Spring cleaning

AREA SETUP

(Open thematic poster-Spring cleaning) Print, laminate, and decorate the walls of your daycare with all kinds of posters.

Educa-decorate-Spring cleaning

(Open educa-decorate-Spring cleaning) Print, laminate, and cut out the illustrations. Use them to decorate your walls and set the mood for the theme.

Spring banner

(Open banner-Spring) (Open banner-Spring-small) Print and laminate. Use the banners to decorate your daycare. Display spring-related items such as flowers, suns, umbrellas, raindrops, trees, etc. on your walls. Hang fabric flowers from the ceiling with fishing wire or pastel-coloured ribbon. Hang a piece of tulle from the ceiling and deposit flowers, leaves, and other items on it. This can be a great addition to your reading and relaxation area. You may also choose to use recycled items to make your own thematic poster. Laminate it for durable, eco-friendly use.

SPECIAL TOOL

The following special tool was created in response to a special request received. (Open group identification-The giraffes) Print and display the documents in a specific corner of your daycare or near your circle time area.

CIRCLE TIME

To introduce your theme, decorate a hat with sponges, cloths, small spray bottles, etc. and wear it to greet your group. As they arrive, give each child a sponge and tell them that they will be given the chance to use it later in the day. During circle time, talk about all the things that need to be cleaned on a regular basis, both inside and outside.

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 specific thematic corner. (Open picture game-Spring cleaning) Print, laminate, and store the pictures in a Ziploc bag or in your thematic bin.

ACTIVITY SHEETS

(Open activity sheets-Spring cleaning) Activity sheets are suggested for each theme. Print and follow instructions.

WRITING ACTIVITIES

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

Stationery-Spring cleaning

(Open stationery-Spring cleaning) Print. The stationery can be used to communicate with parents, in your writing area, or to identify your thematic bins.

Educa-nuudles-Spring cleaning

(Open educa-nuudles-Spring cleaning) 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

VARIOUS WORKSHOPS-Spring cleaning

Have fun with these wonderful workshop ideas provided by Caroline Allard.

Construction/building blocks:

• A large quantity of sponges that can be used to build a variety of soft constructions.
• Small containers used to plant seeds that can be used to build towers.
• Flower pots that can be used to build towers.
• Plastic flowerbed borders can be used to delimit the area.
• Plastic flowers and different sizes of containers that can be used to "plant" the flowers.

Arts & crafts:

• Spring-coloured paper (brown, yellow, green, etc.) and colourful paper that can be used to make flowers.
• Tissue paper to make flowers.
• Seeds that can be glued on paper to create pretty designs. Black sunflower seeds are especially beautiful on light paper.

Drawing:

• Coloring pages related to the theme.

Role play:

• Spring cleaning indoors: brooms, cloths, buckets, mops, empty spray bottles, etc.
• Spring cleaning outdoors: rakes, garden tools, hose, gloves, garbage cans, toy lawn mower, etc.

Manipulation:

• Transparent bottles containing different types of seeds and pictures of the flowers or vegetables they will become once they are planted. This is a great association game.
• A series of illustrations that must be placed in the correct order to represent how a seed becomes a flower.
• Homemade or store-bought puzzles representing various spring-related items.
• Scented, pastel-coloured modeling dough and cookie cutters representing flowers, leaves, vegetables, etc. You can even offer plastic flowers. Children will enjoy pricking them in the dough.
• Memory game related to the theme.

Pre-reading:

• Picture books about spring or the different seasons.
• Storybooks about birds, flowers, etc.
• Headphones and a CD with bird sounds.

Pre-writing:

• Maze activities.
• Hunt and seek printables.
• Various activity sheets related to the theme.
• Games with educatall word flashcards.

Sensory bins:

• Container filled with soil, gardening tools or utensils, plastic containers, plastic vegetables, seeds, and a watering can.
• Container filled with snow that has melted a little.
• Container filled with sunflower seeds (beware of allergies).

Early science:

• Grow alfalfa or grass in Styrofoam glasses and use the sprouts to create silly characters.
• Have children plant vegetable seeds.
• Magnifying glasses and different items found in nature to observe.
• Binoculars that can be used for bird watching outside or through the window.

Word flashcards

Use the cards to spark a conversation with your group or in your reading and writing area. They may also be used to identify your thematic bins. (Open word flashcards-Spring cleaning) (Open giant word flashcards-Spring cleaning) Print. feather duster, bucket, spray bottle, cloths, sponge, broom, gloves, garbage, clothesline, mop, dustpan, hose.

Sequential story

(Open sequential story-Spring cleaning) Print, laminate, and cut out the illustrations. Children must place them in the correct order to recreate the story.

ROUTINES AND TRANSITIONS

Game-This is my spot-Spring cleaning

(Open game-This is my spot-Spring cleaning) Print two copies. Laminate and cut out the cards. Glue one copy of each card on the table using adhesive paper. Drop the other copies in a bag. Children take turns picking a card to determine their spot at the table for the day. You may also use the cards to determine naptime spots or for your task train.

My spring cleaning path

(Open my spring cleaning path) Print, laminate, and secure the illustrations on the floor to create a path which leads to areas frequently visited by children such as the bathroom or cloakroom. If you prefer, the illustrations may also be used to delimit your various workshops.

Hand washing with sponges

Encourage children to manipulate a variety of sponges: a dry sponge, a sponge wet with hot water, a sponge wet with cold water, a sponge that you left in the freezer for a few hours, etc.

ACTIVITIES FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS

Sponges

Let little ones manipulate a variety of sponges: a dry sponge, a sponge wet with hot water, a sponge wet with cold water, a sponge that you left in the freezer for a few hours, etc.

Water games

Little ones love to play in water. Fill a container with water and remove babies' clothing (keep only their diaper). Let them play in the water with sponges, towels, and water toys.

Window washing

If you have a patio door or low window in your daycare, let little ones have fun "washing" it. Spray a small quantity of water on the window and show children how they can wipe the water with a cloth or sponge.

My spring tree

(Open models-tree) Print for each child. Let children dip the tips of their fingers in paint and then make prints on the paper to fill their tree with colourful leaf buds.

My spring bottles

Fill a variety of plastic bottles with different types of seeds to create stimulation bottles. The seeds' different shapes, colors, and the sounds they produce will attract little ones' attention.

Glove exploration

Fill rubber gloves with a variety of materials. Tie a knot at the base of each glove and let little ones manipulate them.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MOTOR SKILLS

Spring cleaning lacing

(Open lacing spring cleaning) Print, laminate, and punch holes around the contour of each model. Children can use a shoelace or ribbon to lace the shapes.

Window washing

If you have a patio door or low window in your daycare, let little ones have fun "washing" it. Spray a small quantity of water on the window and show children how they can wipe the water with a cloth or sponge.

Sponge fight

Divide your group into two teams. Have each team build a cabin using blankets and furniture items (tables and chairs). Give each team an equal number of sponges and foam balls. When you give the signal, children must throw the sponges and balls at the other team.

Parachute cleanup

Use your parachute. Pile sponges and towels on top of the parachute. Invite one child to sit in the centre of the parachute. The other children must shake the parachute to make the sponges and towels bounce around him/her. Give each child a chance to sit in the centre.

Scrub, scrub, scrub

Provide several different sponges and towels. With your group, alternate between using your right hand and your left hand to pretend you are washing windows. What a workout! You can also scrub very slowly, fast, super fast, etc.

I am jumping over puddles

Trace and cut out several cardboard puddles. Arrange them on the floor to create a path. Children must jump over the puddles to the sound of music.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Spray paint

Use a variety of spray bottles. Fill them with water and add a few drops of food coloring to each one. Have fun spraying color on snow, large sheets of paper hung on a fence, or asphalt.

Broom race

Divide your group into teams. You will need one broom and one ball per team. Use colourful chalk to draw a start line and a finish line. Have each team stand single file on the start line. Children take turns using the broom to move the ball towards the finish line as quickly as possible.

Sponge race

Divide your group into two teams. Set a bucket filled with water on the start line and an empty bucket on the finish line. Children take turns filling their team's sponge with water, running to the other bucket, squeezing the water out of the sponge and running back to the start line to give the sponge to the next child in line. Keep going until one team's finish line bucket is full.

Walking...in the puddles

On a rainy day, ask parents to bring their child's rain boots to the daycare and go for a walk with your group. Let them walk in the puddles!

COGNITIVE ACTIVITIES

Educ-pairs-Spring cleaning

(Open educ-pairs-Spring cleaning) Print. Children must draw a line between identical illustrations or color them using the same color. Laminate for durable, eco-friendly use with dry-erase markers.

Educ-trace-Spring cleaning

(Open educ-trace-Spring cleaning) Print for each child. Children must trace the lines using the correct color and then color each item using the corresponding color.

Educa-symmetry-Spring cleaning

(Open educa-symmetry-Spring cleaning) Print. Children must color the bottom picture (black and white) to make it look exactly like the top picture (in color).

Magnifying glass game-Spring cleaning

(Open magnifying glass game-Spring cleaning) Print and laminate the board game and the cards. Cut out the cards and store them in a box or a plastic bag. Children must pick a card and search for the item on the board game using a magnifying glass. Once they have found the item, they must deposit the card in the corresponding square.

Hunt and seek-Spring cleaning

(Open hunt and seek-Spring cleaning) Print and laminate. Children must pick a card and search for the item in the scene.

Educ-pattern-Spring cleaning

(Open educ-pattern-Spring cleaning) Print and laminate. Children must use the illustrations to complete the patterns.

Educ-association-Spring cleaning

(Open educ-association-Spring cleaning) Print. Arrange the pages in a file folder. Children must associate the illustrations. Once they have found the correct association, they must stick it in the corresponding square using Velcro or adhesive putty.

Educ-big and small-Spring cleaning

(Open educ-big and small-Spring cleaning) Print and laminate the game. Children must place matching illustrations in the correct order, from smallest to biggest or from biggest to smallest.

Association game-Spring cleaning

(Open association game-Spring cleaning) Print and laminate the game. Using Velcro, children must associate the cards to the correct scene.

MORAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Spring chores

Invite parents to participate in a gigantic daycare cleanup. Make a list of all the chores that need to be done. Parents will be happy to help you clean the yard, toys, or storage spaces.

Real tools

Ask parents to bring you various tools they use when they are spring cleaning at home or in their yard. During circle time, present the tools to your group and discuss the purpose of each one.

Cleaning and the environment

Show your group several different bottles of cleaning products. Together, look closely at the labels, paying special attention to safety symbols. Explore more ecological cleaning methods such as the use of water and vinegar, water and baking soda, etc. This may also be a good time to discuss the importance of tree preservation and other environmentally friendly actions such as using washable fabric cloths instead of paper towels.

Spring cleaning

Provide sponges, cloths, and buckets of soap water and let children help you clean your daycare. This activity can be repeated outdoors.

My magical spring box

Fill a large box with cleaning items used for spring cleaning or items related to springtime in general. Blindfold children one at a time and invite them to pick an object out of the box and try to identify it simply by touching it.

EARLY SCIENCE/MANIPULATION/EXPLORATION

Blotting paper

Paper towels are often used to complete tasks related to spring cleaning. Demonstrate how this type of paper absorbs water quickly and easily for your group. Afterwards, repeat the demonstration using other types of paper such as waxed paper, tissue paper, wallpaper, etc. Let children experiment to determine if there are other types of absorbent paper. You may add a few drops of food coloring to the water.

I am making mud

Prepare several different containers to give children the chance to create a variety of mixtures. With your group, try to determine what is needed to create mud. In one container, combine sand and water. Combine rocks and water in another container and soil and water in a third container. If children have other suggestions, let them experiment.

Where does the snow go?

Fill a large container with snow and bring it inside. With your group, watch the snow melt and become water. Explain that the same thing happens to the snow that is outside; it turns into water when the weather warms up and it is absorbed into the ground. Fill another container with soil. Let children pour the water from the melted snow on the soil to see how it is absorbed.

Observe nature

Purchase a variety of seeds. Try to find seeds with different sizes and shapes. You may use vegetable and/or flower seeds. Present the seed packets to your group. Ask them to tell you what they think the seeds look like before emptying them on a white plate. Let children manipulate the seeds and ask them to identify any resemblances or differences.

Seedlings

If you are planning on planting seeds with your group, don't miss our printable step by step guide. (Open Step by step guide to planting seeds)

CULINARY ACTIVITIES

Creative recipe-Sponge toffee (Open creative recipe-Sponge toffee)

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons of baking soda
• 1 cup of corn syrup
• 1 cup of sugar
• Butter

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Portions: 6

Steps:

1. With butter, grease a pan with a capacity of 2 cups.
2. Add the sugar and corn syrup to a large pot.
3. Mix well.
4. Cook over medium heat, stirring until mixture boils. Continue to cook mixture until temperature reaches 305 °F (150 °C) on a candy thermometer.
5. Remove from heat.
6. Add baking soda and stir until mixture has a sponge-like texture.
7. Pour mixture in the greased pan. Let cool completely then break toffee up into pieces.

ARTS & CRAFTS

Models-Spring cleaning

(Open models-Spring cleaning) Print several copies. Use the models as a starting point for a variety of crafts or other activities.

Puppets-Spring cleaning

(Open puppets-Spring cleaning) Print the puppet models on cardboard. Have children cut them out and decorate them with a variety of materials. Glue Popsicle sticks behind each model to create puppets.

My sidewalk

Use adhesive tape to connect several pieces of gray or black construction paper together. Set the sidewalk on the floor or hang it on a wall and let children color on it using sidewalk chalk just as if they were outside.

Buds and flowers.

(Open models-tree) Print for each child. In the centre of the table, deposit two containers; one containing rice cereal to represent buds and one containing popped popcorn to represent flowers. Invite children to glue the items on their tree. If you prefer, you can make one big tree and work together as a group.

Glove painting

Provide different types of gloves (dishwashing, gardening, wool, etc.) and let children wear them to finger paint.

Hand flowers

Trace the contour of each child's hand on heavy cardboard. Have children cut them out (complete this task for younger children), add a pipe cleaner to represent a stem, and add a touch of color to turn their hands into pretty flowers.

Flower-covered windows

Cut a piece of Mac-Tac that is the same size as one of the windows in your daycare (or half the size). Deposit flower petals (fabric, tissue paper, or real) on the table and invite children to stick them on the Mac-Tac. When they are done, stick the adhesive paper on the window to display their work.

My bouquet of roses

Cut celery, keeping only 5-6 inches at the base. Dip it in pink, red, yellow, or white paint to create a bouquet of roses. Use a marker to draw stems.

Spring cleaning mobile

Have children cut products and tools used for spring cleaning out of flyers. Pre-cut different theme-related shapes out of heavy cardboard and invite children to glue their findings on them. Assemble the shapes to create a mobile and hang it within your daycare.

Cleaning/painting

Collect a variety of cleaning tools (brushes, cloths, sponges, etc.) and set them on a table. Hang a large white paper banner on a wall. Let children use the cleaning tools to "paint".

Tulips

Encourage children to paint each section of an egg carton using different pastel colors. Let dry. Cut each section and insert a pipe cleaner. Prick them in floral foam or arrange them in a vase.

COMPLETE THE DRAWING

(Open complete the drawing-Spring cleaning) Print for each child. Children must complete the picture by drawing the missing items.

COLORING PAGES

(Open coloring pages theme-Spring cleaning) Print for each child.

CREATIVE COLORING

(Open creative coloring-Spring cleaning) Print for each child. Encourage children to draw what they see when they look out the window during spring.

SONGS & RHYMES

(Open songs & rhymes-Scrub-a-rub-rub)

By: Patricia Morrison
Sung to: Rub-a-dub-dub

Scrub-a-rub-rub

Scrub-a-rub-rub

Grab your sponge and mop

Clean here, clean there, from bottom to top

Spray and wipe, sweep and dust, sort and tidy, don't stop

It's time for spring cleaning, make everything shine

Let's scrub-a-rub-rub 'til we drop

Have fun!

The Educatall team