Summers can be challenging for teachers of preschoolers. It can be hot outside and kids can be more restless than usual. Add the extra stress of wanting to make their summers full of memorable events and it can all be overwhelming.
As a preschool teacher, summers offered the opportunity to do themes that are more fun, but were unable to fit in. It is also the time when I would pull out all the stops and make each one a week-long celebration.
Teaching the circus theme was more of a week long celebration as it offers the opportunity to see kids eyes light up as they exposed to a new fun world of bright colors, fun tricks and animals. Here are a few of the centers and activities I sat up in my class during the week.
Homeliving
What kid doesn't like dressing up like a clown? Place out some colorful wigs, bring some simple red lipstick for noses and cheeks or go all out and buy some theater make-up. Be sure to check with parents and make sure there are no skin allergies. You can even ask parents to bring an oversized colorful t-shirts to decorate during art time. You can use fabric paint and stamps to create fun colorful clown shirts. Be sure to use bright colors.
Art time
Art can be complex to simple depending on the level of your kids. Painting with balloons can be a fun activity for the younger ones. Just blow up a balloon and allow the kids to dip the bottom in paint and then make circles. Another fun activity is to decorate a clown. You can use a coloring sheet or give the kids a Styrofoam ball. Allow the kids to glue eyes, red noses out of puff balls, have foam sheets, sequins, hats, etc. Let the kids be creative. Model clay circus animals are also fun. Let the kids create their own lions, tigers and elephants for a classroom circus. Making cone hats are also fun. Allow kids to pick their color of construction paper, roll it up in a cone, then let them decorate however they wish to do it.
Parachute play
Parachutes are fun to have during this week. They can be used for fun by placing circus stuff animals on the top then playing circus music as the kids try to bump them off. You can also staple it up and use as a big top tent. Have the children pretend to be animals or animal trainers under the tent. You can also let the kids pretend to juggle with beanbags under the tent.
Ring of Fire
Decorate a hula hoop with red streamers. Take turns having each child be an animal trainer complete with black hat. Then let the kids take turns throwing stuffed animals through the ring of fire. You can also place hula hoops on the ground for the kids to pretend to be animals and jump through one at a time.
Snack time
Popcorn and cotton candy are fun snack time ideas for the circus theme. If you know someone or if you can rent a popper and cotton candy maker, the kids will really enjoy watching it be made. Snowcones are also fun treats. You can get a cheap snowcone maker at the local store for under $10. Let the kids pick their own colors of syrup. They will have fun.
Storytime
Music and reading books under the big top with be great fun. There is a Clifford Goes To The Circus book that kids will find enjoyable. There are also Curious George First Word books on the circus. My favorite because of the illustrations is Circus by Lois Elhert. You can got to Amazon and type in circus books or visit your local library. You can also allow kids to bring their favorite stuffed circus animal to school for reading time.
These are just a few activities that you can schedule for the week. Feel free to leave additional ideas in the comment section below.
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