Author: S. J. Little

Easter – 2.E – Add A Little

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

Add A Little – 2 Year Old Curriculum – Unit E

Easter

Developmental Focus: Hand-Eye Coordination

Want to learn more? Check out the Add A Little 2Y Parent / Teacher Guide

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

Muscle Moving

Easter Egg Ramp Slide

Supplies:

  • Large cardboard box or other way to make a ramp
  • Plastic Easter Eggs (or other things that roll)
  • Optional: Basket or other open-top container

Prep:

  • Find a stable way to make a ramp using the box.

Time to Play:

  • Invite your child(ren) to join you rolling the eggs down the ramp.
  • Try mixing it up to see what happens. Does the egg roll faster if it has something heavy inside it? Does it roll as fast as a toy car?
  • For a bigger challenge, try catching the rolling eggs in the basket before they reach the floor. This works best if your ramp has a drop at the end high enough to hold the basket under.

Brain Boosting

Easter Egg Painting

Supplies:

  • Plastic Easter Eggs that spilt into two halves. (Alternatively use empty paper tower rolls or toilet paper rolls.)
  • 2-3 Colours of washable paint – think Easter colours: yellow, pink, light blue, light green. (Alternatively use washable ink pads.)
  • 1 Wide shallow container per colour. (Wide enough to easily dip the egg in – paper plates could work.)
  • Paper
  • Optional: Paint shirt

Prep:

  • Prepare a table to paint on. If needed, cover it with a tablecloth, garbage bag, or newspaper.
  • Pour a thin layer of paint into each container.
  • Place one egg half or roll in each container of paint.

Time to Play:

  • Set a piece of paper in front of each child. Show them how dip the Easter egg half into the paint and then touch it on your paper creating a circle of paint.
  • Encourage them to make many circles on their paper.

Let’s Sing

Here Is A Bunny

This fun bunny song does not mention Easter making it flexible for use in various settings as a spring or Easter song.

Let’s Read

Find Spot At Easter
By: Eric Hill

A fun lift-the-flap book with plenty of spring animals, a few Easter eggs, and no Easter Bunny or religious content.

Let’s Sing

Christian Song

He Rose Again and Lives Today
Words by S. J. Little

Read the lyrics here.

Let’s Read

Bible Story

Jesus’ Death and Resurrection
John 18-20

Beginner’s Bible Chapters:
Jesus Is Arrested and Crucified
Jesus Is Risen!
Page 446

He Rose Again And Lives Today – Easter Song

Posted on by S. J. Little

This Christian Easter song was born out of my desire to have an extremely simple preschool song that captures the heart of Easter.

I value songs that are simple enough for a 3 year old to sing, and hold truth worth hiding in their hearts for the rest of their lives.

Have fun teaching this simple little song to a preschooler in your life!

 

Note these are original words by S. J. Little designed to be sang with the familiar tune of Row Row Row Your Boat.

Tune: Row Row Row Your Boat

Words by: S. J. Little

 

Jesus died for me;

He died upon the cross.

He rose again and lives today,

So I can live with Him.

Empty Tomb at Easter

Looking for more Christian preschool songs? Check out Another 7 Simple Christian Songs for Preschoolers

Drip Drip Drip

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

“Would you like some juice?” I asked.

“Yes,” my toddler replied from where she lay sick with a fever on the couch.

I fetched the little cup with a built-in straw from the fridge. It had a valve in the straw enabling me to tip it upside down without spilling. Surely it would be okay in the living room.

I set it beside my toddler, then scooped up my baby from where he stood leaning against the couch.

“I have to put your brother down for his nap. I’ll be back in a minute or two.”

My toddler took a sip of juice. “Okay.”

In the bedroom, I proceeded with my baby’s bedtime routine: drink water, put on sleep sack, read story, bounce while singing the “Prayer For My Child” song, then into his crib.

That done, I returned to the living room.

That was when I saw it. Beside my toddler, who was still on the couch where I had left her, was the straw cup. The cup rested on its side.

As I approached, one drip escaped.

Remaining calm, I quickly scooped up the cup.

Apparently, more than one drip had escaped.

There, on the couch, was a wet spot as large as the palm of my hand. I had only been gone a few short minutes.

Fetching a clean cloth, I pressed the drenched spot to absorb as much liquid out of it as possible, but it was a lost cause.

Giving up, I sighed. At least it was just watered-down apple juice on a brown couch.

A short while later, when I had a chance to lie down for a few minutes because I was sick with the same bug, it occurred to me that my actions are like that cup.

I thought the straw cup was a safe one to use in the living room because it didn’t spill, even when turned upside down. However, given enough time, one drip escapes. Then another drip escapes.

Before long, those slow but steady drips create a sizable spill.

My actions are like that. I may think they are inconsequential or “safe”, but, if I continue in them, they create a notable impact.

One small action after another, after another, after another… That’s how big impacts are made, whether for good or for evil.

Next time I am about to do something I believe is unimpactful, I would be wise to pause and consider the outcome. Will it lead to what is helpful or what is harmful?

In Galatians 6:7-8, I read:

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (NIV)

The following verse holds valuable encouragement.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV

Lord, please help me be intentional to do what will lead to good for me and for those around me.

My Name – 2.7 – Add A Little

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

Add A Little – 2 Year Old Curriculum – Unit 7

My Name

Developmental Focus: Letter Recognition

Want to learn more? Check out the Add A Little 2Y Parent / Teacher Guide

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

Muscle Moving

Letter Hop

Supplies:

  • 1 sheet of paper for each letter in your child’s name
  • A marker
  • Optional: Tape

Prep:

  • In large letters, write one letter of your child’s name on each sheet of paper.
  • Alternatively, for a large class:
    • Consider doing only the first letter of each child’s name.
    • Or choose 5 letters, such as “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, and “E”. Write “A” on 4 sheets of paper so that when you call “A” every child has room to be touching one of the sheets that says “A”.
  • Place the papers on the floor spaced wide enough to jump from one to the next like stepping stones. 
  • Optional: Test how slippery the paper is on your floor. If needed, consider tapping each paper to the floor.

Time to Play:

  • Show your child how to jump from one paper to the next stating the name of the letter as you jump to it.
  • Encourage your child to try.
  • After jumping on the letters in order for a while, change it up by asking simple questions. “Can you find the ‘S’?” “Now where is the ‘J’?”
  • For advanced children, add another layer to the challenge by adding an action or other instruction.
  • For example, “Can you stomp to the ‘L’?” “Now put your thumb on the ‘T’.”

Brain Boosting

Masking Tape Name Craft

Supplies:

  • Thicker paper (ideally cardstock or cardboard)
  • Paints (watercolor or washable paint works, alternatively, this activity can be done with markers or crayons)
  • Masking tape
  • Note: Some types of paper and/or tape work better for this activity than others. If doing the activity with several children, consider doing a test picture of your own to see how well your supplies work.

Prep:

  • Using the tape, write your child’s name on the paper. Consider using all caps because capital letters will be easier to create with tape. (See example below.)

Time to Play:

  • Show your child the paper with their name in tape. Point out each letter, naming it as you go.
    Give them the paints and encourage them to paint on the whole paper, including on top of the tape.
  • Tip: The more your child paints where the tape meets the paper, the better the end result will be. If needed, you can paint some yourself to help.
  • Allow the painting to dry.
  • Once the painting is dry, carefully pull the tape off the paper. Your child’s name should show clearly.
  •  

The example below is made using crayon instead of paint. Note how much contrast to white is needed along the edges of the letters.

     

Let’s Sing

ABC Song(s)

This video begins with the classic ABC Song. If you don’t already sing this song, it is a good place to start. If you’ve got that version mastered, continue listening to learn four other ways to sing the ABCs.

Link mentioned in the video: http://melissa.depperfamily.net/blog/early-literacy-storytime-singing-abcs/ 

Let’s Read

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Authors: Bill Martin, Jr. & John Archambault
Illustrator: Lois Ehlert

Let’s Sing

Christian Song

The B-I-B-L-E

Find the words and actions here.

Let’s Read

Bible Story

Do Not Worry
Matthew 6:25-34

Beginner’s Bible Chapter:
Jesus Teaches on a Mountain
Page 318

Bonus Suggestion: Interested in a fun new ABC song to listen to? Check out Noah’s ABCs by Amy Essen.

Licking Floor Vents

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

I set my baby on the kitchen floor and opened the fridge to get the leftover containers out for lunch.

“He’s getting so good at belly crawling,” I commented to my 2-year-old. “Pretty soon he’ll be up on his hands and knees doing proper crawling.”

I fetched a serving spoon and began putting food on our plates.

I turned to my 2-year-old. “Do you want your food warm or cold?”

She glanced at the table from where she was on the floor, busy building with magnetic blocks. “Cold.”

I glanced at my baby who had lost interest in the blue car he had been playing with and was now making his way across the kitchen floor.

I put my plate of food in the microwave and turned it on.

I filled our water glasses, then looked over at my baby again. He was studying the wall. Perhaps he liked the texture of the paint?

Hearing the microwave beep, I turned to retrieve my food.

When I glanced back at him, he was just reaching the furnace vent in the floor.

“Careful,” I warned him, “that could have sharp parts.”

Of course, he didn’t understand me. He continued touching the vent.

I set my hot food on the table and headed in his direction.

Then, to my disgust, I saw him put his head down on the floor vent and lick the metal grate.

“No, no,” I said, scooping him up. “We don’t lick floor vents.”

As I carried him towards the table, I spotted movement out of the corner of my eye.

My 2-year-old had left her blocks and was crawling. She was making a beeline for the very vent I’d just pulled my baby away from.

With a giggle, she licked the floor vent.

This incident is one of the more memorable times my 2-year-old copied my baby. She’d never thought to lick a floor vent before, but here she was doing it because her baby brother decided to give it a try.

There have been many other times my 2-year-old has desired to mimic our baby. She has wanted to be carried more. She has reverted to requesting to be spoon-fed. If I give my baby a biting toy, she wants one too.

In truth, such desires to be more “baby-like” are common in toddlers who have a new baby in the house. Indeed, even in the area of potty training, many fully trained toddlers have gone back to diapers when the new baby arrives.

Why share this story? Because I am similar to my daughter. Whether I realize it or not, I mimic those around me.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, unless I mimic those who set foolish or harmful examples.

In my walk with God, I am to be growing towards maturity (Heb. 5:11-14, James 1:4).

Likewise, my toddler is supposed to be growing in ability and intelligence.

When she mimics her baby brother, she is going backwards in her development. She is becoming more baby-like.

So who am I mimicking?

Are they influencing me towards maturity in Jesus, or away from it?

It’s worth taking time to consider the influence of my family, friends, and church leaders.

I like how it is put in Hebrews 13:7 – “Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.” (CSB)

On top of that, which authors/influencers/musicians am I listening to? What influence do they have on me?

If, when I look around, it seems no one is influencing me towards a deeper relationship with Jesus, it may be time to make some changes.

One of those changes could simply be reading a biography of a Christian who had a deep personal relationship with Jesus.

My favourites include:

  • Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
  • Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret by  Dr. Howard Taylor
  • Seeking Allah Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi

I was recently reminded of the encouragement podcasts can give when I listened to “Women Worth Knowing” by Cheryl Broderson and Robin Jones Gunn, “Enduring Words” by David Guzik, and “Laugh Again” by Phil Callaway.

Ultimately it is Jesus whose example I am to follow.

All these other examples ought to point me towards Him. As Paul put it: “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1 CSB)

Being intentional to keep times of prayer and Bible reading in my daily life is critical for this.

As I go forward, may I be aware of how I am being influenced. May I be intentional to seek out those who would influence me towards Jesus. May I grow towards maturity in my walk with Jesus.