The topic of gardens can make language arts interesting for young children.
The theme of gardens can be incorporated into a language arts curriculum for young children. There are many literary resources and activities to interest preschoolers in the topics of gardening and the natural environment that surrounds them. The various elements of weather, animals, plants, seasons and soil can intrigue children.
Eric Carle Books
Reading "The Grouchy Ladybug" or "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by author Eric Carle to children is a delightful literary treat that will fit into a gardening theme. Talk to the children about the ladybugs that they have seen or if they think that a real caterpillar could eat as much as the fictional one.
Mary, Mary Quite Contrary
Familiarize the children with the nursery rhyme "Mary, Mary Quite Contrary." Have the children decorate construction paper flowers to represent how their gardens grow.
The Mole Sisters
Read "The Mole Sisters" by Roslyn Schwartz to the children. Ask the children to pretend that they are moles by crawling through a long athletic tube or tunnel you create. Explain that moles tunnel through gardens.
Rain, Rain, Go Away
The nursery rhyme "Rain, Rain, Go Away" can be the jumping off point for imaginative play. Get several umbrellas and play nature sounds of rain. The children can pretend that they are walking in a garden during the rain.
The Carrot Seed
Read "The Carrot Seed" by Ruth Krauss to the children. Help the children to plant carrot seeds of their own in dirt contained in Styrofoam cups.
Who Has Seen The Wind?
Read "Who Has Seen The Wind?" by Christina Rossetti to the children. Get a parachute and have the children stand under the parachute while adults wave the parachute up and down. Ask the children to pretend that they are trees.
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