Animal Pretend play for toddlers and twos
A child is on the floor, on all fours, looks up at an adult with eager eyes, and barks. Mom responds, “I see that I have a new puppy in the house ! I heard your loud bark. I see your eager eyes. It looks like the puppy wants to play.”
Children LOVE to pretend to be animals. Even children younger than 18 months old are acute observers of the world, and begin to imitate what they see how others… or other ANIMALS… act . WATCH ! and when you see these imitations, let it develop into a learning experience. … HOW?
FIRST, specifically describe what the child is doing, with a focus on “I see you…” This not only encourages the child sense of self and confidence in their abilities, but it also helps increase their language skills and vocabulary (which they will grasp quickly because of their strong interest).
Then encourage them to expand, lead them to consider what else a puppy would do. “It looks like the puppy wants to play. What shall we do today, puppy?” Again, continue to describe their actions, interpreting for their “animal language”. Play along as the puppy’s owner, asking what the puppy needs to be happy. These are open ended questions that help guides their imagination, and allows them to remain the creative “leader” of this playful activity.
If they need some further encouragement, (some are too young to know the options, some are overwhelmed with the many options) ask simple choice questions, like “Is the puppy begging for a scratch behind the ear, or does he want his belly rubbed?” Or if there is time, “Would the puppy like to go for a walk, or play ball in the back yard?” Then it becomes easy for them to decide, and can become creative again once they get started that direction.
After a bit of open play, it may be wonderful to learn more about that type of animal, through active observation of your own pet (describing what they are doing) or reading a book featuring their favorite animal, or singing a song about that animal that includes the animal doing some of the typical things that animal does.
This will help them expand their knowledge of options for that animal, which will be fun to include during the next play session. Will they bring this new action into the play themselves? Or will you gently add that in through a choice question? During each new play session, WATCH to see what the child will ADD that is NEW for them. It is amazing how quickly they can learn so much about an animal they are interested in.
Pretend Play develops over time through a specific set of steps, and according to the experiences that child has. One of my previous blog postings “A Parents Guide to the Stages of Pretend Play” goes through those stages specifically in a more formal way.
But today is a good day to just get in a few good ideas and enjoy animal play with your young child. My next few blogs will contain some fun SONGS and RESOURCES that are about specific animals, which you can USE in your fun play. PLEASE feel free to ADD your thoughts about books, songs, rhymes, and simple PLAY ideas for our young “animal” friends.
In the Fiddle Dee Dee semester of Kindermusik Our Time, we are fully exploring lots of animals, the ways they move, the sounds, they make, and the things they LIKE and DO. We are in the midst of enjoying rhymes, songs, and stories encouraging interactive animal play. If you’d like to visit a class, check out www.kindermusik.com, to find a class near you.
If you are already part of MY Kindermusik class, or the class of another teacher… TELL ME… which animals would YOU like to see the focus on.
I must end by sharing a story. One of my best friends daughter, and her cousin, were enthralled with squirrels. They pretended to be squirrels regularly throughout an entire YEAR ! With squirrel next “forts” in the living room, short tree climbing, and halloween costumes, they explored every aspect of being a squirrel.
Which animal does YOUR child like to pretend to be?
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Summer Kindermusik Adventures and Top Ten Reasons to Enroll
Summer is here, and Kindermusik lives up to the challenge that presents. Kindermusik Summer Adventure Camps have been designed for each age group, AND for families. Children and families are truly excited to attend classes, each week for 5 weeks, AND to continue these songs and activities throughout their play during the weeks, making your summer filled with music, joy, and laughter.
Please follow the links to more detailed information about summer programs that might be right for your family. And please scroll down on this posting to find the Top Ten Reasons to enroll.
Summer Kindermusik Adventures with Babies
Summer Kindermusik Adventures with Toddlers, Walkers
Summer Kindermusik Adventures with Preschoolers
Summer Kindermusik Adventures with early elementary ages
Kindermusik educators may also offer creative alternatives for families, using the following curriculum:
ABC, Music & Me
Summer is so full of things that make it special, so join us in celebrating these in a musical way!
Find an educator near you through the Educator Locator at www.kindermusik.com , where you will be able to view all the educators AND their schedules in one place.
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Top Ten Reasons to Take Kindermusik Adventure Camp This Summer
10. New music that is not only fantastic for your child’s development, but is interesting listening for the whole family
9. A safe environment for you to play and be silly with your child without out fear of ridicule.
8. A chance to get to meet and know other families with children your child’s age.
7. Books and instruments to take home and continue the play throughout the year.
6. An air conditioned activity for the dog days of summer.
5. Weekly opportunity to focus completely on your child and remind yourself how creative and unique he is.
4. Egg shakers – need I say more?
3. Bubbles, parachutes and singing together – time to be a kid again.
2. Summer session is only 5 weeks long. A great way to try us out.
and the #1 reason to sign up for Kindermusik this summer….
1. Kindermusik activities strengthens your child’s brain and affects every area of her development.
A Good Beginning Never Ends — why not get started now?
(Thanks Miss Christa for a great Top Ten list! See her blog: http://misschrista.wordpress.com – Athens Co., Ohio)
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Summer Kindermusik Adventures with Toddlers, Walkers
Children, from 18 months to 3 1/2 years, love ANIMALS – acting like them, sounding like them, moving like them. Each one of these semesters focuses on a specific area where cool creatures are found, the beach/ocean, the zoo, and even your backyard. These classes are just so much fun, I want to teach them over and over, and I have – several times. And they are more fun each time I teach them – the songs are so catchy, the music just makes you WANT to MOVE, the activities are so engaging, and the props and crafts are such hands-on fun, it’s hard to wait for the summer to teach them. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Each educator will choose, from the following units, which to offer during their summer program.
Creatures at the Ocean
Sing sailor songs and make the ocean count. “Five little seashells lying on the shore: Swish! Went the waves and then there were four.” Jump over the waves, squawk like a seagull, chirp like a dolphin, swim like a whale. Oh, there’s so much fun to be had at the beach. Materials include: A FABULOUS CD, Seashell Castanets, Storycard set and Picture Folder set. Educators often choose to include several crafts, and some even offer unique snacks based on the themes. It’s amazing how easy it is to make a wave drum, and the there are so many sounds the children can explore with it.
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Creatures in My Backyard
Give your child something to sing about in her own backyard. Be the flower from the “seed’s” perspective. Run and jump in rain puddles made from hula hoops. Snack on whole wheat mini-waffles dipped in honey, just like a real honeycomb. Shoo real flies and sing “Shoo Fly.”Home Materials include: CD, Bunny Puppet, and Picture Folders set. Educators often choose to include several crafts, and some even offer unique snacks based on the themes. Making worm bodies out of panty hose, or eating gummy worms in Oreo dirt, these students get multi-sensory experiences to support their learning.
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Zoo Train!
Your toddler and the train make a natural match—always on the move. Tag along this summer with a traveling zoo train. Bring your own stuffed animals for the petting zoo. Wear long white socks on your hands for polar bear paws and learn about real animals in the zoo. Sing songs for clapping time, and use music to help toddlers regulate emotions. Home Materials include: Book, CD, Animal Shaker, and Poster. Educators often choose to include several crafts, and some even offer unique snacks based on the themes. Have you ever tried making penguins that can’t fall down out of those little plastic easter eggs? It’s fun!
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Find an educator near you at www.kindermusik.com . The educator locator includes ALL the teachers near you, as well as many of their full schedules, and contact information so you can get in on all this fun.
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Kindermusik in Florida 
