Author: S. J. Little

Four Seasons – 4.1 – Add A Little

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

Add A Little – 4 Year Old Curriculum – Unit 1

Four Seasons

Disclaimer: All activities require adult supervision and discretion. Read more...

Want to learn more about Add A Little Curriculum? Check out the Parent / Teacher Guide

Ready, Set, Move

Spring’s Coming

Prep:

  • Clear a large area for active play
  • For your own reference, write down which commands you will use. Have a few extra at the bottom of the list in case your children need an added challenge. Options include:
    • Spring – be a growing flower: crouch low and move your arms upwards until you are standing tall. Spread your arms wide like a flower.
    • Summer – pretend to go swimming to cool off
    • Fall -pretend your hands are leaves: reach up high with your hands then have them float gently to the ground.
    • Winter – pretend to put on winter clothing – snow pants, boots, coat, toque, mittens.
    • Could add directions: run to North, East, South, or West. (These would be easier to remember if you put up letter posters for each side. Keep each direction on its true compass direction since your children may use these as a reference point in the future.
  • For an added challenge, could use partner actions that involve two children or all the children.
  • Optional: Consider making visual cues for each action. For example, hold a yellow object for summer, orange for autumn, white for winter, and green for spring.

Time to Play:

  • Gather your children and explain that you are going to play “Spring’s Coming”. They will walk around the area until you call a command. When you call that command, they stop and do the action wherever they happen to be standing.
  • Show them two or three actions to begin with.
  • Play with those actions until your children get the hang of it, then you can add in more actions one or two at a time.
  • Have fun and smile. Participate with your children by doing the actions too.

Explore, Learn, Create

Cloud Names

Academic Focus: Name Writing

Supplies:

  • White paper
  • 1 blue paper per child
  • Optional: yellow paper (to make a sun)
  • Crayons to decorate with
  • Child-safe scissors
  • Glue stick (or tape)

Prep:

  • On the white paper, draw enough cloud shapes to have one cloud shape per letter of each child’s name.
  • Decide whether you will cut out the cloud shapes or have your child cut them out. If you will cut them out, do that now.
  • Consider making a sample picture with your name to show your children.

Time to Create:

  • If you made one, show your child the example picture, if not, show them the supplies. Explain that they are going to write their name on the clouds.
  • Have your child cut out the clouds, unless you already cut them out.
  • Help your child line up the correct number of clouds for the letters in their name.
  • Encourage your child write one letter of their name on each cloud.
  • Name Writing Tip: If needed, use a yellow marker to write your child’s letters for them, then give your child a dark coloured crayon to trace over top. Be encouraging. It won’t be prefect. (Emphasize how they draw the letters, i.e. starting at the top and the order of which part of the letter to draw first. Don’t worry about proper grasp yet.)
  • Help your child glue the clouds on the blue paper in order.
  • Optional: Decorate the picture by adding a sun or drawing rain, etc.

Let’s Sing

What’s the Weather

Let’s Read

In the Middle of Fall

Author: Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Laura Dronzek

Check out their books about other seasons as well.

Let’s Sing

Christian Song

Seasons: God Made It So

Let’s Read

BIBLE

Read the next story in the picture Bible you are working your way through.

Parent / Teacher Guide – Add A Little Curriculum – 4 Year Old

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

Add A Little – 4 Year Old Curriculum – Intro

Parent / Teacher Guide

 

Intro

Why name a curriculum “Add A Little”? Because that’s exactly what this curriculum is designed to do – add a little enhancement to your child’s development. Through games, crafts, activities, books, and songs, AAL inspires a love of learning. This light curriculum was developed with the busy parent or caretaker in mind.

 

Academic Focus for 4 Year Olds

Generally speaking, Kindergarten begins at age 5, that means 4 year olds are in their final year of preparing for Kindergarten. With that in mind, the Add A Little Curriculum (AAL) for 4 year olds includes an intentional but gentle focus on four areas of preparation for Kindergarten: Alphabet, Numbers, Fine Motor Skills, and Broad Knowledge. In every unit, either the Ready, Set, Move activity or the Explore, Learn, Create craft will have a strong academic focus touching on these areas.

Want to know more about preparing for Kindergarten? Check out: https://sjlittle.ca/preschool/ready-for-kindergarten-academically/

Don’t forget to read the Tips for Success below.

 

Table of Contents

Each Unit Includes:

  • Theme
  • Ready, Set, Move       
  • Explore, Learn, Create
  • Let’s Sing
  • Let’s Read
  • Let’s Sing a Christian Song
  • Let’s Read the Bible

Units

Tips for Success When Using Add A Little Curriculum

Disclaimer

Helpful Links

Each Unit Includes:

Theme

Every unit has an engaging theme selected specifically for 4 year olds. These themes aim to introduce more advanced topics to your child to capture their interest.

 

Ready, Set, Move

Physical exercise plays a vital role in healthy brain development. That’s why every unit includes a game to get kids up and moving.

 

Explore, Learn, Create

Not only are crafts engaging for most preschoolers, these activities are also a fantastic way to develop the fine motor skills needed for writing with proper pencil grasp.

 

Let’s Sing

Preschool action songs are not only fun, they are valuable for developing language skills, vestibular sense, and proprioception. Many of the songs used in AAL also have educational elements making learning fun.

Want more song ideas? Check out this list of Simple Preschool Songs: https://sjlittle.ca/preschool/big-list-of-simple-preschool-songs/

 

Let’s Read

If you want your child to love reading later, teach them to love books now. Reading together grows vocabulary and broad knowledge. It also gives an excellent opportunity for gently introducing science and social skills. Regardless of whether you read the exact books recommended in each unit or not, taking the time to regularly read high quality books with your child will reap huge rewards.

Pinterest links:

 

Let’s Sing a Christian Song

Beyond all the general benefits of singing, Christian songs instill timeless truths in your child’s heart.

Want more Christian songs? Visit: https://sjlittle.ca/preschool/7-simple-christian-songs-for-preschoolers/

 

Let’s Read the Bible

4 year olds are ready for regular children’s Bible reading. There will not be specific Bible stories suggested with each unit. Instead, pick up “The Beginner’s Bible” and make a habit of reading one story per day, or one story per week, and read your way through the whole Bible.

For more information visit: https://www.thebeginnersbible.com/products/

Units

Every month, one new unit is released. Here is a list of units that have already been released:

Unit 1: Four Seasons

 

Tips for Success When Using Add A Little Curriculum

  • Writing Their Own Name: While learning to write the ABCs is generally considered a kindergarten skill, learning to write one’s own name is a great skill for 4 year olds. While there are many techniques for doing this, one gentle way to make a habit of practicing name writing is to have your child write their name on the back of every craft they do. Don’t expect perfection. Don’t worry about pencil grasp yet. Keep it fun. Their skill will slowly improve.
  • Engage: Engage with your children. Be interested and involved in the learning fun.
  • Adapt: Read the lesson ahead of time and be prepared to adapt. Units don’t have to be followed exactly.
  • Teach the Next Thing: Watch what your child is capable of doing independently, then teach them how to do the next thing.
  • Read: Look up the unit theme at your local library to find more books you can borrow for low cost. Then read, read, read to your kids. A love of books is foundational for leaning to love reading by themselves.

Want More?

Do you want to receive notification of each new unit of the Add A Little 4 Year Old Curriculum when it is released? Join S. J. Little’s preschool email list today.

 

 

Disclaimer

All activities require adult supervision and discretion.

Every aspect of the Add A Little Curriculum is suggested with the expectation that it will be done under adult supervision. Some activities include potential hazards. You and your child(ren) participate at your own discretion.

Every child, family, setting, and circumstance is different. Recommended tips and/or activities in this curriculum may work well for some children but not for others. Adult discretion is required. In some cases, you will need to adapt the curriculum to fit you and your child(ren)’s specific needs.

 

Helpful Links

Smoother Transitions: https://sjlittle.ca/preschool/smoother-transitions/

Books for Preschoolers and Toddlers: https://ca.pinterest.com/sjlittleauthor/books-for-preschoolers-and-toddlers/

Longer Books for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners: https://ca.pinterest.com/sjlittleauthor/longer-books-for-preschoolers-and-kindergarteners/

Toy Rotation: https://sjlittle.ca/preschool/toy-rotation/

Getting Ready for Kindergarten https://sjlittle.ca/preschool/ready-for-kindergarten-academically/

Scissor Skills https://sjlittle.ca/preschool/scissors-and-preschoolers/

Infrequent Watering

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

I stepped into the kitchen. Time to make supper.

My eyes roamed the room as I pondered what to make for our evening meal.

The plants on top of the cupboards caught my attention.

I frowned. 

My spider plant was looking pale green and wilty. My pothos was drooping. My Christmas cactus appeared to be handling the man-made drought reasonably well, but it wasn’t thriving.

I needed to water them. It had been far too long.

The problem was, they were up high, beyond my reach, unless I climbed on a kitchen chair.

I heard the pitter patter of little feet behind me.

My 2 year old entered the kitchen. The very 2 year old who had pushed a chair to the kitchen counter to pull a bowl out of the cupboard all by himself the other day…

I glanced at the top shelf plants with a sigh. They’d have to wait until later. I wasn’t foolish enough to set an example of climbing on a kitchen chair to reach something even higher in front of my son. Who knew what mischief he would get into, bolstered by my example?

I would have to remember to water them later, once the kids were in bed.

Setting my concern about my plants aside, I turned to my son with a cheery smile.

“Let’s find something for you to do at the table while I make supper.”

Why do I bring up this scene? Because it has an important reminder for me, and perhaps you will find it valuable as well.

When I picture my walk with God as a plant, I am reminded that I need to be intentional to water my plant.

If my walk with Jesus isn’t receiving enough water, it won’t thrive. It will wilt.

True, water isn’t the only factor needed to make plants thrive. They need the right amount of sunlight, good soil, and nutrients.

Perhaps having my heart in the right place – humble and trusting God – can be represented by the sunlight a plant needs. Without sunlight, no amount of watering will make a plant grow. Likewise, without my heart in the right place my walk with Jesus will not function.

That said, a plant will not grow and thrive without regular watering no matter how perfect the other factors are.

The plants on my top shelf show this clearly.

Indeed, it is especially evident when you consider my spider plant.

My sister gave me my spider plant from her larger plant. At the same time, she gave a spider plant of the same age to my mom.

My mom’s spider plant has been well watered. It has been strategically placed to receive the right type of light.

In contrast, my poor spider plant is up on a high shelf so the kids don’t get it, and it has certainly been under watered.

My mom’s spider plant is thriving. It is lush green, much bigger than mine, and beginning to reproduce.

My plant is smaller, often pale, and nowhere near ready to reproduce.

As with these spider plants, I must be watering my walk with Jesus if I want it to grow and thrive.

So how do I water my relationship with Jesus? Bible reading, Bible teaching, prayer, singing praise, and fellowship.

I need to be intentional to make it a regular practice to read or listen to the Bible for myself.

Finding Biblically sound Bible teaching pastors to listen to or read books by is also incredibly valuable. (One of my favorites is Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel.)

Spending time in prayer – conversation with God – is vital. Someone once equated prayer to breathing in order to convey just how essential it is to spiritual life.

There are many ways to pray. Praying by oneself or praying with others. Praying for practical needs, praying for spiritual growth, and prayers of praise for who God is. Taking time for each of these can refresh and strengthen my walk with God. 

Singing worship songs (even more than just listening to them) helps turn my focus back to Jesus.

Fellowship is time spent with other Christians. Encouraging and being encouraged by each other – serving and being served. Discussing the things of God.

Regular attendance at a Bible teaching church covers most of these elements, but once a week is not enough.

I am not a cactus that only needs occasional watering.

I need to be watering my walk with Jesus daily, even better if hourly.

This can looked very different in different seasons of life. Making regular habits can help me consistently add water to my walk with Jesus.

Some possibilities include reading my Bible first thing, or listening to a 5 minute devotional (like this podcast by David Guzik).

I can build in regular times of prayer for my family, missionaries, and prayers of thanksgiving. On top of that, I can find a couple of friends to meet with regularly to pray for our church, community, and country.

Today, may I seek out one more way to add water to my walk with Jesus and begin to make that a regular habit.

 

What are some of your regular habits that water your walk with Jesus? Feel free to share in the comments below.

Water Fun – 3.10 – Add A Little

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

Add A Little – 3 Year Old Curriculum – Unit 10

Water Fun

Disclaimer: All activities require adult supervision and discretion. Read more...

Want to learn more about Add A Little Curriculum? Check out the Parent / Teacher Guide

Movement Moment

Spot and Spray

Supplies:

  • One or more spray bottles (clean), alternatively use water guns
  • Chalk

Prep:

  • Choose an area outside where you can write with chalk and spray it off.

Time to Play:

  • Write several letters spaced out around your playing area. (Alternatively write numbers.)
  • Explain to your child that you will tell them a letter, such as “W”, and they get to find that letter and spray it with water to erase it.
  • Give your child the spray bottle and have them spray the letter you tell them.
  • If you have multiple children playing, give each child a turn to spray one letter, then give each child a turn to spray a second letter, and so on.

Art Activity

Fishing Fun

Caution: This activity involves string, which can pose a strangling risk, and magnets which are harmful if swallowed and pose a choking hazard. Many 3 year olds are mature enough for this activity, but some are not. Adult supervision is required, and adult discretion is necessary as to whether this activity is appropriate for your specific child and setting.

Supplies:

  • String – be sure the string is no longer than 8″ or 20cm. Consider using yarn or other string that has some thickness to it.
  • 1 Stick per child – can use almost anything as the fishing rod stick, from an old washable marker to a 6-12″ or 15-30cm stick from outside.
  • One magnet per fishing rod – keep in mind, magnets are hazardous if swallowed so choose your magnet carefully.
  • Printed Fish Colouring Sheet (or blank paper you to draw your own fish on)
  • 1 Paperclip per fish – double-check that your paperclips are attracted to magnets as not all are.
  • Crayons or other colouring/decorating options
  • Scissors
  • Optional: Glue or tape to help with making fishing rods

Prep:

  • Create one fishing rod per child.
  • Print out the free fish colouring sheet download
  • Optional: Cut the fish out ahead of time. Alternatively let your child cut the fish out after colouring them.

Time to Create:

  • Show your child the fishing rod and explain that you are making fish to catch with it.
  • Give your child the fish to colour with the crayons.
  • Once the fish are decorated and cut out, secure a paperclip on the mouth of each fish.
  • Put the fish on the floor and invite your child to pick them up with the fishing rod.

Five-Minute Focus

Let’s Learn Our Numbers

Number of the Unit:

   10

Number Activity:

Let’s Sing

10 Little Raindrops

Let’s Read

The Berenstain Bears at the Aquarium

Jan & Mike Berenstain

Let’s Sing

Christian Song

Deep and Wide

Let’s Read

BIBLE

Read the next story in the picture Bible you are working your way through. Need recommendations for a good Children’s picture Bible? Click Here

Illuminated Trees

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

With a sigh, I sank into the rocking chair in the quiet room.

What a busy day. The older kids were finally in bed and nearly asleep now.

Alone for the first time all day, I let my eyes scan the scene out my window. The sky behind the house tops and trees carried the deep blue of a recent rainstorm.

My gaze shifted to the room around me as I turned to prayer for discernment regarding an allegory to write next.

When I turned back to the window, the trees caught my attention. They glowed!

The sinking sun behind my house shone brilliantly on the trees, making them stand out vividly against the dark sky.

Just like that, I had an allegory to write. (This one that you are reading now.)

Those trees, so ordinary to me because I saw them every day, stood out now in unmistakable beauty.

I noticed one of the many chimneys visible from my window glowing in stunning sharpness. The rest of the chimneys remained their typical grey and steel.

I pulled out my phone to record these thoughts.

When I paused to look out the window again, lower clouds had drifted into view. They were illuminated against the dark clouds.

An airplane flew by, gleaming in the sunshine.

What a lovely scene.

A few minutes later, the trees faded into typical shades, boring compared to what they had just been. Yet the sky behind them shone cheery pink in the setting sun’s rays.

So what is the allegory, you may be wondering.

To me, this scene of stunning contrast is a picture of how God so often speaks through the Bible.

As someone who has read the entire Bible many times, no passage is brand new to me.

Just like the trees outside my window, the Bible stories, at first glance, are normal.

I should mention that, on the average day, it is not uncommon for my husband and I to comment to each other how pleasant the scene outside our window is with trees and sky, chimneys and airplanes. That said, it is very routine for me to see this scene.

Likewise, reading God’s Word is precious and wonderful, an incredible privilege. Yet I have read it before. It isn’t shiny new.

This evening, however, looking out the window, those trees looked new. They stood out stunningly in the brilliant light of the evening sun.

So often, this is how God speaks through His Word, the Bible. He shines His “Son-shine,” if you will, on a passage making it jump from the page in a way I’ve never noticed before.

The passage comes alive.

If I never took the time to look out the window, and left the blinds closed, I would not see the illuminated trees.

If I never took the time to read the Bible, but left it closed on the shelf, I would miss what God wants to say to me through it.

If I only ever approached the window as a to-do task – to clean the window pane and wipe the dust from the sill – I would very possibly miss seeing the beautiful scene outside.

If I only ever read the Bible to check it off my to-do list, I may or may not notice what God is wanting to say to me.

Indeed there are many days when my Bible reading feels like no more than a task to get done. (This is far better than not opening it at all.)

But what if today, I remember to pause as I go to open my Bible, to ask God to tune my heart to His by teaching me something as I read the Bible.

It may not be fireworks or lightning, but far more often than not, if I slow down, turning my attention towards God as I open the Bible, He has something to teach me.

Oftentimes it is a gentle reminder, or sometimes a new depth of understanding. Occasionally it is a vivid instruction.

Yet how would I hear and learn unless I opened the Bible and began to read?

Likewise, how would I have seen the brilliant trees outside my window, if I had left the curtains closed?

“Your word is a lamp for my feet
and a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 CSB

Today, may I make time to seek God through reading the Bible. He will meet me there.

If you are new to reading the Bible, I highly recommend starting with the book of John.

 

If you are looking for a Bible reading plan, or simply a way to record which chapters you’ve read, I encourage you to print out a copy of my DIY Bible Reading Plan. It’s free for my subscribers. (Already subscribed? Click the Free Downloads link in your email and then scroll down until you find the Bible reading plan).