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Pirate Hats

Lesson plan developed by Ms. Erika Geelhoed, BA Ed
Activity:  
Pirate Hats
Age Group:
Mobile Infants
* Lesson plan objective and assessment can be adapted to use this activity with toddlers or preschoolers.
Objectives:  
  • Child will practice fine motor skills my manipulating a crayon
  • Child will express themselves by creating a piece of artwork
  • Child will connect literature with the arts
CDA Competency Standard:   
II.7.4a
  • Candidate promotes individual expression and creativity
a) Encourages creative self-expression in children’s activities
Materials: 
  • Large piece of rectangular paper
  • large crayons
  • Shiver Me Letters by June Sobel
Procedure: 
Begin the activity by finding a comfortable spot to read Shiver Me Letters with the child. As you are reading, be sure to use an excited tone and inflection to hold the child’s attention. You can also stop from time to time to talk about what is going on in the story. Even though the child may not fully understand the “conversation”, practicing reflection skills during reading will be useful for them in the future. When finished reading, invite child to color on the paper with crayons. 


**Be sure to monitor child during coloring to discourage them from eating the crayons.** 


When the child has finished coloring, turn their work into a pirate’s hat by folding the paper in half length wise (hamburger style). Fold the top corners, leaving a strip at the bottom. Lift up the front flap and at the bottom and fold up. You can place the hat on the child and take pictures to send home to parents. 
Online CEU Child Care Courses
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Stages of Cognitive Development in Infants $10.50
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Documenting Children's Behaviors $10.50
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Early Childhood Program Accreditation $31.50
Assessment: 
  • During the activity, observe the child’s fine motor skills. How well are they able to control the writing utensil? Document the activity and put this information in the child’s portfolio to show progress over time. 

The Importance of Play for Cognitive Development

Cognitive development, in a sense, refers to an individual’s ability to know and understand the world. The thinking of children is different from the thinking of adults. The developmental pathway to a more adult way of thinking occurs in stages as the child grows and has more experiences with his environment.

During play experiences, infants and toddlers learn about their worlds and make discoveries through lifting, poking, mixing, touching, and exploring objects. Play gives infants and toddlers information about the world to build new understandings. Play helps infants and toddlers develop thinking skills. Like physical development, cognitive development progresses differently for infants than it does for toddlers.
 
Infant and Toddler Training Online
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