for the mothers to enjoy after breakfast?
Chef's hat
Each child decorates two strips of heavy white paper with sparkles and crayons. Measure the children's heads and staple the two strips together accordingly. Staple a small white garbage bag all the way around the contour of the hat. Children may wear their hat during breakfast.
A beautiful table
Presentation is important for such an important breakfast! You need a centerpiece, a nice tablecloth, and maybe hearts left over from Valentine's Day. You may also simply add flowers. Purchase a white paper tablecloth. Have children decorate it. Create various kinds of flowers (tissue paper, fabric, Kleenexes, plastic, etc.) and display them in a centerpiece by pricking them into a Styrofoam block or a ball of modeling dough. If you prefer, simply place them in a vase.
Preparation of the show
Set up a theatre area to present the show. A simple way to create a great décor is to paint a large piece of cardboard (an appliance box) green. Punch small holes and insert flowers made by the children in your group. Children may stand in front of this background to recite a poem or sing a song. At the end of the recital, children can pick flowers off the décor to make a bouquet for their mother. Adding a small kiss on the cheek will steal the show for sure! For costumes, children can make flower hats and glasses. (Open flower hat) and (Open flower glasses) Practice your show every day. Practice makes perfect!
Poem suggestion:
Mommy you're special
Mommy you're nice
For all you do
I love you
Activity ideas for the breakfast
Hunt and seek-My child
A mother sits, blindfolded. Children take turns standing in front of the mother who tries to recognize her own child by touching children's faces.
Menu ideas
Try to involve children as much as possible.
Fruit brochettes
Cut a variety of fruit. Set them on a plate. Children slide the pieces onto skewers for their mother.
Crêpes Suzette
Purchase crêpes, whipped cream, and berries. Children decorate their mother's crêpe.
A necklace for Mommy
Each child makes a necklace for his mother. Provide a bowl of "Froot Loops" cereal. Children thread them onto a piece of string liquorice.
TRANSITION ACTIVITIES
This is my spot
(Open Game-This is my spot-Mother's Day) Print two copies of each illustration. Deposit one illustration on the table and cover it with Mac-Tac. Place the other copy in a bag. Children take turns picking an illustration to determine their spot at the table for the day. You can also use them to determine naptime spots or their place in the task train.
My Mother's Day path
(Open My Mother's Day path) Print, laminate, and deposit the illustrations on the floor to create a path which leads to different locations within the daycare. The path may lead to areas children visit frequently or be used to divide various workshops.
Pretend high-heeled shoes
Ask children to walk on tiptoe...as if they were wearing high-heeled shoes.
Clean hands bin
Fill a bin with various toys related to the theme. Children can play with the toys once they have washed their hands. The only rule: their hands must be clean to play with the toys in this bin.
ACTIVITIES FOR BABIES
"I love Mom" mobile
(Open craft-heart shape) Trace and cut various sizes of hearts. Decorate them with sparkles, lace, ribbon, cotton balls, confetti, etc. Glue the hearts back to back on either side of a piece of ribbon or string. Glue pictures of mothers and babies on the hearts. Hang from the ceiling.
Flowers, flowers, and more flowers
Fill a large bin with fabric flowers. Simply remove the flowers from the stem, keeping only the flowers and leaves. Let babies explore the textures and colors.
Soft like Mom
Prepare a bin filled with different types of fabric. Babies will appreciate touching and exploring the different textures...from very soft to rather rough.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MOTOR SKILLS
Mommy hunt
Children search within the daycare for objects which remind them of their mother. Prior to the activity, hide a scarf, lipstick, glasses, necklaces, sweaters, hats, high-heeled shoes, etc.
Mommy says...
This game is played like "Simon says". Give children instructions (just like their mothers do). If you say, "Mommy says..." at the beginning of the sentence they must do whatever it is you asked them to do. You may, for example, ask them to brush their teeth, go to sleep, eat, etc.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
My mother
Have children draw their mother using sidewalk chalk. When the mothers arrive at the end of the day, invite them to guess which portrait their child made.
Baby walk
Collect as many toy strollers as possible and bring them outside so that children can take their dolls for a walk.
Clothesline
Hang your jumping ropes so they look like clotheslines. Provide a container filled with facecloths and doll clothing. Children will love hanging them on the clothesline!
MUSICAL AND RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES
Mommy's voice
Invite mothers to record a short message for their child. Children must guess who the voices belong to.
Mommy, you are invited
Play music as children arrive in the morning (or leave in the afternoon). Invite mothers to dance with you for a few minutes.
ACTIVITIES TO ENCOURAGE SELF-ESTEEM
The good job flower
(Open Good job flower) Print and laminate. Print one petal for each child in your group. You may have children color their petal, add a picture of each child, or have children choose a sticker to decorate their petal. Throughout the day, use a dry-erase marker to write a nice gesture or a kind act on each child's petal. Even the smallest positive actions will do! During the afternoon snack, read them for the group and applaud what a good job they did!
ACTIVITIES WHICH TEACH SOCIAL ABILITIES
Mommy can you help me?
Children remove their socks. One child plays the role of the mother. He or she must put the socks on all the children! This is the perfect occasion for foot massages. Children may use their hands or tennis balls.
COGNITIVE ACTIVITIES
Educa-duo-Mother's Day
(Open educa-duo-Mother's Day) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must draw a line to join the two items which go together.
Educ-trace-Mother's Day
(Open educ-trace-Mother's Day) Print for each child. Children must trace the lines using the correct colors. When they reach the end of each line, they may also color the object with the corresponding color.
Mother's Day Mandalas
(Open mandalas-Mother's Day) Print for each child. Children color the mandala designs.
Educ-differences-Mother's Day
(Open educ-differences-Mother's Day) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must identify the differences between the two illustrations and circle them with a dry-erase marker.
Educ-shadows-Mother's Day
(Open educ-shadows-Mother's Day) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must draw a line to the shadow which corresponds to each illustration using a dry-erase marker.
Educ-math-Mother's Day
(Open educ-math-Mother's Day) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must count the objects in each rectangle and circle the corresponding number.
Where is my mommy?
(Open association game-Mother's Day) Print and laminate the pages. Children associate each mother to the correct baby. Variation: You may choose to add magnets to the back to give the game a different dimension.
Mommy by number
(Open Mommy by number) Print for each child. Children must follow the color code to complete the picture.
Magnifying glass game-Mother's Day
(Open magnifying glass game-Mother's Day) Print and laminate the board game and the illustrations. Cut them out and store them in a box or in a plastic bag. Children pick an illustration and search for it on the board game, using a magnifying glass. Once they have found a match, they deposit the illustration in the correct square, on the board game.
Hunt and seek-Mother's Day
(Open hunt and seek-Mother's Day) Print and laminate. Children pick a card and search for the item in the bigger picture.
Educ-same and different-Mother's Day
(Open educ-same and different-Mother's Day) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must circle the illustration which is different in each row.
Educ-big and small-Mother's Day
(Open educ-big and small-Mother's Day) Print for each child. Ask children to color the mothers. Have them circle the largest illustration with a red marker and the smallest one with a blue marker.
Educ-pattern-Mother's Day
(Open educ-pattern-Mother's Day) Print and laminate. Add Velcro to the back of the cards. Children must correctly place the cards to complete the patterns.
Guess who?
Ask mothers to provide pictures of them when they were small. Ask children to guess which picture is their mother's. Display them on a large piece of cardboard so parents can try to guess too!
ACTIVITIES INVOLVING PARENTS
Special invitation
(Open invitation-Mother's Day) Print. Invite mothers (and grandmothers) for a cocktail at the end of the day. Serve coffee and sweets you have prepared with your group. Prepare a short video of children speaking about what they like most about their mother. Present the video during the cocktail.
Calling Mom
Have each child surprise his mother with a phone call at work or a message left on the answering machine at home.
Surprise picture
(Open picture frame-Mother's Day) Take a picture of each child with his father, making sure that the mothers do not know about it. Have children decorate a frame and glue the picture inside.
Genealogical tree
(Open genealogical tree) Print for each child. Children complete their tree at home with their mother. Invite children to present their genealogical tree to their friends.
Grandmother
Recruit a few of the children's grandmothers to come spend some time at the daycare. They can read a story, show children how to knit, talk to the children about when they were young, etc.
MORAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Laundry
Deposit a laundry basket filled with clean towels and socks on the floor. Have children fold the clothes.
Bath time
Let children wash dolls in a small bathtub or water table. When they are done, they can dress the dolls and put them to bed.
Mommy takes the hurt away
Provide children with several small bandages. They can use them to take care of the dolls' cuts and scrapes.
Mommy is beautiful
Add necklaces, dresses, purses, high-heeled shoes, and scarves to your dress-up bin. You may even include makeup and hair accessories.
Mommy at the supermarket
Collect empty food packages. Deposit them throughout the daycare. Give each child a grocery bag and have them pretend they are grocery shopping.
Mommy rocks the baby
Give each child a doll or stuffed animal. To the sound of music, have them rock their baby. Variation: Rock each child.
Mommy says
Play a game of "Simon says" but use "Mommy says" instead. Use actions which are normally done by mothers such as: go to sleep, brush your teeth, wash your hands, etc. If you don't say "Mommy says" first, children must remain still.
My mommy's name is...
Call out several names. When a child hears his mother's name, he must run to a designated area.
I am cooking
Provide plastic food items, dishes, and utensils in your kitchen area. Children take turns cooking. The other children can ask the child playing the role of the mother to prepare specific meals.
Soft voice
Make an audio cassette (tape recorder) or CD (computer and microphone) of children singing a few songs or saying kind words. Wrap for the perfect gift!
Mommy day
Invite children to bring an object belonging to their mother to the daycare. It could be a necklace, a scarf, a hat, etc. Children will love to wear it throughout the day.
Box of kisses
(Open model-Box of kisses) Print for each child. Children decorate their box. When they are done, encourage them to open the box and add a ton of kisses. Tell them to hurry up and close the box so the kisses don't fly away! At the end of the day, children can give their box of kisses to their mother. Variation: A small cardboard box, a small medicine bottle, or a container for a roll of film could also do just fine!
Flower of love
Draw a large daisy for each child and cut it out. If children are old enough, have them cut their daisy. Ask each child to tell you kind words they would like to tell their mother. Write them on the petals.
Message in a bottle
Decorate a plastic bottle (water bottle for example) with paint, colourful paper, sparkles... Roll up a drawing the child made and insert it in the bottle. Place the bottles in a large container filled with water. At the end of the week, invite each mother to pick a bottle, open it, and guess if the drawing was done by her child or not. If not, she places the drawing back in the bottle and picks another one until she finds the correct drawing.
EARLY SCIENCE-EXPLORATION-MANIPULATION
Mom's kitchen
Your modeling dough workshop becomes a kitchen. Children pretend to prepare delicious meals just like their mother does. Be sure to provide kitchen utensils, cake pans, cookie cutters, etc.
Washing dishes
Set up a water table or a container filled with water. Add sponges and soap bubbles. Let children wash the plastic dishes from your kitchen area.
Cleaning
Children love cleaning! Provide sponges, a feather duster, wet towels, etc. Take advantage of this activity to disinfect toys with help from your group.
A flower for Mom
Globule wonders...
How do flowers drink?
FLOWERS AND WATER
Hypotheses:
Ask children how flowers absorb rain. Through their petals? Stems? Leaves?
Material:
- A few white flowers (daisies or other kind)
- A few celery sticks with leaves attached
- Food colouring (at least two colors)
- A few small glasses
Manipulations:
- Pour water into a glass until it is ¾ full.
- Add a few drops of food colouring and stir well.
- Deposit a flower in the glass.
- Repeat using other colours. You can use the celery sticks too.
- You have to wait several minutes before beginning to see the result of this experiment. Be patient!
- Leave the flowers in the food colouring overnight for best results.
Explanations:
Flowers drink water starting from their lowest extremity. The water slowly travels upwards through tiny pipes in the stem. Your water was colourful, and now you have multicoloured flowers! The principle is the same for all types of plants. Trees get water from the ground through their roots. The water travels up to the highest leaves!
CULINARY ACTIVITIES
Creative recipe-Personalized lip balm (Open creative recipe-Personalized lip balm)
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable shortening
- 1 tablespoon of powdered juice (any flavour)
- 1 small plastic container with a lid (like the ones for rolls of 35 mm film)
Steps:
- Combine shortening and powder in a small microwavable bowl.
- Melt the mixture in a microwave oven for approximately 30 seconds (mixture must be liquid).
- Pour the mixture into the small plastic container.
- Place the container in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes or until set.
- Use like store-bought lip balm.
Cookies in a jar gift
(Open recipe-Cookies in a jar gift) Print.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Yields: approximately 30 cookies
Ingredients:
- 375 mL (1 ½ cup) all-purpose flour, unbleached
- 7.5 mL (1 ½ tsp) of baking powder
- 1 mL (¼ tsp) of salt
- 250 mL (1 cup) brown sugar
- 140 g (5 oz) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 250 mL (1 cup) of quick oats
Preparation:
- Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in the bottom of a 4-cup jar. Deposit brown sugar on top and press gently. Continue with the chocolate and end with the oats. You should have four separate layers. Close the jar. (Open gift tag-cookies) Print. Include the gift tag which explains how to make the cookies.
Sweet treat
Every day, prepare a sweet treat with your group: cookies shaped like hearts, small muffins decorated with icing, small chocolates, etc.
A special snack
Ask each mother to prepare something special for the group's snack. Children will be very proud to share their mother's homemade treat with their friends.
A necklace for Mom
Prepare a salt dough recipe. Make heart shapes with the dough. Use a drinking straw to punch a hole at the top of the heart. Once the dough is cooked and cooled, let children paint the heart. Thread a string or ribbon through the hole. Variation: You may also make a necklace using painted pasta.
A ring for Mom
Prepare dough using this recipe:
Mix 2 cups of flour, ½ cup of salt, and ¾ cup of water until smooth. Let children play with the dough for a short period of time. To make a ring, roll a piece of dough around each child's finger (or your own), making sure it is big enough. Flatten the top so you can attach a decorative jewel using hot glue once the ring is cooked. Use a piece of aluminum paper to fill the hole and bake at 250⁰F. It may take over an hour for the ring to be completely cooked. Have children paint their ring. Add a coat of varnish once the paint is dry.
ARTS & CRAFTS
My mom
(Open My mom) Print for each child. Ask children to cut the pieces and color them. Assemble them using fasteners where indicated. You may add a picture of each child's mother to replace the face.
My mother's portrait
Ask each child to draw his mother. To help them, ask mothers to provide a picture. Help children notice the various features such as hair color, eyes, shape of the face, etc. Glue the portrait onto a thick cardboard rectangle. Have children decorate the frame with various arts & crafts materials. Hang the portraits on the wall.
Secret message
Children fill an empty toilet paper roll with messages for their mother. We have prepared a few for you. (Open memo-Mother's Day) You may also slide candy pieces inside. Wrap the roll with tissue paper and decorate. Tie each end with ribbon. Children can give one to their mother every day of the week.
Jewellery for Mom
(Open jewel models) Print. Cut a 2 cm strip of colourful construction paper. Using glue, overlap the jewels on the strip, alternating colors.
A mom puppet
Draw a face on construction paper and glue it onto the round tip of a plastic spoon. Use fabric or paper to make clothing for the puppet.
MOTHER'S DAY CRAFT IDEAS
Placemat
Have children draw on a large sheet of paper. Encourage them to draw their mother and activities they enjoy doing with her. Laminate for extra durability.
Candleholder just for Mom
Purchase one glass per child. Cognac glasses are perfect. Ask children to cover the outside of their glass with pastel-coloured tissue paper and Mod Podge. Once dry, it will sparkle and look like real stained glass. Insert a tea-light and wrap.
Morning thought
Purchase one white cup per child (and the matching saucer). Let children paint them with porcelain paint. Be sure to offer a single color at a time. Let one color dry before adding a new one to avoid colors mixing together. Ask children to describe how much they love their mother. Add their words to the cup or saucer. Bake in the oven to seal the paint (follow manufacturer's instructions). Mothers' mornings will be filled with happy thoughts.
Jewellery box
Purchase small, inexpensive jewellery boxes, one per child. There are several different types to choose from: cardboard, wood, plastic, etc. Let children paint their jewellery box and decorate it with precious gems. They will be so proud to give their mother their jewellery box!
Necklace
Collect beads of all kinds. Let children make a necklace or bracelet for their mother. Help them wrap their creation in tissue paper and add ribbon.
Personalized tissue box
Gently open the two ends of a tissue box (so that the box lies flat). Remove the bottom. Use glue to put the box back together inside out (design on the inside). Provide a variety of arts & crafts material and let children decorate their box for their mom. To use, simply slide over another tissue box.
Mother's Day Bookmark
(Open Mother's Day bookmark) Print. Give each child a bookmark. Let them color their bookmark. Add a picture of the child and laminate. Mothers will love this practical gift.
Bookmark
(Open models-bookmarks) Print for each child. Use stamp pads, poster paint, and markers. Let children add color to their fingertip and use their prints to color the center of the flower and the petals. Let dry and laminate.
Garden of kind words
Use small pieces of cardboard in different colors (approximately 10 cm wide x 4 cm high). The quantity of cardboard needed depends on children's inspiration. Have children name kind words and write them on the pieces of cardboard (one word per piece). Glue a wooden skewer or pipe cleaner to each piece of cardboard. Deposit a foam block in the bottom of a flower pot and plant the kind words in the foam.
A special bouquet
Purchase Styrofoam shapes (circle, heart, etc.) or cut Styrofoam to make your own original shapes. Decorate them with paint or arts & crafts material (tissue paper, sparkles, felt, etc.) Use wooden skewers, pieces of wood, or real branches to represent stems for your Styrofoam shapes. Your flowers are ready! Deposit a foam block in the bottom of a flower pot and plant your flowers. Wrap this very special bouquet in cellophane paper.
Matching placemat and napkin
Provide stamps with pretty Mother's Day designs (flowers, butterflies, etc.) Give each child one sheet of white paper. Cut 5 cm off of each side. Encourage children to use the stamps to create a scene. Glue the white paper in the center of a sheet of construction paper. This will create a colourful border. Laminate the placemat to ensure it is reusable and washable. Next, give children white napkins. Ask them to reproduce the same designs on their napkin so the two will match.
Creative recipe-Homemade bath salts
(Open creative recipe-Homemade bath salts)
Ingredients:
- 1 kilogram Epsom salt
- A few drops of food coloring
- A few drops of essential oils
Steps:
- Combine salt and food coloring in a large bowl. Add food coloring one drop at a time and mix well. Adding the food coloring gradually will make obtaining the desired color easier.
- Spread the colored salts in a large tray and let dry for 24 hours.
- Add a few drops of essential oils to scent your salts and mix well.
- Pour into transparent airtight bottles and let rest for at least a week before using to guarantee the scent really penetrates the salts.
- This is a great idea for a Mother's Day or Christmas gift!
Pretty decoration
Purchase transparent plastic containers with a cork, one per child. Ask children to grate coloured chalk, one color at a time, over paper. Once the chalk is grated, mix it with salt. Pour the mixture into the transparent container. Repeat the operation with other colors until the container is full. Seal with the cork. This makes a beautiful decoration.
Surprise flower
(Open Surprise flower) Print and cut out. Glue each flower onto a drinking straw and place them inside a piece of polyester to make a bouquet. Mothers can use a surprise flower whenever they like.
Gift certificates
(Open gift certificates-Mother's Day) Print, cut out, and place the gift certificates inside envelopes. Give each mother one gift certificate.
Scented candle
Cut the bottom off of a 2-litre milk container. Place a candlewick in the center. Melt paraffin wax, adding a few drops of essential oil. Pour the wax into the container and set aside. Make sure the wick remains in the center. Once the wax has set, remove the container. You will have a scented candle block.
Flowers for mother
Make your own flowers. You will need tissue paper, construction paper, and various supports for the stems (drinking straws, skewers, paper towel rolls, etc.) Provide plenty of recycled material for children to use to make their flowers.
A little garden for Mom
Purchase a large quantity of dried flowers. Collect branches, pinecones, etc. Give each child a foam block they can use to create a Mother's Day gift.
A masterpiece for Mom
Have children draw or paint a masterpiece for their mother. (Open frame model) Print, trace onto heavy cardboard, cut out, and decorate the frame. Use it to display the child's drawing or painting.
Prints
This is a Mother's Day ritual! Make hand prints or footprints by pressing children's toes or fingers into plaster, salt dough or finger paint. Make a hole at the top so mothers can hang their keepsake. Write the child's name and age at the bottom so the memory is precise. Once dry, children can paint their prints.
Sunflower pin holder
Cover a yogurt container with green felt. Cut petals out of yellow felt and glue them inside, all around the contour of the container. Cover a Styrofoam ball with brown felt and secure it with a rubber band. Place the ball inside the container. Mothers will no longer lose their sewing pins and needles. They will always be on her sunflower!
Coaster
Glue a picture (or drawing) of each child on a square piece of cork using Mod Podge. When children are done, apply a coat of varnish.
A small packet for Mom
Give each child a piece of an old lace curtain. Fill it with pot-pourri and tie it with a knot. Add pretty ribbon.
Colourful bouquet
Make different flower shapes using salt dough. You can let children make their own shapes or provide small moulds if you wish. Use a small stick to poke a hole in each shape. Place the shapes in the oven or let them air dry, depending on the salt dough recipe you used. Once the shapes are ready, paint them. Use ribbon to tie the stems together.
IDEAS FOR MOTHER'S DAY CARDS
Clay card
Spread clay on the table using a rolling pin. Invite children to cut shapes using cookie cutters. Have them make a small hole at the top of each shape using a drinking straw. Let dry. Paint the shapes. Fold a piece of construction paper in two. On the front of the card, in the centre, make a tiny hole and hang the shape using ribbon. Write "Happy Mother's Day" on the card. Inside, write the message each child wants to offer his mother.
Flower card
(Open models-flowers) Have children cut flowers. They must decorate or color them. Fold a piece of construction paper in two to make a card. Glue the flowers on the front of the card. Add drinking straws to represent the stems.
A card for Mom
Provide construction paper, tissue paper, felt, and lace. Let children make their Mother's Day cards as they wish.
A generation card
Ask each child to bring a picture of himself, his mother, his grandmothers, and great grandmothers, if possible. Glue the pictures on the front of a card. Cover them with Mac-Tac. Write a message inside the card or use one of our printable greetings. (Open Printable greetings)
Invitation
Make original invitations for your Mother's Day breakfast and mail them.
A special letter
Help children prepare beautiful postcards for their mother. Mail them to children's homes. What a pleasant surprise mothers will have in their mailbox!
Best Mommy Diploma
Make a card resembling a diploma. (Open Best Mommy Diploma) Have children draw their fondest memory involving their mother or simply have them draw what they love most about their mother: she makes the best spaghetti, she tells the best stories, she sings the best songs, she gives the best hugs... They can verbalize their thoughts for you to write them on the diplomas. The diplomas may be handed out at the Mother's Day breakfast.
Coloring pages-Mother's Day
(Open coloring pages theme-Mother's Day) Print for each child.
SCRAPBOOK-MOTHER'S DAY
(Open scrapbook-My mom) Print for each child. Let children complete the page and add it to their scrapbook.
SONGS & RHYMES
Happy Mother's Day
by: Patricia Morrison
sung to: Are you sleeping?
I love you mom, I love you mom
I wish you, I wish you
A happy Mother's Day, a happy Mother's Day
I love you, I love you
Have nice day!
Educatall team
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