"We need to get Dr. Seuss a present," a four-year-old in my class exclaimed!
"Really, why?" I respond with just as much enthusiasm.
"Because it is his birthday!"
March 2nd marks the birthday of a man that every preschool and young at heart adult loves: Dr. Seuss. Dr. Seuss who was also wrote books as Theo LeSieg has become one of the most loved children's authors.
With this in mind, why not celebrate the man and his books in the classroom. Besides, what preschooler doesn't love celebrating someone's birthday? Here are a few activities to go all out this year for his birthday.
Breakfast with parents
Invite your children's parents to a special breakfast. What is on the menu? Well, green eggs and ham, of course! Go all out and have a special reading of the book. the parents will enjoy remembering their own childhood as well as seeing the kids get excited. If you have a few teachers, get together and act out the story. It will start the day off entertaining.
ART Time
Have the kids color or paint their own Cat In the Hat Hat. Yes, I used the word hat twice. The hats are easy to draw. Add stripes then put out the red. Tape or glue to a sentence strip and have a parade around the school. These are also great to have on during the special birthday snack below. For an extra bonus, add a bowtie on a string.
Another activity is to allow the kids to create their own Dr. Seuss character. Put out a variety of art supplies such as googly eyes, sequins, macaroni, puffs, glitter, etc. The kids can be as creative as they would like.
Allow children to step in paint and make footprints to go along with reading the "Foot Book." Or you can read "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish." Have the kids make a red fish with red paint and their handprint. Then do the same with blue.
Block Center
Place a pool in the block area. Laminate fish with the number one and number two written on them as well as some red and blue fish. Place magnets on the back. Then create a fishing rod with a magnet on the string and allow the kids to catch the fish. You can do this with water or blue cellophane.
Scan in some pictures from Dr. Seuss' "Oh the Places You will Go." Post them in the center and allow children to create roads and buildings with the blocks.
Homeliving
Dress-up is a big hit in this center. Have the book, "Happy Birthday Sue Snue" available. Read to the kids as they enter the center. Then allow them to dress up as different characters in the book such as a baker, candlestick maker, or any others. You can even have socks.
Special Snack
What birthday party doesn't have cake? Allow the kids to ice and decorate their own cupcakes. Be sure to have lots of sprinkles. I can't imagine Dr. Seuss wanting to celebrate his birthday any other way then with a bunch of kids creating the perfect cupcake.
Go all out for this day. Make Dr. Seuss proud. Wear the hats, blacken your nose and draw whiskers. Decorate the room. Make the day exciting so kids will learn to appreciate how much of an influence the man had on children. Spend the day sharing his books, creating and letting the kids use their imagination. I can't imagine Dr. Seuss wanting anything different. Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss/Theodore Geisel/ Theo LeSieg!
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