As we all know, toddlers enjoy a regular routine. As teachers, we appreciate January because, although students need to readjust to the school routine after the long winter break, it is typically a quiet month in which to get back into the work cycle. It is a time to refine practical life skills, such as pouring a glass of water or preparing a snack. Old songs and stories are enjoyed, and new ones are added. Art media is expanded, and new ideas are introduced. The oldest class members are starting to become more aware of social opportunities, which puts a new perspective on class time. The uninterrupted class period provides time for lessons in language, math and sensorial concepts.
During January, we are walking through the Arctic. Our themes are snowflakes, snowmen, polar animals and weather. We also have a song about Martin Luther King Jr.
We’ll glue, and paint snowflakes and snowmen. We will work with penguin nesting dolls, do snowman posting, and build a stackable snowman made out of wooden disks. Our sensory bin is filled and is still a classroom favorite.
We have small polar animals to match and large walruses to scrub. We also have several books about polar bears and hibernating animals.
Songs
I’m a happy snowman,
Big and fat.
Here are my mittens,
My scarf and my hat.
I’m a happy Snowman,
Here is my nose.
I am all made of snow
From my head to my toes.
I am all made of snow
From my head to my toes.
Baby beluga in the deep blue sea
Swim so wild and you swim so free
Heaven above and the sea below
And a little white whale on the go
Baby beluga, baby beluga
Is the water warm
Is your mama home with you, so happy
Way down yonder where the dolphins play
Where you dive and splash all day
Waves roll in and the waves roll out
See the water squirtin’ out of your spout
Baby beluga, oh, baby beluga
Sing for all your friends, we like to hear you
When it’s dark, you’re home and fed,
Curl up, snug in your water bed
Moon is shining and the stars are out
Good night, little whale, good night.
Baby beluga, oh, baby beluga
With tomorrow’s sun, another day’s begun
You’ll soon be wakin’
Baby beluga in the deep blue sea
Swim so wild and you swim so free
Heaven above and the sea below
And a little white whale on the go
You’re just a little white whale on the go
Looking for kindness, what do I need?
Big old goggles to help me see. Gigunda ears to help me hear.
A pulsating heart to know what’s dear. Looking for kindness – random acts of kindness. Looking for kindness, what do I see? Helping hands from you and me.
Gentle touches and holding the door. Pushing in chairs, and cleaning the floor.
Looking for kindness, random acts of kindness. Looking for kindness, what do I hear?
Encouraging words that are helpful and clear. Pleases and thank yous. Now, it’s your turn. If you need some help, I can help you learn.
Looking for kindness, random acts of kindness. Looking for kindness, straight from the heart
Sharing and caring, well, they say it’s an art.
Giving a wink, a hug, a high five,
Two thumbs up because love is alive.
Looking for kindness, random acts of kindness.
We are looking for kindness, random acts of kindness
