Coffee Filter Turkeys

Lesson Plan:

Activity:

Lesson plan developed by Ms. Erika Geelhoed, BA Ed

Age Group:

Toddlers

* Lesson plan objective and assessment can be adapted to use this activity with preschoolers.

Objectives:

Children will:

develop fine motor skills.
express themselves by creating a piece of artwork.

Coffee Filter Turkeys

CDA Competency Standard:

II.7.4a

Candidate promotes individual expression and creativity
- a) Encourages creative self-expression in children’s activities

Materials:

coffee filters
markers
spray bottle or dropper
water
construction paper
glue
googley eyes

Procedure:

Invite the children to color on the coffee filters using the markers.

**Be sure to monitor children to discourage them from eating the markers.

When finished, help the children lightly spray the colored filter with the spray bottle.
Allow the filter to dry.
Cut out a body and beak for the turkey using construction paper and glue to the filter.
Glue on googley eyes.
Display the turkeys for the children to see.

**When adapting this lesson for preschoolers, encourage them to cut and glue their materials on their own to further practice their fine motor skills.

Assessment:

Observe and record the children’s fine motor skills. How well were they able to control the marker?

Note: Please provide appropriate supervision to the children in your care when completing all activities. You will need to decide what types of activities are safe for the children in your care. Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when providing art and sensory experiences for children. Toddlers require special caution, only use non-toxic materials, and do not allow toddlers to put things in their mouths that are a choking hazard.

Online Early Childhood Education

Click on the course icon for enrollment information.

Sign Language for Babies and Toddlers

Basic Signs for Babies and Toddlers

Babies begin to mimic what they see from a very early age, often cooing as part of an exchange with a caregiver long before they are able to communicate linguistically. This is why babies typically begin signing back earlier than they begin speaking. When introducing sign language to babies, it is important to sign and speak with them at the same time. For example, when signing “more” to an infant who may want more food, it is advisable to say, “Do you want more?” While signing the word more.

For older infants, who have not had previous sign language exposure, it is fine to start with the recommended signs for the younger age range. Chances are that they will be able to pick up the signs quickly and continue learning new ones as they are introduced. As long as the signs are taught in context and are signed often, the child will benefit from them.

Toddler signs become more specific to their feelings and important components of their daily lives. Toddlers are at an age where they are becoming aware of themselves, their feelings, needs, and the labels or names associated with their world. This is why signs such as happy, Aunt, friend, and bathroom are commonly taught to this age group.

Video: Recommended Signs for Babies and Toddlers