SPECIAL TOOL
The following tool was created in response to a special request received. (Open group identification-Daisies) Print and display within your daycare or use the various items in your circle time area.
CIRCLE TIME
Animated discussion-Daisies
(Open picture game-Daisies) Print and laminate the pictures in the format you prefer. Use them to spark a discussion with your group and to ask children questions related to the theme.
Daisy circle time
Every morning, have fun hiding an item related to the theme within your daycare. When children find it, photograph it and print the picture. Display the pictures on a wall so that children can share their findings with their parents at the end of each day. Wear white and yellow clothing items to greet children in the morning. Name a “daisy of the day” and grant him privileges.
Illustrated circle time chart
(Open picture game-Daisies) Print several pictures related to the theme and glue them on a large piece of cardboard. During circle time, use your chart to present the items pertaining to the theme to your group. You can hand each child a dry-erase marker. When a child identifies an item displayed on your chart, let him circle it. This will help younger children visualize what you are talking about.
A treasure hunt to discover the theme
(Open educa-decorate-Daisies) Print and laminate. Hide the illustrated items throughout your daycare. Encourage children to search for them. Name the items as they find them and invite your group to identify your theme.
Little daisy, who are you?
Bring a flowerpot containing daisies to your daycare and set it in a corner, where children are sure to notice it. Fill a clear plastic container that has a lid with flower seeds and seal it. Set the container on a table before children arrive in the morning. Use it to spark a conversation about what flowers need to grow with your group. Pull 1 or 2 daisies apart to show children the different parts of a flower. Name the parts and encourage them to repeat these new words.
My daisy-My spot
Use adhesive paper to press a yellow circle on the floor for each child. Using white electrical tape, draw petals around each circle. Invite each child to sit on a daisy during circle time. This will help delimit each child’s space.
AREA SETUP
Thematic poster-Daisies
(Open thematic poster-Daisies) Print, laminate, and display all kinds of posters.
Educa-decorate-Daisies
(Open educa-decorate-Daisies) Print, cut out, and laminate. Use the items to decorate the walls of your daycare and set the mood for the theme.
Educa-theme-Daisies
(Open educa-theme-Daisies) Print and laminate the items that represent the theme. Use them to present the theme to your group (and parents) while decorating your daycare.
Stickers-Daisies
(Open stickers-Daisies) Print the illustrations on adhesive paper. Cut out the items and use the stickers to reward children.
Daisy tribute
For the duration of the theme, integrate as many yellow and white accessories as possible. You can, for example, twist yellow and white party streamers together and hang them from your daycare ceiling. Cut daisies out of white Fun Foam sheets, press a crumpled piece of yellow tissue paper in the center of each one, and display them on your daycare walls. Use fabric daisies to create small bouquets that can be set throughout your daycare.
Flower-filled greeting
Purchase a fabric daisy for each child. As they arrive in the morning, slide a daisy in their hair or insert it in their pant pocket. Let them take their daisy home at the end of the day. Encourage them to bring it back to daycare each morning to establish a link between their home and daycare environment.
Daisy boutique
Set up a corner containing different items that can be found at the florist : plastic and fabric flowers, vases, ribbon, cards, adhesive tape, scissors, order forms, a cash register, a telephone, wrapping paper, play money, etc. Children will enjoy exploring the items for role play.
Daisy-filled ceiling
Hang artificial flowers from the ceiling throughout your daycare. You can find some at your local dollar store. Display pictures of different types of flowers on the walls of your daycare.
My daisy-covered floor
(Open models-Daisies) Print the daisies and have children color them. Cut leaf shapes out of green paper or Fun Foam and use adhesive paper to press them on the floor along with the daisies to delimit various areas within your daycare, to create a path that children can follow as they move from one area to another, or simply to decorate your daycare floor.
Flower-filled mural
Cut daisies out of gardening magazines and ask children to use them to create a flower-filled mural. They can add other types of flowers and vases cut out of different colors of construction paper. Under each type of flower, write its name.
PICTURE GAME
(Open picture game-Daisies) Use the pictures to decorate your daycare or to spark a conversation with your group. Print, laminate, and store the pictures in a Ziploc bag or in your thematic bin.
Memory game-Daisies
(Open picture game-Daisies) Print the pictures twice and use them for a traditional memory game.
ACTIVITY SHEETS
(Open activity sheets-Daisies) Print and follow instructions.
WRITING ACTIVITIES
(Open writing activities-D like daisy) Print for each child or laminate for use with a dry-erase marker.
Educa-nuudles-Daisies
(Open educa-nuudles-Daisies) Print for each child. Have children color the sheet. Once they are done, they may use Magic Nuudles to turn the coloring pages into three-dimensional works of art.
Variation: If you do not have Magic Nuudles, ask children to fill the spaces designed for Magic Nuudles with bingo markers or stickers.
To order Magic Nuudles:
http://www.educatout.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=76&osCsid=dd5f6e4b9a9a91cbd4f9a233494afbff
LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES
Word flashcards
Use the flashcards to spark a conversation with your group, in your reading and writing corner, or to identify your thematic bins. (Open word flashcards-Daisies) (Open giant word flashcards-Daisies) Print. daisies, flowers, stems, petals, bouquet, florist, leaves, yellow, white, love, summer, field
Daisy classification
Offer a wide range of classification and sorting challenges. Set the illustrations from the theme’s educa-decorate document on a table. Ask children to pick one, to name the item, and associate it to one of the pre-determined categories (size, color, theme, shape, etc.).
Word clothesline
(Open word flashcards-Daisies) (Open giant word flashcards-Daisies) 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.
Sequential story-Daisies
(Open sequential story-Daisies) Print and laminate the illustrations before cutting them out. Children must place them in the correct order.
ROUTINES AND TRANSITIONS
Game-This is my spot-Daisies
(Open models-Daisies) Print two copies of each illustration. Use adhesive paper to stick one copy of each illustration on the table. Place the second copy in a bag. Children take turns picking an illustration to determine where they must sit at the table. You may also use the illustrations to determine children’s naptime spots or their place in the task train.
My daisy path
(Open models-Daisies) Print, laminate, and secure the illustrations on the floor of your daycare to create a path leading to the areas frequently visited by children throughout the day. The path can lead to the bathroom, the cloakroom, etc. If you prefer, use the illustrations to delimit various areas.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MOTOR SKILLS
Pyramid-Daisies
(Open stickers-Daisies) Print and use the stickers to create games. Collect different sizes of empty metal cans. Decorate them with the stickers. Use the cans to build a pyramid and encourage children to try to make them fall with a frisbee. Give each child three tries.
Modeling dough activity placemats-Daisies
(Open modeling dough activity placemats-Daisies) Print and laminate. Let children pick a placemat and provide modeling dough. Encourage them to use the dough to fill or reproduce the shapes that are on their placemat.
Roll & color-Daisies
(Open roll & color-Daisies) Print for each child. This game can be enjoyed individually or as a group. Children take turns rolling a die, counting the dots, and coloring the corresponding part.
Bowling-Daisies
(Open bowling-Daisies) Print and use the stickers to create games. Make your own daisy bowling game by pressing them on plastic bottles. Arrange them on a table. Children can toss tennis balls towards the bowling pins. Give each child 3 tries to make them all fall.
String activities-Daisies
(Open string activities-Daisies) Print for each child. Children trace the lines with waxed string pieces (Wikki Stix). Variation: Trace the lines with glue and press string on the glue-covered lines.
Wikki Stix are sold on the educatall online store.
Daisy frisbees
For this activity, you will need yellow frisbees. Glue petals cut out of white Fun Foam sheets around the contour of each frisbee. Use the frisbees for different challenges. For example, each child can toss a frisbee and you can measure to see who tossed their frisbee the farthest. Who will land their frisbee closest to a pre-determined target (circle drawn on the ground with sidewalk chalk)?
Giant homemade memory game-Daisies
Use 12 yellow or white paper plates to create 6 pairs of theme-related images. You can simply glue illustrations on each plate and arrange them upside down on the floor. Children take turns picking 2 plates. Every time a child finds matching images, he keeps them and plays again. If a child turns 2 images that are not the same, his turn is over.
Daisy balloons
Inflate several yellow balloons that you have previously inserted a battery-operated tealight in. Turn the lights off and let children have fun tossing them up in the air.
Modeling dough daisies
Give each child a small ball of yellow modeling dough and invite them to form a ball. Next, have them cut cotton swabs in half and press the cut end of several cotton swabs in the dough to represent petals. Set the daisies aside to dry. Later, use hot glue to press a magnet behind each flower.
Hunting for marbles among the petals
Once you have done the cognitive activity where children count daisy petals as they remove them, use the container they filled with petals to create a sensory bin. Hide yellow marbles or buttons among the petals and encourage children to remove them one by one using tweezers or spoons.
Musical daisies
Purchase several plastic daisies. Sit in a circle with your group. To the sound of music, have them pass one daisy around. Every time the music stops, the child holding the daisy sets it in front of him. The music starts playing again and the game continues with another daisy. At the end of the activity, help each child count his daisies to see who collected the most.
Daisy hunt
Print the pictograms available in the Educatall club. Hide several flowers throughout your daycare (or use plastic daisies). Children must collect only flowers of a certain color. For example, you can ask them to find pink daisies, then yellow ones, and so on.
Fine motor skills-Crumpled daisies
(Open models-Daisies) Print for each child. Have them tear and crumple pieces of tissue paper. Next, children must apply white glue all over a flower and press the balls of paper on it. Display children’s artwork.
Growing flowers
To begin, children roll up in a ball to represent a tiny seed planted in the ground. Gently, they stretch out their limbs and stand to represent a growing flower. Next, they stretch their arms up high (petals). Once the flowers are completely grown, they can sway from side to side as if they are being rocked by a gentle breeze.
Flower song
Divide your group into two teams. Have each group sit at a table and deposit a single sheet of paper and crayons on each table. Play music. Each team must try to draw a colourful flower field before the end of the song.
My flowerbox
Fill a container with soil and add a few gardening tools, plastic flowers, and an empty watering can (to avoid spills). Children will enjoy planting the flowers in the soil.
Moving flowers
Stand in a circle with your group. Choose two or three types of flowers. For example, tell two children they are daisies, two children they are roses, and two other children they are tulips. Say, “Tulips trade places!” Continue the game, instructing two children at a time to change places.
Musical flowers
Cut tiny flowers and butterflies out of construction paper. Deposit the flowers on the floor. Give each child a butterfly. This game is played much like musical chairs, but without competition. Children walk around the flowers to the sound of music. When the music stops, each butterfly must find a flower of the matching color. Before starting the music again, children can trade butterflies among themselves. With younger children, use only two colors of flowers and butterflies. Add colors as they develop their color discrimination skills.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Garden obstacle course
Create an obstacle course complete with a balance beam, a tunnel, hula hoops, etc. Throughout the obstacle course, deposit vegetable illustrations. Have children complete the obstacle course with a basket in their hands and encourage them to collect the vegetables as they go along.
The daisy
Attach a plastic daisy to a child’s waist. The other children must try to steal it. The child who succeeds attaches it to his waist and the game continues. The first child who steals the daisy three times wins.
Flower-filled outings
Go for a walk with your group in your neighborhood and admire the flowers that are growing here and there. If possible, visit a local florist.
Flowers in the wind
Set several fabric leaves and artificial flowers on your parachute. Shake the parachute with your group to send them flying in the air.
Chalk daisies
With your group, use white and yellow sidewalk chalk to transform your yard and make it look like a field of daisies. To begin, have children draw several yellow circles. Next, they can draw white petals around each one.
Listening daisies
(Open outdoor sounds) Print the document for each child and invite them to cut the various pictograms. Before going for a walk with your group, hand each child a white paper plate. Help them divide it into segments using a marker and cut along the lines stopping before they reach the center. The segments will represent petals. Have children glue one pictogram on each petal. They can carry their daisy during a walk in your neighborhood. Every time a child hears a sound corresponding to a pictogram, he must fold the petal. For example, if a child hears a bird, he folds the petal that has a bird on it. This activity will keep children busy and make your outings interesting. The goal is for each child to have folded all his petals before you get back to your daycare.
COGNITIVE ACTIVITES
Daisy bouquets
(Open daisy bouquets) Print for each child. For this activity, you will need several fabric daisies (or real ones). Have children cut the strips of paper. Next, have them pick a strip of paper, look at the number printed on it, take the corresponding number of daisies, and wrap the strip of paper around the stems to form a bouquet. For example, the strip that has a “6” on it must be wrapped around 6 daisies.
Count the petals
Pick several daisies with your group and use them for a counting exercise. Count the petals with the children in your group as they remove them. Keep the petals in a plastic container. You can use them for the manipulation activity mentioned above.
Counting petals-Daisies
(Open I count petals-Daisies) Print for each child. Children must glue the correct number of petals on each illustration, per the number indicated.
Counting pompoms-Daisies
(Open I count pompoms-Daisies) Print for each child. Children must glue the correct number of pompoms on each illustration, per the number indicated.
Game-Four daisies
(Open game-Four daisies) Print, glue the cards on opaque cardboard and cut them out. Arrange all the cards upside down on the floor or table (so you can’t see the illustrations). Children take turns rolling a die. Every time a child rolls a “1”, he can turn a card. If he doesn’t already have this daisy in front of him, he keeps it and places it in front of him for everyone to see. The first child who has collected all four daisies wins.
Homemade puzzles
Print several pictures of flowers. Color them if necessary. Cut each one into 2 or 3 pieces. Give each child one puzzle piece and hide the other ones. Each child must search for his missing piece(s) so he can complete his puzzle.
Roll and color-3D-Daisies
(Open roll and color-3D-Daisies) Print for each child. This game can be enjoyed individually or as a group. Children take turns rolling a die, counting the dots, and coloring the corresponding part. The child who finishes coloring his picture first wins.
Educa-dots-Daisies
(Open educa-dots-Daisies) Print for each child. Give each child a tiny bowl filled with poster paint and a cotton swab. They must dip their cotton swab in the paint and then on each dot to color the letters or items. Let dry and display. Use their work to name the letters or items with your group.
Lacing-Daisies
(Open lacing-Daisies) Print, laminate, and punch holes around each model. Children can thread ribbon, string, or a shoelace through the holes.
Playing cards-Daisies
(Open playing cards-Daisies) Print and laminate. Give each child the same number of cards. Children take turns hiding the cards within your daycare. Children race to find them.
Race to find the daisies
(Open playing cards-Daisies) Print and laminate several cards and hide them throughout your daycare or yard. Divide your group into 2 teams. When you give the signal, children race to find as many cards as possible for a pre-determined period, for example 3 minutes.
Tiny hidden daisies
(Open miniature daisies) Print and laminate. Hide the daisies within your daycare and invite children to search for them. The child who finds the most daisies can hide them for the next round.
Hunt and seek coloring-Daisies
(Open hunt and seek coloring-Daisies) Print and laminate. Children must find and color the items.
I am learning to count-Flowers
(Open I am learning to count-Flowers) Print, laminate, and hang at children’s eye level. Using Velcro, children associate the correct number of petals with each number.
Planting my flowers
(Open planting flowers) Print and laminate. Press Velcro behind each flower and where indicated in the flower box. Pick a challenge with your group or, if you prefer, select a type of behavior that you wish to encourage. Every time a child succeeds, give him a flower to add to his flower box.
Flowerpots
(Open flowerpots) Print and laminate. Press Velcro behind each flower and on each flowerpot. A child picks a flower, names its color, and adds it to the correct pot.
My colorful seeds
(Open colorful seeds) Print and laminate. Cut out all the small cards. Children pick a fruit or vegetable and name its color before pressing it in the garden, in the row of the corresponding color. Continue until the garden is full.
Flower names
(Open word flashcards-Flowers) Print and laminate. Sit or stand in a circle with your group. Spread the word flashcards out in the center of the circle. Associate a type of flower with each child (daisy, rose, tulip, daffodil, etc.). When you name their flower, children must run to the center of the circle to find the flashcard that corresponds to their flower.
Hunt and seek-Flowers
(Open hunt and seek-Flowers) Print and laminate. Children pick a card and search for the item in the scene.
Bring me flowers
Use the picture game from the “Flowers” theme. (Open picture game-Flowers) Arrange the cards in front of your group. Stand at the opposite end of the room and, for example, say, “(Child’s name), bring me the daisy.” The child must find the correct card and hand it to you.
MORAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Our field of daisies
Hang a large piece of blue poster board on a wall. Provide several white paper muffin cups. Invite children to press them here and there, on the lower portion of your blue board. Next, have them glue a yellow pompom in the center of each muffin cup before drawing a stem under each one using a green marker. The goal of this activity is for children to work together to create a mural. After the initial activity, children can continue to add daisies throughout the theme.
My motivation daisy
(Open motivation daisy) Print a daisy for each child. Select a challenge for each child (handwashing, cleanup participation, to remain seated throughout the lunch period, etc.). Every time a child succeeds, let him color one petal using glitter crayons. Once a child’s petals are all colored, grant him a privilege or offer a simple reward.
My favorite flower
Trace and cut out a giant daisy outline and display it on a wall. Provide various materials children can use to decorate their daisy. Encourage them to work together.
Photo booth-Daisies
(Open photo booth-Daisies) 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 a special 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.
Flower dance
Distribute cards with flowers printed on them. You must have 2 copies of each flower. Children must find the child who was given the same flower and together, they must try to identify the flower. They then become dance partners for the duration of one song. When the music stops, redistribute the cards.
My flower
Invite children to look at several flower-themed picture books for inspiration. After a while, have them draw the flower they find the prettiest. When they are done, they can present their drawing to the group and explain their choice.
EARLY SCIENCE
The static daisy challenge
Divide your group into 2 teams. For each team, inflate one yellow and five white balloons. To begin, show children how they can rub the balloons on their clothing to create static electricity that will make it possible to stick the balloons on the wall temporarily. Here is the challenge: team members must work together to stick the yellow balloon on the wall and add the white ones around it to represent a daisy. The first team that succeeds wins.
Our daisy bin
(Open miniature daisies) Print and laminate. Fill a bin with soil and add gardening tools, plastic flowers, and an empty watering can (to avoid spills). Hide the daisies in your sensory bin. Children will have fun picking them out of the soil and planting them again.
Flower scents
Dip a few cotton balls in different perfumed oils. Set the cotton balls in margarine tubs and punch holes in the lids. Use adhesive tape to secure the lid on each tub. If you don’t have perfumed oils with flower scents, use scented tealight candles or soaps instead. Show children pictures of the corresponding flowers to turn this activity into a fun association game.
CULINARY ACTIVITIES
Daisy eggs
At the dollar store, you will find flower-shaped silicone moulds. Purchase a few and use them to cook eggs. Simply set the moulds in a pan, break an egg inside each one, and let them cook slowly, without flipping them. When they are ready, simply slide the flower-shaped eggs on children’s plates.
Daisy cupcakes
In a big-box store, you will find small daisy cake decorations. Bake cupcakes with your group. Once they are cool, spread frosting on them and let children press tiny daisies on top to decorate their cupcakes.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Mason jar bouquet
(Open Mason jar bouquet) Print the document for each child. Have children cut out the circles. Next, using scissors, have them cut along the dotted lines on each circle to create petals and color the center of each circle using a yellow marker or, if you prefer, they can glue a small yellow button in the center of each circle. Children glue the daisies above the Mason jar to represent a bouquet. To complete their project, children can add a pretty ribbon or jute cord. Help them tie a bow. Display their bouquets on a wall.
Puppets-Daisies
(Open puppets-Daisies) Print the various models on cardboard. Ask children to cut them out and decorate them with arts & crafts materials. Glue a Popsicle stick behind each one to complete the puppets.
Inflated daisies
(Open large daisy petal) Inflate a yellow balloon for each child. Children trace the model on white Fun Foam several times and cut out the petals. They can use double-sided adhesive tape to press the petals around their balloon to make it look like a daisy. Next, give each child a long green party garland they can glue behind their flower to represent a stem.
Masks-Daisies
(Open daisy face) Print and set the masks in the center of the table. Children use arts & crafts materials and markers to decorate a mask. Attach a string on either side of each child’s mask so they can be tied behind their head.
Printed daisies
Give each child a piece of heavy construction paper. Have them trace the bottom of a drinking glass in the center of their paper. They can apply white glue inside the circle they have drawn and sprinkle yellow glitter all over it. Shake any excess glitter off over a garbage can or container. Next, paint the palm of each child’s hand with washable white paint and have them press it around their yellow circle to represent petals. Let dry and display children’s artwork.
Flowerpots
(Open stickers-Daisies) Print and use stickers to create pretty flowerpots. Collect different sizes of empty metal cans. Decorate them with the stickers. Fill the cans with soil and add daisies or plant seeds.
Modeling dough flowers
Provide modeling dough that children can use to create flowers.
Mandalas-Daisies
(Open mandalas-Daisies) Print one copy for each child. Invite children to color the mandalas to provide them with a relaxing activity.
My daisy hat
(Open educa-decorate-Daisies) Print and cut out. Glue the shapes on a construction paper headband.
Crafts-Daisies
(Open models-Daisies) Print the models and use them for various activities and projects throughout the theme.
My daisy necklace
(Open models-Daisies) Print the tiniest models and encourage children to color them as they wish. Make a small hole in the center of each flower and provide a piece of string children can thread them on to make a necklace.
Yarn daisy
Draw a daisy on the inside of a Styrofoam meat tray. Trace over the same lines with white glue and press yarn on them. Fill the empty spaces with white glue one at a time and fill them with colorful pieces of yarn. Glue both ends of another piece of yarn behind the tray so you can hang the yarn daisies.
A tissue paper daisy bouquet
Cut several circles out of different colors of tissue paper. You will need 6 layers of tissue paper per flower. Use a pipe cleaner to tie them together, in the center. Separate the layers to create volume. Spray them with perfume and use them to create a bouquet.
Dried flowers
Pick wildflowers with your group and tie the stems together. Hang them upside down in a dry and dark area for 1 to 3 weeks. After this period, children can glue them on a paper plate and paint the contour. Glue both ends of a ribbon behind each child’s plate so they can hang their artwork.
My flower vase
Give each child an empty drinkable yogurt bottle. Have them apply white glue around the outside of their container and roll it in sand. Let dry. Once the glue is dry, they can insert flowers in their pretty vase.
Torn flowers
Provide several different colors of construction paper that children can tear into pieces. Show them how they can use the torn paper to represent a flower on a piece of cardboard.
Glasses-Flowers
(Open flower glasses) Print the model and trace it on heavy cardboard. Cut out the center of each lense and help children glue yellow cellophane paper.
Daisy hat
(Open models-Daisies) Print several copies. Children must color and cut out the daisies so they can glue them on a construction paper headband.
COLORING PAGES
(Open coloring pages theme-Daisies) Print for each child.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO USE THE COLORING PAGES
Identical coloring pages-Daisies
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-Daisies
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-Daisies
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-Daisies
Give each child a picture to color. When they are done, cut each picture into pieces to create unique puzzles.
Have fun!
The educatall team