Add A Little – 1 Year Old Curriculum – Unit E

Easter

Vocabulary: Egg, Surprise, Carton, Inside

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

Let’s Wiggle

Surprise Eggs

Supplies:

  • Plastic Easter Eggs that open and close, large ones if possible. (Alternatively use small boxes or hide the toys in cloths.)
  • Small toys that can hide inside the eggs (but are not choking hazards). Consider:
    • Small stuffed animals
    • Small cars
    • A soother (if still in use)

Prep:

  • Hide one small toy in each egg, then place all of them around the room “hiding” in plain sight.

Time to Play:

  • Hand your child one egg with a toy hiding inside. Encourage them to open it.
  • Next, tell your child there are more eggs hiding around the room. Encourage them to hunt for the eggs. If needed, walk around the room with your child. Be excited when you spot an egg.

Let’s Explore

Egg Carton Insert

Supplies:

  • One empty, clean egg carton
  • Popsicle sticks (alternatively consider Q-tips, spoons, or washable markers if your child can’t open them yet)
  • Optional: Markers or paint

Prep:

  • Turn the egg carton upside down and poke one popsicle stick into the egg carton creating one hole in every place that held an egg.
  • Remove all the popsicle sticks.
  • Optional: For children who have begun sorting things by colour, consider colouring the holes and popsicle sticks to make it a matching game.

Time to Play:

  • Show your child the egg carton and model putting one or two popsicle sticks into the holes.
  • Encourage your child to try.

Let’s Sing

Can You Shake Along With Me?

Grab a couple of plastic Easter eggs (or small plastic containers), put some dried rice or beans inside and use these as your shakers.

Let’s Sing

Christian Song

Ho-Ho-Ho-Hosanna

For lyrics and actions, click here.

Let’s Read

Where Are Baby’s Easter Eggs?
[a Lift-the-flap Book]
Katz, Karen

Let’s Read

Christian Book

The First Easter Day
Author: Jill Roman Lord
Illustator: Kimberley Barnes

 

As a Christian, I believe prayer is valuable and makes a big difference.

In the Bible, God tells us to pray. I have read many stories of times in the Bible and throughout history when God answered someone’s prayer clearly and powerfully. I have seen answered prayer in my own life as well.

However, I’m not here to give you a theology lesson. Rather, I want to share a song with you.

I took the Apostle Paul’s prayer for the Christians in Philippi (Philippians 1:9-11), and adapted it as a simple song that is my prayer for my little one.

Prayer For My Child

Tune: She’ll Be Coming Round The Mountain

Song Writer: S. J. Little

 

 

May you grow to love the Lord with all your heart.

May you grow to love the Lord with all your heart.

May you grow to love the Lord,

May you grow to love the Lord,

May you grow to love the Lord with all your heart.

 

May you know and discern what’s best.

May you know and discern what’s best.

May you know and discern,

May you know and discern,

May you know and discern what’s best.

 

May you be pure and blameless in that day.

May you be pure and blameless in that day.

May you be pure and blameless,

May you be pure and blameless,

May you be pure and blameless in that day.

 

May your life be filled with fruit of righteousness.

May your life be filled with fruit of righteousness.

May your life be filled with fruit,

May your life be filled with fruit,

May your life be filled with fruit of righteousness.

 

May your life be for the glory of the Lord.

May your life be for the glory of the Lord.

May your life be for the glory,

May your life be for the glory,

May your life be for the glory of the Lord.

 

 

Will you join me by praying this for your child(ren)?

 

Are you feeling bored or stuck when it comes to your Christian kid’s music playlist? Then read on to discover three of my favorite Bible-based children’s albums you’ve probably never heard of. I’ve also included a list of honorable mentions you may like.

 

Creature Teachers – Amy Essen

If you are looking for high-quality, variety, and Bible-based kid’s music, this is definitely an album you will want to check out.

This album was released in May 2023. This highly professional album contains 14 songs each based on a different animal mentioned in the Bible. Some of the songs are closely tied to one Bible verse while others share multiple Bible stories or emphasize practical Christian principles.

I’ve been privileged to learn some of the behind the scenes stories and processes that went into this incredible album because I know Amy personally.

Each song is in a different genre including classical, celtic, folk, rap, or boogaloo jazz. In the midst of trumpets, percussion, choir, and so much more, the album carries a vibrant fun tone.

My little one and I have thoroughly been enjoying listening to these songs. I’m sure you will too.

 

Website:

https://amyessen.com/ 

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1I0CAjuTWX05yKehXE1zz7

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@amyessenmusic 

Proverbs – NIV Kids Club – Stan Blair

Do you prefer word-for-word Scripture songs for your children? Then I highly recommend the NIV Kids Club Albums by Stan Blair.

Each song is catchy and simple enough to easily sing along. The songs are in a variety of genres. Some of the songs include fun explanations about the meaning of the verse. All of the songs sing a verse (or two) in the New International Version Bible translation.

I love these songs so much that I purchased all four albums before I had my own kids. They make Bible memorization effortless. When I get one of them stuck in my head (because they are very catchy), I appreciate knowing that they are words from the Bible.

 

Website:

https://nivkidsclub.com/ 

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@NIVKidsClub 

Zone Praise – Awana

Looking for something a little more upbeat? Then this might just be the album for you. I greatly appreciate the meaningful words in these well made songs. I enjoy singing with them even if my little one isn’t around.

Have you heard of the Awana kid’s clubs? They’re a fantastic Christian kid’s group that encourage Bible memorization and well rounded child development.

Did you know they have CDs? Neither did I until a few years ago. When checking out their music, note that the level of quality, style, and target age varies greatly between albums. Some are simple albums aimed to help young children memorize Bible verses. Others, like this one, are high quality Christian kids music.

 

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/album/1LYVmucFsBb4zJiGWuNSmS

Website:

https://www.awana.org/

Honorable Mentions (to give you even more variety)

Steve Green Kids – Gentle high quality word-for-word Scripture songs for kids

Seeds Family Worship – Word-for-word Scripture memory songs 

Go Fish – Full of energy and Biblical truths 

Yancy – Original worship songs for kids

Getty Kids – Hymns chosen for kids 

 

What’s your favorite album of Bible-based kid’s music?

 

Looking for a Christmas song that is simple, fun, and educational? Then this is the song for you.

Sung to the classic tune of Baa Baa Black Sheep, this preschool Christmas song is all about Christmas lights and their colours. Younger children can learn the names of the colours while older children can be challenged to grasp the concept of patterns.

 

Shine, Shine, Christmas Lights

Tune: Baa Baa Black Sheep

Lyrics by: S. J. Little

 

 

Shine, shine, Christmas lights, colours all a-glow.

Red, green, white, blue; pink and yellow too.

Some on the rooftop, some on the tree.

Saying it’s Christmas time, come and see.

Shine, shine, Christmas lights, colours all a-glow.

Red, green, white, blue; pink and yellow too.

 

Consider adding a visual to this song so that your children can see each colour of light as the song mentions it. To help you out, I’ve created a downloadable printable you can use. It’s free when you sign up for my once a month email list. Check it out below.

 

 

There you have it, the Christmas Lights preschool song. Try singing it today with your 2 year old, 3 year old, or 4 year old.

Looking for other fun Christmas songs for your little one? I recommend:

Baby Jesus, Welcome Lord

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Gingerbread Man Song

I’m a Little Christmas Tree

Hand holding nativity scene picturing Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

New Christmas Song for Preschoolers –

Looking for a new, easy, and Biblical Christmas song to sing with your preschoolers? Then you’re in the right place. While this tune is familiar, the words are new. I came up with them in late November 2020. You are welcome to use this song at your home, church, school, and/or childcare. When you do so, please include my name (S. J. Little) as the author so that you and those around you know where to come for more unique preschool ideas.

At Christmas time, we celebrate Jesus’ coming to earth. That’s why, in the first verse, we sing “Welcome Lord.” For the second two verses, it is the shepherds and the wise men who come and say “Welcome Lord.”

Baby Jesus, Welcome Lord

Words by: S. J. Little

Tune: “Are You Sleeping” aka “Frère Jacques”

 

Baby Jesus, baby Jesus,

Son of God, Son of God.

You were born to be King, You were born to be King,

Welcome Lord, Welcome Lord.

 

Baby Jesus, baby Jesus,

Angels praise, angels praise.

Shepherds run to Your side, shepherds run to Your side,

Welcome Lord, Welcome Lord.

 

Baby Jesus, baby Jesus,

Wise men come, wise men come.

Following the bright star, following the bright star.

Welcome Lord, Welcome Lord.

Actions

Baby Jesus – Pretend to rock an infant in your arms

Son of God – Point up

You were born to be King – Put an imaginary crown on your head

Welcome Lord – Use one hand to beckon towards self

 

Angels praise – Extend hands above your head and move them side to side

Shepherds run to Your side – Run in place

Wise men come – Pretend to ride a camel

Following the bright star – Shade eyes as though searching. With your other hand, point forward/up towards the star

I hope you and your children enjoy this brand new Christmas song that reminds us of the very first Christmas so long ago.

Merry Christmas!

Looking for other Christmas preschool songs? Check out:

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Shine Shine Christmas Lights

Simple Gingerbread Man Song

I’m a Little Christmas Tree

 

Did you know? Baby Jesus, Welcome Lord is featured in my light curriculum for 1-year-olds. Check it out here.