What preschooler doesn't love dinosaurs! It is summer, so it is time to make the theme bigger and better and nothing is bigger than dinosaurs.
Decorate your room with lots of trees and strap on for a summer theme of fun. Here are a few suggestions to get you started with this fun theme.
Story time/Writing
Dinosaur books can captivate the youngest preschooler with their giant pictures. Be sure to check out your local library for Dinosaur books. Some of my favorites include "Dinosaur Stomp!" or "Dinosaurs Roar!"as well as any from the "How do Dinosaurs. .. . " There is "How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight," How Do Dinosaurs Go To School." And "How Do Dinosaurs Play With Their Friends." These books are great and offer great lessons.
The letter D is a good letter to concentrate on during this unit. Allow the kids to write the letter in shaving cream with their finger or stamp it with playdoh. You can even put masking tape in the shape of a D on the floor and let the kids stomp like dinosaurs around the letter.
Blocks
Build dinosaurs out of legos. Be sure to place some block trees or let the kids build mountains or caves out of wood blocks to go with their lego dinosaurs. You can also remove the legos later and place plastic dinosaurs for them to build their caves and mountains.
Dramatic Play
Kids love pretending to be dinosaurs. Strap on cardboard dinosaur feet and a mask and allow the kids to stomp. Allow them to roar as loud as they want as they stomp around like dinosaurs.
Sand Table
Bury "dinosaur bones" in the sand and allow the kids to use spoons and small paintbrushes to excavate. Bones can be made out of dog bones or Scooby snacks or any dinosaur model kit.
Manipulatives
Make playdoh dinosaurs, play with large dinosaurs or sort and count small dinosaurs. You can also find dinosaur puzzles at your local teacher supply store.
Art
Print out a dinosaur coloring page and allow the kids to glue cereal on it for a "cerealasaurus." Allow the kids to paint a dinosaur at the Easel. Use dinosaur stamps or stencils. Make a dinosaur foot print using the fist of each child dipped in paint with three thumb prints above.
Music
"We Are The Dinosaurs" by The Laurie Berkner Band is a fun song that the kids love doing hand motions and stomping to. You can also play music and let them stomp around to the music.
Have a great time in your dinosaur world. Feel free to leave any other ideas in the comment section below.
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