Thanksgiving is celebrated in Canada on the second Monday in October in order to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. In the United States of America, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November and commemorates a feast in 1621 that the Pilgrims shared with Native Americans since they had taught them to plants crops and hunt wild game. In both countries a feast is held in order to express gratitude and appreciation for the good things that have occurred in the past year.
Discuss with preschool aged children the story of Thanksgiving, the spirit of thankfulness, and the symbols associated with Thanksgiving. Some traditional Thanksgiving symbols include turkeys, Indian corn, pilgrims, autumn leaves, and cornucopia. A good Thanksgiving lesson plan includes activities in a variety of areas of development. The following activities focus on cognitive and creative objectives.
Preschool Cognitive Activities for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Sequencing Activity
Out of felt, cut turkeys, Indian corn, pilgrims, or any other item symbolizing Thanksgiving in various sizes. Then let children sequence the items from smallest to largest by placing them on a storyboard. This activity helps children identify size.
Thanksgiving Matching Game
Create or buy cards with a variety of Thanksgiving symbols on them and let children organize pairs of symbols. Children can also use the cards to play a game of memory. This activity helps children with object recognition and matching.
T is for Turkey Lesson
Using this T is for Turkey worksheet, children will learn to trace the letter T. Students will also learn that turkey is a symbol of Thanksgiving. Explain the significance of the turkey with respect to Thanksgiving, then invite the children to trace upper and lowercase T’s.
Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts for Preschoolers
Turkey Place Mats
Children can dip their hand in finger paint and press it on a place mat sized sheet of construction paper or any other sturdy paper. After the paint has dried, help students decorate the hand print so that it looks like a turkey using any decorative items you have on hand. Place mats can then be laminated or covered with contact paper.
Autumn Leaves Candle Centerpiece
Preschool Rock has come up with a simple but stunning candle centerpiece that older preschool children can create. This centerpiece features autumn leaves, a great symbol of Thanksgiving.
The materials needed are:
- Red and orange construction paper
- Tea light candles
- Glue and scissors
- Picture frames with glass
- Autumn leaves printable template
Templates and instructions are provided on the Preschool Rock website. This centerpiece can highlight students’ Thanksgiving table at home.
Thanksgiving Cards
Children can create and decorate Thanksgiving cards for their families from construction paper. Ask children why they love their families and about the things they are thankful for and include this inside the card.
Teachers and daycare providers, with a little imagination, can also create Thanksgiving activities and lesson plans in the areas of fine and gross motor development, dramatic play, group play, and math and science. For more preschool and daycare activity resources, see Online Preschool Plans.
Carla Snuggs - As a writer for Suite101.com since 2005, it is a privilege to continue on as theTopic Editor for the subject of Day Care. I received a ...
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