Universal Children's Day

AREA SETUP
Print a variety of posters and use them to decorate the walls of your daycare. (Open thematic poster-Universal Children's Day)

Stickers-Universal Children's Day
(Open stickers-Universal Children's Day) Print the illustrations on adhesive paper and use them to create original stickers for your group.

Educa-theme-Universal Children's Day
(Open educa-theme-Universal Children's Day) Print and laminate the different elements representing the theme. Use them to present the theme to your group (and their parents) while decorating your daycare.

Educa-decorate-Universal Children's Day
(Open educa-decorate-Universal Children's Day) Print, laminate, and cut out the illustrations. Use them to decorate your walls and set the mood for the theme.

Garland-Universal Children's Day
(Open models-Universal Children's Day) Print and let children decorate the garland elements. Cut out the items and use them to create a garland that can be hung near your daycare entrance or within your daycare.

Children's wall
Create a wall to display funny quotes and sentences used by the children in your group. Add anecdotes and expressions throughout the theme. Write the date, the child's age, and a brief description of each situation. Parents will love looking at any new additions to the wall at the end of each day.

Children's décor
Collect several pictures of the children in your group and display them throughout the daycare. You may also ask parents to provide baby pictures. Children (and parents) will have fun trying to associate each picture to the correct child. If you wish, add pictures of yourself and the other early childhood educators to see if children will recognize you.

Children's walk of fame
(Open model-star) Print and set a star on the floor for each child. Make sure your walk of fame is in an area where children and parents are sure to see it. If you wish, use the stars to identify children's artwork. You could, for example, hang everything on an indoor clothesline.

For November's Universal Children's Day
Hang a large piece of paper in a hallway and invite parents to write a short message for their child. You could also set up a special mail system to celebrate this very special day. Organize a special breakfast for the children in your group and have parents join you. Let children bring a toy or item from home to daycare.

Star of the day
Cut a large star shape out of yellow cardboard (or a model of your group's logo) and display it in your daycare entrance. Every morning, use the star to display a child's picture. Determine a few privileges and use pictograms to represent them. Children will anticipate their turn to be the star of the day. Variation: (Open poster-star of the day) Print and add a picture of the star of the day every morning.

SPECIAL TOOL
(Open poster-Universal Children's Day) Print and display. This tool was created in response to a special request received.

CIRCLE TIME
Animated discussion-Universal Children's Day
(Open picture game-Universal Children's Day) Print and laminate the pictures in the format you prefer. Use them to spark a conversation with your group and ask children questions about their daily life.

Celebrating children
Ask each child to bring a small bag or box containing his favorite objects as well as pictures of his family members or other people who are dear to him. Give each child the opportunity to share the contents of his bag or box with the group. Inform parents that the pictures will not be returned since they will be used for various crafts and projects. You may choose to select one or two child/children to present his/their items each day. One could share the contents of his box or bag during circle time and the second child could share his items with the group after naptime. If you wish, invite the parents of the child who is presenting his items to be present.

Flipogram-Universal Children's Day
(Open picture game-Universal Children's Day) Print and laminate the pictures in the format you prefer. Use a hole-punch to make a hole in the upper right and left corner of each picture. Stack the pictures and insert a ring through each set of holes. The flipogram is easy to manipulate. Simply show children how they can lift a picture and flip it under the stack. Name each item with your group. Use the flipogram to encourage children to talk during circle time and to ask them questions about the theme.

PICTURE GAME
The pictures may be used as a memory game or to spark a conversation with the group. Use them to decorate the daycare or a specific thematic corner.
(Open picture game-Universal Children's Day) Print, laminate, and store in a "Ziploc" bag or in your thematic bins.

Memory game-Universal Children's Day
(Open picture game-Universal Children's Day) Print the pictures twice and use them for a memory game.

ACTIVITY SHEETS
Activity sheets are provided for each theme. Print and follow instructions. (Open activity sheets-Universal Children's Day)

Creating your own activity binder
Laminate several activity sheets and writing activities and arrange them in a binder along with dry-erase markers. Leave the binder in your writing area and let children complete the pages as they wish. At the end of the day, simply wipe off their work so the activity binder can be reused.

Educa-spots-Universal Children's Day
(Open educa-spots-Universal Children's Day) Print for each child. Use bingo markers to add color inside the circles. If you don't have bingo markers, stickers or cereal can also be used.

Writing activities-C like child
(Open writing activities-C like child) Print for each child or laminate for use with a dry-erase marker.

Tracing words-Universal Children's Day
(Open word flashcards-Universal Children's Day) (Open giant word flashcards-Universal Children's Day) Print several word flashcards. Glue them on pieces of paper, laminate them, and arrange them in a binder. Show children how they can trace the words using dry-erase markers. If you wish, leave room under each word so children can try to write the words without tracing the letters.

Stationery-Universal Children's Day
(Open stationery-Universal Children's Day) Print. Use the stationery to communicate with parents, in your writing area, or to identify your thematic bins.

Educa-nuudles-Universal Children's Day
(Open educa-nuudles-Universal Children's Day) Print for each child. Have children color the sheet and use Magic Nuudles to give it a three-dimensional look. Variation: You don't have Magic Nuudles? Have children fill the spaces designed for Magic Nuudles with bingo markers or stickers. To order Magic Nuudles:

THEMATIC DAY-UNIVERSAL CHILDREN'S DAY
Every day, select a child who will be your star of the day. Grant him various privileges throughout the day (or half-day). Inform the group and parents so that everyone knows who the star of the day is throughout the theme.

Perpetual calendar
(Open perpetual calendar-Thematic day-Universal Children's Day) Print and display.

Schedule
(Open schedule-Thematic day-Universal Children's Day) Print. Complete the schedule by listing all planned activities and display it where parents can see it.

Setup
(Open thematic poster-Thematic day-Universal Children's Day) Print and laminate. Use the poster to decorate your daycare.

Greeting
Encourage the star of the day to wear a special outfit to come to daycare. For example, the child's parents can simply let him wear whatever he wishes. Crown the star of the day so that everyone knows who the star of the day is. Present the privileges the star of the day may enjoy each day. For example, he can request countless standing ovations or request you sing his favorite song.

Activities
Make a special crown and cereal necklace that can be worn by the star of the day. Have each child prepare a special greeting card for the star of the day. Throughout the day, whenever the star of the day would like a standing ovation, the other children stop what they are doing to clap for him.

Snacks/lunch
The star of the day gets to choose what he would like to eat for lunch. Prepare a special cake for dessert.

Souvenir photo-Thematic day-Universal Children's Day
(Open picture frames-Thematic day-Universal Children's Day) Print and use the frames to display pictures of your thematic day within your daycare or to send a souvenir home with children.

LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES

The flashcards may be used during circle time to spark a conversation with the group or in your reading and writing area. They may also be used to identify your thematic bins. (Open word flashcards-Universal Children's Day) (Open giant word flashcards-Universal Children's Day) child, privilege, surprise, to play, family, love, celebration, to laugh, November, the world, to protect, to listen

Let's chat
(Open word flashcards-Universal Children's Day) (Open giant word flashcards-Universal Children's Day) Print and laminate the word flashcards. Have each child pick a word and present it to the group (ex. celebration). Ask them questions to see what they know about the theme.

Reinvented scrabble
(Open word flashcards-Universal Children's Day) (Open giant word flashcards-Universal Children's Day) Print many copies of the word flashcards and encourage children to use scrabble tiles to write the words. Manipulating the small tiles represents a great fine motor skill exercise. At the same time, children will notice which letters make up the different words.

Word association-Universal Children's Day
(Open word flashcards-Universal Children's Day) (Open giant word flashcards-Universal Children's Day) Print two copies of several different word flashcards. On a large piece of cardboard, stick one copy of each flashcard vertically to create a word column. Cut the second copy of each word flashcard so you have the word on one side and the illustration on the other side. Attach Velcro behind each part as well as to the right of the uncut flashcards (on the cardboard). Arrange the cut flashcards on the table and encourage children to look at your flashcard board to identify a matching word and illustration. When they succeed, they may stick them next to the corresponding flashcard, on your board. This exercise will help children associate words with pictures.

Word tree-Universal Children's Day
(Open word flashcards-Universal Children's Day) (Open giant word flashcards- Universal Children's Day) Print several word flashcards. Use a hole-punch to make a hole at the top of each flashcard. Thread a ribbon through each hole and tie a knot. Bring the word flashcards outside and encourage children to use them to decorate a tree. Every time a child adds a flashcard, invite him/her to "read" the corresponding word. Children will be happy to repeat this activity many times. Eventually, they will learn to recognize the words.

Word clothesline
(Open word flashcards-Universal Children's Day) (Open giant word flashcards-Universal Children's Day) Print two copies of several word flashcards. Hang one copy of each word on an indoor clothesline with colourful clothespins. Arrange the copies in a pile on a table. Let children take turns picking a word and finding the matching word on the clothesline. When they find a match, they can place the flashcard on top of the one that was already hanging on the clothesline. Help younger children manipulate the clothespins if necessary.

Word race
(Open word flashcards-Universal Children's Day) (Open giant word flashcards-Universal Children's Day) Print several word flashcards and hide them throughout your daycare or yard. Divide your group into two teams. When you give them the signal, children must search for the flashcards for a pre-determined period, for example three minutes. When the time is up, children must be able to "read" their flashcards to earn a point for their team. If they are unable to find the correct word, the other team can earn the point if they succeed.

Let children lead
Plan a variety of activities that will provide children with the opportunity to express themselves and make decisions. Upon their arrival in the morning, ask them what they think about the day's schedule. Before they leave at the end of the day, encourage them to share their comments about how the day unfolded.

ROUTINES AND TRANSITIONS

I am the chief
Throughout the theme, ask children to take turns deciding how you will move from one activity to the next: like a mouse, like a giant, while singing, etc.

My transition box
Ask parents to prepare a special transition box with their child. They can simply decorate a shoebox (or a plastic container for wipes). Write each child's name on his transition box and store the boxes with children's blankets. Children will like exploring the contents of their transition box before naptime, after lunch, or in the cloakroom, while they are waiting for others to finish getting dressed.

This is my spot
Photograph each child and stick the printed pictures on a table with adhesive paper to identify each child's place. After a few days, have children change places by finding fun ways to pair them with different partners. You can, for example, pick pairs of names, hide their pictures under a tablecloth and ask children to find their spot, etc.

BABIES AND TODDLERS

That's me!
Display pictures of the children in your group throughout your daycare. They will enjoy recognizing themselves as they move around during the theme. Accompany children and encourage them to look at the pictures. Name the child in each photograph.

My family
Ask parents to provide pictures of each of their child's family members (inform them that the pictures will not be returned). Use the pictures to create a board representing each family. Display the boards on the floor within your daycare. Seal them with adhesive paper to protect the pictures.

I have two eyes to see
Hold a small mirror in front of each child to provide them with the opportunity to see their reflection. Point to the different parts of each child's face as you name them. Encourage children to point to the different parts too. This activity can be done during transitions.

Mr. Potato Head
Let children manipulate the different parts and try to insert them in the right places.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MOTOR SKILLS

String activities-Universal Children's Day
(Open string activities-Universal Children's Day) Print for each child. Have children apply white glue along the outline of each shape and then position a colourful string or thread on the lines.

Children everywhere
Collect several pictures and illustrations involving children and display them throughout your daycare. Make use of the walls, the cupboards, and even the floor. Children will enjoy discovering them as they play.

Who am I?
Ask children to form a circle. Secretly select a child and determine different characteristics that can be used to describe him so that he is the only one left standing at the end of the game. For example, you may say, "If you are a girl, sit down. If you are a boy, continue to stand. If you have blond hair, sit down. If you have brown hair continue to stand."

Bowl-a-thon
You will need empty plastic soda bottles. Glue the picture of a child on each one to create a personalized bowling game. Provide a large ball that children can roll towards the bowling pins to make as many bowling pins fall as possible.

Friendship chains
Photograph each child in your group. Print the pictures and cut each one in half. Laminate the pictures. Hide half of each picture within the daycare. Give the other half of each picture to the child it represents. Children must search for the missing halves. When they find a picture, they must join hands with the child it represents. The longest chain wins!

Parachute
Parachute games require a great deal of collaboration to work. You will find many parachute games here: https://www.educatall.com/page/922/The-parachute-A-complete-activity.html.

Aerobics

Every morning, begin the day with an aerobics session. Let the star of the day lead the exercises. Everyone will have a great deal of fun. As an added bonus, this is a great way to ensure children are active daily.

Who is missing?
To the sound of music, encourage children to move around the daycare. When the music stops, they must lie down on the floor and hide their eyes with their hands. Set a blanket (or your parachute) over a child. When you give the signal, the others must identify the child who has disappeared under the blanket.

Body part path
(Open my body part path) Print, cut out, and laminate the pictures representing the different body parts. Set them here and there throughout an obstacle course. To the sound of music, children must complete the course, collecting a body part picture as they move along. At the end of the course, they must stick the body part they collected on a silhouette displayed on a wall using adhesive putty.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

My home
Go for a walk with your group, passing in front of each child's home (if possible). For those who live too far away, select a store or business they are familiar with or, if you prefer, the home of someone they know well such as their grandparents. Children will be happy to show their home or a building they are familiar with to their friends.

My clothes
Before going outside with your group, set all their clothing items in a pile, in the centre of your daycare. They must take turns finding a clothing item that belongs to them. Once they have found all their items, invite them to get dressed.

I want to play...
Invite the star of the day to select an activity that he may lead for the group or a game the group can play together. If you prefer (and if you don't foresee conflicts), you may also let the child pick one or two friends he may enjoy his chosen activity with.

ACTIVITIES INVOLVING PARENTS

My genealogical tree
(Open genealogical tree) Print for each child. Send a copy home with each child and encourage parents to complete the genealogical tree with their child. Invite them to be creative and transform the basic tree model to represent their family in a unique way. Let each child present his genealogical tree to the group. Display the trees on a wall at the end of the activity.

Wall of fame
Invite parents, brothers, and sisters of the children in your group to press their hands in colourful poster paint and add their handprints to a large banner to represent a "wall of fame". Let children decorate the banner with stars and other arts & crafts accessories.

COGNITIVE ACTIVITIES

Educ-ascending-descending-Universal Children's Day
(Open educ-ascending-descending-Universal Children's Day) Print and laminate the cards. Children must place identical cards in ascending or descending order.

Educ-math-Universal Children's Day
(Open educ-math-Universal Children's Day) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must count the items in each rectangle and circle the correct number.

Hunt and seek-Universal Children's Day
(Open hunt and seek-Universal Children's Day) Print and laminate. Children pick a card and search for the item in the scene.

Personalized memory game
Print two pictures of each child in your group. Glue them on heavy cardboard to create a unique memory game.

Educ-same and different
(Open educ-same and different-Star of the day) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must circle the illustration that is different in each row.

Educ-big and small-Star of the day
(Open educ-big and small-Star of the day) Print and laminate the game. Children must place the cards in the correct order, from smallest to biggest. Use Velcro or adhesive putty to stick the cards in the squares.

Educ-association-Star of the day
(Open educ-association-Star of the day) Print and arrange the pages in a file folder. Children must associate the cards to the items in the file folder and set them in the correct boxes using adhesive putty.

MORAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Photo booth-Universal Children's Day
(Open photo booth-Universal Children's Day) Print the various accessories, cut them out, and glue a drinking straw behind each one. Purchase hats, scarves, glasses, etc. at your local dollar store. Create an autumn décor using a large piece of cardboard or curtain. Invite children to pick the accessories they prefer and pose for you. You can take individual, group, or family photos. Print the pictures and display them on a wall for everyone to see.

My self-portrait
Invite each child to prepare a poster using a different color. The goal is for each child to illustrate how they add a touch of individual color to your group. Add a picture of each child to his poster as well as a few sentences describing his favorite games or toys, the name of his pet, his favorite color, etc.

Observe closely
Invite children to sit together. Pick a child and have him sit facing the rest of the group. Help children notice different characteristics of the child sitting in front of them: hair and eye color, freckles, clothing details, etc. When they are done, have the child turn around. The group must draw the child, adding as many details as possible.

Through a child's eyes
Purchase a toy digital camera (or borrow one). Let each child use it for one day. When it's their turn, children must use the camera to take pictures of their friends, of things they like, etc. Once everyone has had a turn, print the pictures and use them to create a mural that can be used to discuss with your group during circle time.

My little story
(Open album about me) Print for each child. Have children draw themselves. You could set a mirror on the table to help them remember certain details. Throughout the theme, complete each child's album.

MUSICAL AND RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES

Our song box
Ask each child to name his favorite song. Have them draw a picture representing their song on a small card. Obviously, to help you remember the different songs, write the song titles behind the cards. Pick a time of day when you will pick a card out of your song box and sing the corresponding song. Children will be happy to sing their favorite song with their friends.

For your song box, decorate a box or gift bag with your group. If there are six children in your group, you could also stick each child's drawing on one face of a die. When it's time to pick a song, simply roll the die to determine which song shall be sung. Variation 1: The songs included in your song box can vary per the time of year and per your themes. For example, you can add Halloween song titles to your song box in October, Christmas song titles to your song box in December, etc. Variation 2: You can also have children draw items representing each song from a CD and pick cards to determine the order in which they shall be played.

CULINARY ACTIVITIES

My favorite recipe
Ask children to name their favorite foods or meals and serve them, if possible, during the theme. If you wish, you could even use their suggestions to create a special recipe book.

My edible face
In a plate, let children use food items to represent a face they can eat at snack time. Provide orange or apple slices for ears or a mouth, baby carrots or pepper strips for the nose, banana slices or raisins for the eyes, etc.

ARTS & CRAFTS

Mandalas-Universal Children's Day
(Open mandalas-Universal Children's Day) Print for each child. Encourage children to color the mandalas to help them relax.

Models-Universal Children's Day
(Open models-Universal Children's Day) Print the models and use them for your various projects and needs throughout the theme.

My hat-Universal Children's Day
(Open educa-decorate-Universal Children's Day) Print and cut out. Glue the shapes on a construction paper headband for each child.

My mobile
Give each child a metal clothing hanger he can use as a base for his mobile. Have children cut various things they like out of catalogues (or draw them). Hang each item from children's hangers with string or ribbon. Add a picture of each child to his mobile to identify it. Hang the mobiles within your daycare.

Human puppets
Ask parents to provide pictures of their child (or photograph children during activities and print the pictures). Let children turn them into puppets by gluing them on Popsicle sticks. Set the puppets in your construction area and let children use them to create different scenarios.

My puzzle
Ask each child to draw himself on a piece of cardboard. Cover each child's self-portrait with adhesive paper and cut the portraits into pieces using scissors to create puzzles. Each child will have his own personalized puzzle to play with during the theme.

My crafty portrait
(Open face outline) Print for each child. Encourage children to add details to represent their face using scissors or torn pieces of construction paper. They may also use markers to add certain details. If you prefer, use paper plates instead of the face outline.

My family
Ask parents to provide pictures of different family members. Cut several squares out of different types of fabric and stick a picture of a family member on each one. Let children decorate the squares with arts & crafts materials. When they are done sew or glue the squares together to form a chain of family members.

Me-puppet
(Open faces, arms, legs) Print the various parts and let children stick them on a brown paper bag to create a puppet that looks like them. Encourage them to use the correct eye and hair color, etc.

My mirror
Set an acetate sheet on a mirror and let children use markers to draw themselves (or paint to paint themselves) using their reflection as a guide. The results will surprise you!

My silhouette
Trace the contour of each child's body on a large piece of paper. Display the silhouettes on a wall within your daycare. Let children color and decorate their silhouette throughout the theme.

My home
Set a variety of pre-cut shapes in the centre of your arts & crafts table. Ask children to use them to represent their house or their dreamhouse. Depending on their age, you may use this activity to teach them their address by adding their address above the door.

COLORING PAGES
(Open coloring pages theme-Universal Children's Day) Print for each child.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO USE THE COLORING PAGES

Identical coloring pages-Universal Children's Day
Print the same coloring page for each child and an additional copy for your model. Color only certain parts of your picture. Present the model to your group and ask them to color their picture to make it look exactly like yours.

Coloring binder-Universal Children's Day
Print and laminate several coloring pages and arrange them in a binder with a few dry-erase markers. Leave everything on a table for children to explore.

Musical drawing-Universal Children's Day
Play musical drawing with your group. Give each child a coloring page. Have children sit around a table. When the music starts, they must pass the coloring pages around the table. Every time the music stops, they must color the picture in front of them until the music starts again.

Homemade puzzles-Universal Children's Day
Give each child a picture to color. When they are done, cut each picture into pieces to create unique puzzles.

Creative coloring-Universal Children's Day
(Open creative coloring-Universal Children's Day) Print for each child. Have children complete the drawing as they see fit.

SONGS & RHYMES
(Open songs & rhymes-Universal Children's Day)
Sung to: Santa Claus is coming to town By: Patricia Morrison

Universal Children's Day
You better have fun
You better not cry
Better not miss it
Let me tell you why
It's Universal Children's Day

Have fun!
The educatall team