Preschool Construction Theme: Diggers and Dumptrucks

Start a Construction Theme at Circle Time

Begin the theme at group circle by asking the preschoolers what they know about heavy equipment, like diggers, and then about construction. Soon, the true "digger" lovers will be found. Ask question like:

•"What is another name for a digger?"

•"Where would you see a digger or dump truck?"

•" What other big trucks do you know?"

•" Why do we need these vehicles?"

•" How is a house made?"

 

Record some of the children's answers, and display them in a large dump truck, or coming out of an excavator's shovel, for the parents to view.

Heavy Machinery Companies and Construction Sites

For brochures and to learn about the vehicles, visit the nearest Caterpillar, Komatsu or Hitachi dealerships, to name a few, before program planning for the preschool theme. The companies may offer some of their brochures to place into the classroom or for the use in craft projects. Perhaps the preschool children may have a field trip to view the lots full of heavy machinery, or even better, the employees might allow the preschoolers to crawl into some of the big equipment. Plan a walk to a local construction site where the children can view the excavators and other machinery being operated.

Preschool Books for a Construction Theme

There are many kinds of heavy equipment and learning the names is a chore. Choose several construction vehicles to teach to the children, such as excavator, backhoe, bulldozer and cement truck. There are many books that will also introduce the topic to the preschool children. In addition, some great DVDs are available for preschool children to observe about diggers and trucks, for a special activity. Following is a suggested list of both preschool books and DVDS for this construction theme:

•Dazzling Diggers by Tony Mitton and Ant Parker (Kingfisher, 200

•C is for Construction: Big Trucks and Diggers from A to Z (Chronicle Book, 2003)

•B is for Bulldozer: A Construction ABC by June Sobel (Harcourt, 2006)

•Cody's Crew – The Big Building: DVD directed by Malcolm Marcus

•Diggers and Dozers Starring Mighty Machines (DVD-2007)

Felt Board Activity: Ten Dumptrucks All in a Row

At circle time, have the children participate in this felt activity with dump trucks by thinking of their own ideas for what to fill a dumptruck up with. Suggest to the preschoolers to imagine whatever they wish, and then give some suggestions, like dolls or chocolate. Make ten dump trucks out of felt with the following poem:

Ten dump trucks all in a row. All filled with something and a place to go.

(Child's name) truck is filled with______, that's fine, and now there's only nine

Nine dump trucks all in a row. All filled with something and a place to go.

(Another child's) truck is filled with____, that's great, and now there's only eight.

Eight dump trucks...oh heaven and now there’s only seven

Seven dump trucks...what a mix and now there’s only six

Six dump trucks...are they alive? And now there’s only five

Five dump trucks ...ready to pour and now there’s only four

Four dump trucks...could it be? And now there’s only three

Three dump trucks ...what to do and now there’s only two

Two dump trucks ...weighing a ton and now there’s only one

One dump truck ...oh what fun and now there is none.

Preschool Song about Construction Workers and Safety

A great lesson to bring into this theme is to talk to the children about safety on the construction site. Here is a song that will help teach the message:

 

(To the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)

Safety, safety when we work

All day long we watch and look

Hats and gloves, and goggles too

Steel toe boots for the crew.

Safety safety when we work

All day long, we watch and look

 

Preschool Craft Suggestions for a Construction Theme

1. Painting with dumptrucks through paint

2. Pasting pictures of construction vehicles onto a large paper or construction site scene

3. Have a picture of a dumptruck and collage items for them to fill up the truck with or use bingo markers!

Construction Theme in Other Preschool Areas

The construction theme can be included into many other areas or sections of a preschool curriculum and environment. The following list provides some suggestions:

•Drama: Construction Site lunchroom or office set up

•Sensory: sand and lots of mini vehicles

•Puzzles, Magnet activities with diggers, dump trucks, bulldozers and so on

•Wood blocks for constructing buildings 

Further Resource: Pinterest Board on Construction

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Squirrel Preschool Theme for an Early Childhood Setting

Squirrels are tree animals that fall effectively into an autumn season curriculum, along with other preschool lesson plans. Including a theme day all around squirrels is fun and educational. Following are some facts and ideas for setting up a squirrel theme day for any early childhood environment.

Squirrel Theme at Group Circle

Begin, by asking children at group circle what they know about squirrels. Allow the young children in a preschool or daycare setting to be their own educators. Add more information to the group's collection of knowledge. Facts to teach children about squirrels are:

•there are over 200 species of squirrels

•squirrels can be found all around the world

•squirrels are mammals with bushy tails, sharp teeth, and flexible paws

•they are fast tree climbers

•squirrels are mostly vegetarian, eating nuts and seeds

•they hide nuts for later use, and find warm homes to burrow in during winter

•squirrels communicate with chirps

Some questions to expand on are:

•"How do squirrels open the nuts?"

•"Where do you think they store the nuts?"

•" Why do they store the nuts? "

Song and Poem for a Squirrel Theme

A fun action poem for the children to participate in begins with giving each child a nut. Collect a hazelnut, chestnut or even a store bought shelled peanut to give to each child at group circle. Start by acting like a squirrel and dig a hole in the "ground" to place the nut. Pretend to cover it up with dirt. Have the children act alongside your actions, then pop up and say:

I'm a busy little squirrel, searching all around

Searching for a nut that simply can't be found

Is it behind me? Is it in my backpack?

Is it in my pocket? Is it in the ground?

I'm a busy little squirrel, looking all around

Digging, digging, digging. Look what I found! (show the nut)

Another great song to sing is:

Grey Squirrel Grey Squirrel

Shake your bushy tail

Grey Squirrel Grey Squirrel

Shake your bushy tail

Wrinkle up your little nose

Put it down between your toes

Grey Squirrel Grey Squirrel

Shake your bushy tail

(each time gets faster and faster!)

Squirrel Arts and Crafts

Cut out a squirrel shape for each child. Older children could draw their own squirrel or cut out the image to practise fine motor skill development. Choose from the following list of material for children to glue onto the squirrel's big bushy tail and/or body:

•brown wool

•construction paper (have children tear into pieces)

•tissue paper

•shredded wheat (allow children to shred themselves)

•coffee grinds

•dryer lint

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