810-Uncttttr Farming, Saturday. Novambtr 26, 1994
Kids
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Activities With Bear Hugs
It’s naptime and the children cry
out, "Not yet. We want to play.”
Or, it’s time to put toys away
and that means cleanup.
Or maybe it’s meal or snack
time, and the children are noisy.
A series of Bear Hugs books
encourages children into a quiet
restful mood, another gives ideas
on how to turn cleanup time into
fun time and meal time into happy
times.
The 24-page books written by
Patty Claycomb and illustrated by
Marion Hopping Ekberg is
designed for caregivers to help
offer a positive approach when
dealing with group behavior of
young children.
Each book is full of ideas to put
fun into teaching while getting
desired results.
Here are some activities from
the books. For more information
on the books, which sell for $3.95
each, call 1-800-334-4769, ext.
244.
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THE HUNGRY RHYME
After the children are seated at
the table, say the following rhyme
as they act out the motions.
I am hungry and I want to eat.
(Rub tummy)
But am I ready for my treat?
First I’m going to check my feet
(Point to feet)
Two quiet mice, under my seat
(Put feet under chair)
Now for my hands, they’re quiet
too,
(Hold up hands)
Just like the crocodiles in the zoo.
/2&7 /&qI /307
NOISY QUIET RHYME
Try this Bear Hug to encourage
children to begin eating in a calm
and happy manner.
I can roar like a dinosaur.
(Roar)
I can stomp my feet.
(Stomp feet)
I can clap my hands.
(Clap hands)
I can sit in my seat.
(Sit very still in chair)
Tell the children that was the noisy
part of the rhyme. Have them low
er their voices while they say the
final quiet verse.
I can roar in a whisper.
(Roar very quietly)
I can tap my feet
(tap feet)
I can twiddle my fingers,
(Wiggle fingers)
Now I’m ready to eat
(Place hands in lap)
•••
/* ' c *Cj
(Place hands on table)
There’s a small buzz coming out of
me.
(Buzz quietly)
My voice is as quiet as a
bumblebee
(Hold finger to lips)
Now I’m ready, as you can see.
(Sit up straight in chair)
And hungry as a bear can be!
(Rub tummy)
If the children need a reminder
to be more quiet during the meal,
ask questions such as these: "What
should your feet be like? Are your
hands quiet like crocodiles?"
s- >
Have children make up their
own Noisy-Quiet Rhyme. Ask them
to suggest four noisy actions and
three quiet actions. Always end the
rhyme with "Now I’m ready to
eat.” (Don't worry about words
that rhyme. Results are what
count).
THE BEAR CAVE
If your children are having trou
ble seeing what needs to be
cleaned up, try this Bear Hug.
Ask the children to sit on the
rug. Have them pretend that they
are baby bear cubs and that you
are the mama or papa bear. Then
say the rhyme.
Now listen, my bear cubs.
I’ve something to say.
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v* s' ' *
Clean-a-Saurus
Use this Bear Hug to encourage cooperation and speed at cleanup
time.
Tell the children the Clean-a-saurus would like to visit them today, but
he will only come if the room is all cleaned up. Then sing thefirstfive ver
ses of the following song. When the room is all cleaned up, get out the toy
dinosaur and make it dance around the room while you sing the last verse.
Sung to: “Kookaburra”
Clean-a-saurus is coming to our room today,
Hurry, let s clean so he’ll want to stay.
Clean everybody, clean everybody,
Clean this mess away.
Clean-a-saurus has a great big nose,
He looks for messes wherever he goes
Clean everybody, clean everybody,
Clean this mess away.
Clean-a-saurus has two big eyes,
That open when a mess he spies.
Clean everybody, clean everybody,
Clean this mess away.
Clean-a-saurus has two big ears,
That perk up when a mess is near.
Clean everybody, clean everybody, *
Clean this mess away.
Clean-a-saurus has giant hands,
To feel messes small or grand.
Clean everybody, clean everybody.
Clean this mess away.
Clean-a-saurus likes to dance and play,
Round the room when it’s cleaned this way.
Thanks everybody, thanks everybody,
For cleaning up today.
Our cave is a mess.
Let’s clean it today.
Each one of you grab
A broom or a towel,
’Cause when I see a mess,
I just want to growl.
When everything’s clean.
Come back to our rug.
And I’ll give each of you
A “thank you” bear hugl
Have the children clean up the
room. As they are working, walk
around to check on the messes.
When you seee a mess, stand by it
and growl until some children
come to clean it up. After thr room
is clean, have the children come
back to the rug and give each child
who wants one a great big bear
hug.