From Forest Friends to Thanksgiving Fun: A Week of Gratitude and Adventure

Nov 22, 2024

3 min read

As we began this week, our focus transitioned from the cozy theme of forest animals and hibernation to the warmth and joy of Thanksgiving. To bridge the two, we dove into some delightful books that connect both ideas. We started the week with Bear Snores On, Bear Gives Thanks, and If Animals Gave Thanks. These charming stories helped us celebrate the transition from woodland creatures to gratitude and community, setting the tone for our Thanksgiving-themed adventures.

To complement our bear-themed books like Bear Snores On and Bear Gives Thanks, the children created beautiful symmetry bears during craft time. Using folded paper and paint, the kids explored the magic of symmetry by spooning some paint on one side of the paper, then folding it over to reveal a perfectly balanced bear face. This activity not only tied in with our forest friends theme but also introduced early concepts of symmetry and reflection in a fun, hands-on way. The kids were amazed at how their bears “came to life” when they opened their papers, and each creation was as unique as the little artists themselves!

Saying Goodbye to Forest Friends

As the week progressed, we left our forest friends behind and fully embraced Thanksgiving with all its delightful trimmings! Our storytime featured turkey and Thanksgiving-themed books like Turkey Trouble, Gobble Gobble Mr Wobble, and Fancy Nancy: Our Thanksgiving Banquet. Each story brought smiles and laughter while introducing fun traditions and silly turkey antics.

We swapped out our alphabet squirrels for playful turkeys tucked inside pumpkins. Each child had their own turkey featuring the first letter of their name, which they excitedly searched for during our activity. Once they found their letter, they took turns proudly hanging their turkey on our display. To make it even more special, some children added letters for family members and friends, spreading the Thanksgiving spirit of love and togetherness.

Songs and Wiggles

Circle time was filled with festive Thanksgiving songs like “5 Little Turkeys,” https://youtu.be/Uhuifz2zppo

The kids loved counting along with our new turkey prop.

To keep the wiggles at bay, we enjoyed a lively Turkey Freeze Dance https://youtu.be/DpNZvy_ysVQ

Watching the kids “gobble” and dance around was as fun for me as it was for them! This song also helps kids learn to fallow simple directions (or at least tries to)

https://youtu.be/DpNZvy_ysVQ

Alongside this, we played a color-matching game with a big, plump turkey. The kids worked on their fine motor skills by pinching clothespins to attach colorful feathers to the turkey. I’m always amazed at how excited they get over the simplest activities like this one! They also had so much fun sticking big colorful feathers into a Styrofoam turkey I made for them. While my artistic abilities may be questionable, the kids’ giggles and focus made it a huge success and the kids enjoyed playing with this one all week long!

Pumpkin Pie and Color Matching Fun

The sensory bin transformed into a pumpkin pie baking center, sparking the kids’ imaginations. They delighted in “baking” pies for their families, friends, and even our animal pals.

Kitchen Helpers in Action

Our week also included some time in the kitchen. On Monday, the children helped me bake blueberry muffins, then enjoyed them for snack and breakfast during the week! On Friday the kids were very excited about lending their little hands to make pizza cuppers for lunch. These moments of cooking together helped foster teamwork, taking turns, waiting patiently, and a sense of accomplishment.

Wrapping Up with Gratitude

As our Thanksgiving theme unfolded, it was heartwarming to see the children embrace the ideas of gratitude and community. Whether through storytelling, crafts, or shared meals, this week has been a wonderful reminder of what it means to come together and give thanks.