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Pre-K activities, learning games, crafts, and printables


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Hugs - Babies and toddlers - Educatall

Hugs

Activities for toddlers and babies

 

A theme to teach children the benefits associated with hugs, providing both parties involved agree to this form of physical contact… There are big hugs and there are little hugs. One thing is certain, both the person on the giving end and the person on the receiving end of a hug will reap the benefits of this simple action.

 

AREA SETUP

 

Hug corner

This corner is ideal for children who often hug their peers a little too tightly. Create a refuge that children can go to when they are overexcited or overflowing with emotions. Set stuffed animals, dolls, and large cushions or pillows in your corner. Show children how they can hug these items as tightly as they wish.

 

ROUTINES AND TRANSITIONS

 

Morning farewell hug

Throughout the theme, invite parents to give their child an extra special farewell hug each morning, providing their child is willing to receive it.

 

SENSORY ACTIVITIES (look)

 

The hug wall

Take pictures of the children in your group hugging a doll, their mother, their brother or sister, a pet or stuffed animal, one of their peers, or another early childhood educator. Display the pictures on a wall and write The hug wall above the pictures. With your group, look at the pictures. Invite parents to admire your wall with their child at the end of the day.

 

SENSORY ACTIVITIES (touch)

 

The hugging blanket

Find an extra soft blanket and wrap it around the infants and toddlers in your group. The blanket will feel like a soft hug around their body. Variation: Sit on the floor with your group. Hide under your soft blanket together and give each child a big hug.

 

ARTS & CRAFTS

 

The gift of hugs

Cut heart shapes out of construction paper or cardboard. Let infants and toddlers draw on the hearts. On the back of each heart, write Trade this heart in for a hug. Let children hand these hearts out to their loved ones.

 

MORAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

 

Different types of hugs

With your group, have fun giving and receiving different types of hugs. Encourage older toddlers to help you invent original hugs. Here are a few examples.

 

A bear hug: Each child can hug you (their early childhood educator) as tightly as possible.

A mouse hug: Give each child a very tiny hug (barely touch each child).

A cheek hug: Have each child press one cheek against another child’s cheek.

A super fast hug: Give each child a very brief hug.

 

COGNITIVE ACTIVITIES

 

The hugging puppet

Use a puppet to gently caress different parts of children’s bodies. Name each body part as you hug them. The puppet can, for example, hug each child’s arm, neck, stomach, head, etc.

 

Big hug, little hug

Use this theme to introduce children to the concept of “big and small”. Hug the infants and toddlers who are interested. Use the words “big” and “small” to describe the strength of each hug. Alternate between giving children big and small hugs to help them understand the difference.

 

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MOTOR SKILLS

 

Rocking hugs

Set several stuffed animals on the floor. Invite children to sit on the floor with you. Encourage them to pick a stuffed animal and rock it back and forth as they hug it close to their body.

 

LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES

 

Animal hugs

Tell children that animals really enjoy hugs too. Search the Internet for pictures of hugging animals or people who are hugging animals. Here is an example of a video you can watch with your group: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szJcXbYoy6Y.

 

 

Chantal Millette

Early childhood educator


Educatall.com is not responsible for the content of this article. The information mentioned in this article is the responsibility of the author. Educatall.com shall not be held responsible for any litigation or issues resulting from this article.

 

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