Preschool Fall Activities - The Thankful Tree

I want to share these preschool fall activities because they can be adapted for all nationalities and any season.

In the United States, the holiday of Thanksgiving is in November. It is a time for families and friends to get together and share a special meal and talk about what we are thankful for.

This same concept of gratitude and things to be thankful for can be used for any time of year in any country. No need to limit this to one country's holiday event once a year.

The Thankful Tree

We have a Thankful Tree every year that we use for our Thanksgiving Feasts at the preschool.

First we find a really big tree branch and anchor it in a big container or bucket. You can use cement, plaster of paris or even rocks and sand to hold up the branch. Spray it gold and then either buy beautiful cotton leaves or commercial type leaves, or we cut them out ourselves and then decorate them, or buy water color paper leaves and paint them in fall colors. It’s up to your imagination.

Give each child, friend or family a leaf or two and have them write on the leaf what they are thankful for. Of course, your preschoolers can't write but their parents can write what they say. Then hang these on the tree or hot glue it on one of the branches.

It looks great and it a great center piece for a table. It’s a great project for families or even kids clubs. Everyone is thankful for something. This way they can write it down and share it.

Thanks for sending this idea to share.

Keep your ideas coming in and I'll share them here for all.

If you like these preschool fall activities, you'll love the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

Check them out:

http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html


Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com


PS: If you would like to receive my free newsletter for more ideas for your preschool class, enter your name and address at the site below:

http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html

Preschool Fall Activities - Pine Cone Owls and Edible Art

These are two preschool fall activities that your children will learn from and enjoy while doing them. They will ask for them again and again!

If you live in an area where you can go on a nature walk and collect pine cones, be sure to do so. If not, you can purchase these at a crafts store.

I use this lesson to teach the letter O, to teach shapes and to discuss owls. We talk about what they look like, what they eat, how they sound. I show pictures of owls and how there are many different types of owls. One of my readers just sent in this Pine Cone Owl idea. Thanks so much.

Next use the apples for multiple topics as well. Use them for nutrition, to talk about shapes, to use them for color recognition (apples are in many colors). Use your imagination and have fun.

Pine Cone Owls

Use pine cones to make baby owls. Just take cotton balls and pull them apart. Stuff them in between the pine quills. Then cut out eyes and wings and feet and have your preschoolers glue them on to the pine cones. They are so cute.


Edible Apple Designs

This is a snack and art project all rolled into one! Need: apples, yogurt of different colors (you could buy the kind that is already different colors or add food coloring to vanilla yogurt), & paper plates.

Slice the apples in different shapes. Pour a few kinds of yogurt that is different colors or use vanilla yogurt and add food coloring to it, onto a plate for each child. Give each child a paper plate to create an edible masterpiece. Show them how to dip the apple into the yogurt and create prints on their plate. They can eat the yogurt and apple work of art!

If you like these preschool fall activities, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.

If you prefer lessons which have ideas for the Toddler Age, go here to the second volume of lessons. There is an entire bonus section devoted to TODDLERS.

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com/v2.html

Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com