Ideas for a Preschool Bird Theme

A preschool theme about birds can include a variety of categories, for instance:

predator
pet
farm
ocean
nocturnal
birds around the world

Introduce the Bird Theme at Circle Time

Before beginning a theme about birds, during circle time, ask the children what they know about birds. Record their answers and use the information as a starting point for learning. Some questions to ask children are:

• What does a bird look like?
• What makes a bird different than a dog?
• Are there birds around your home?
• Do you have a bird as a pet?
• Where do baby birds come from?
• What colors do you see on birds?

Place the children's answers on a bulletin board for parent to read, for example, on bird wings or the belly of a penguin.

Fun Facts About Birds for a Preschool Lesson Plan

Provide the children with some basic facts about birds, without getting into a lot of detail. In this way, young children can rehearse what they already know, be provided affirmation of their own knowledge, and for some, be learning the basic information for the first time. Some bird facts to give preschool children:

• Birds are the only animal with feathers.
• Most birds can fly.
• Birds have beaks.
• Birds have two legs.
• Birds make nests.
• Birds lay eggs.
• Birds are warm blooded.
• There are more than 9,000 species of birds.
• Birds can be found around the world.
• Birds come in many different sizes, colors and shapes.

Having pictures of birds to show the children is always helpful in the learning process, particularly for young children who are visual learners, ESL and have speech delays. Find books at the library, look for bird calendars, scour magazines for images or use the computer.

Birds From Around The World

Once the facts have be given and provided, explain to the children that their preschool curriculum will include birds around the world. One suggestion is to choose one or two birds from a geographical region and focus program planning around those birds or one bird. This way, each geographical region can follow a week long lesson plan. Another suggestion involves spontaneity and time restricted program planning, which is to have the children decide on what bird they want to learn about. Display a map of the world, and place a picture of the chosen bird on its geographical location. The following list suggest some birds in geographical regions around the world.

1. Arctic Birds: penguins, snowy owl
2. Tropical Birds: parrots, flamingo, peacock
3. "Local" Birds: ducks pigeons, robin
4. Desert Birds: roadrunner, ostrich
5. Downunder Birds: kookaburra, kiwi

Indeed there are so many birds to choose from. For instance, birds found around the ocean and other water sources is a big topic including such birds as seagulls, ducks, and pelicans.

Field Trips for a Bird Preschool Lesson Plan

A theme on birds would work well with a field trip to see the real thing. A local pet store or a bird sanctuary would be great choices. If those locations are not possible, try taking the children to local parks or water sources to view the birds that live locally.

 LINKS TO MORE RESOURCES

With well known bird species, you will more likely find ideas for crafts, songs, poems, books and activities with online sources and from books in the library.  The following links will bring you to other articles and program planning ideas for a bird themes.

Tropical Bird Crafts

Seagull Poem with Felt Pieces

Owls

Pinterest Board

Greeting Songs for Circle Time

Circle time in Early Childhood settings is usually a daily occurrence. Young children love to learn the greeting song. With repetition and rehearsal, they can sing along with the greeting and feel a sense of belonging and familiarity. Following are a variety of welcome songs for preschool or daycare. 

Song #1 To the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb

Who came to school today? Johnny did, Johnny did.
Who came to school today? Johnny did!

Song #2 To the tune of  She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain

Oh the greeting train is coming, all aboard  (toot toot)
Oh the greeting train is coming, all aboard. (toot toot)
Oh the greeting train is coming,
The greeting train is coming
The greeting train is coming, all aboard

And it's hello to (child's name), get onboard
And it's hello to (next child's name), get onboard

ETC.

Song #3 To the tune of Happy Birthday

Good morning to you, good morning to you
Good morning dear friends
It's nice to see you

Good morning to (child's name) good morning to (next child's name)
good morning to (another child's name) it's nice to see you

Song #4 To the tune of Where is Thumbkin

Where is (child's name) where is (child's name)
There she is. There she is.
How are you today (child's name)
(Child's name) is feeling fine
You're here today, you're here today.

Song #5 Chose a tune

Hello, hello, hello and how are you
I'm fine, I'm fine, and I hope that you are too

Song #6 (or chant)

Our circle time is starting
I'm glad to see you hear
Hello to everybody
Let's give a great big cheer! Hooray!

Song # 7 To tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb

Another day at (name of preschool), (name), (name)
Another day at (name of preschool or daycare)
I'm glad that you are here


Further Resources:

Using the Felt Board for Circle Time Transition

Circle Time Basics Workshops with Circle of Ideas