The weather is getting warmer and everything is turning green. Spring is here! Celebrate and explore the beauty of spring with this month's activities.
# READ: Abracadabra, It's Spring! by Anne Sibley O'Brien
Use your library card or get a library card here!
Sun shines on a patch of snow.
Hocus pocus!
Where did it go?
Winter turns to spring in this lyrical book that celebrates the magic of nature and the changing seasons. Eleven gatefolds open to re-create the excitement and surprise of spring's arrival, revealing what happens when snow melts, trees bud, flowers bloom, birds arrive, and eggs and cocoons hatch. Finally, it's warm enough to pack away winter clothes and go out and play!
Increase pre-literacy skills as you read together:
- As you read, encourage your little learner to have fun repeating the magic words to make spring come.
- Periodically ask your little one what they think will happen after they say the magic words and allow them to open the page for the reveal.
- Encourage your child to use their fingers to count the bunnies, flowers, and bugs on each page as you read.
- On a second read-through, emphasize the rhyming words on each spread. For example, "A silent sky, then birds come winging. Mumbo jumbo! Noisy singing!"
# SING: In the Spring
(Tune: The Wheels in the Bus)
# EXPLORE: Build a Bug
Materials
- Construction paper
- Glue stick
- Scissors (for grown-up)
- Hole punch (for grown-up, optional)
Instructions
- To prepare, adults will cut half-sheets, circles, semi-circles, and thin strips out of construction paper in a variety of colors. To create very small circles for eyes, spots, etc., you may find a hole punch to be helpful as well.
- Set out construction paper shapes along with a glue stick in your little learner's creation space, and invite them to use the paper to create their own bugs.
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While your little learner works, encourage your little one to talk about their creations by saying things like:
- I see you used thin pieces here, what part of the bug's body is that?
- I like the dots you put on your bug! Are those the bug's eyes, or spots?
- How does your bug move around? Do they fly or crawl?
- After your little learner is done with their bug, encourage them to name it! They can write the name on the page, or help you write it by spelling and sounding the name out with you.
- Repeat this process with as many bugs as your little one wants.
# JOIN: Visit us at the library and attend a program!
View all early childhood programs and events offered this month.
