It's a ZOO in here!

Today's story time theme was It's a ZOO in here! The zoo is such an easy theme to talk to toddlers about because alot of them have been so they get the concept. They can point out animals they've seen before and talk about what noises they make.

Our first story was Two at the Zoo by Danna Smith. This is such a cute book about a trip to the zoo focusing on a boy and his grandpa. You can add lots of extras to this book by having them help you count the animals, telling you what noises they make or doing the movements the animals make. The kids liked this one, too!

Next up was the flannel board story I shared here a while back, Dear Zoo, based on the book by the same name. I left the pieces up on the board and the kiddos came up after they finished their crafts and we talked about the animals. Which was their favorite? Which would they like to keep at their house? What sounds do they make? Etc.

Our Second and Final Story was From Head to Toe by Eric Carle. This was the best out of all three in my opinion today. When I read what the animal could do, I would try it myself and ask if the kids could do it too.

The craft for today was a semi-collage giraffe. I just drew out a shape that i wanted for the head, ears, and neck and made a template. I made these eyes using circles I created in word and used black hole punched circles for the spots. I could have just added a black circle in word but i'm a glutton for punishment or as I like to tell everyone at work, "It's for the CHILDREN!" I just cut random size squares of brown construction for the mane and gave them crayons to add the giraffes spots.

Eventually I will try get a template on here for the giraffe if anyone would like one.

Until next week!