Joyfulness
Read "The Grouchy Ladybug" and practice verbalization skills
Instructions
- Learning to be "joyful" can be characterized by not being "grouchy"
- Read the story "The Grouchy Ladybug" by Eric Carle or Read/Listen here
- Ask the child to share things that make him "grouchy"
- Make a list of the "grouchy" items (Showing a child how you use writing skills is important to their wanting to learn to write. When we say “make a list” please use paper/pencil or chalk/dry erase board and let a child watch you write)
- Discuss what you can do together with a child so those grouchy items can turn into "joyful" happenings
- For example, the statement "When I go to bed I get grouchy because I don’t like to brush my teeth" can be discussed and different solutions presented. Perhaps, giving a timer for a child to set for how long to brush, purchasing a different toothbrush or flavor of toothpaste, or learning about preventing cavities can make brushing teeth a "joyful" bedtime routine.
Simplify
Share something that makes you grouchy and then ask the child to tell you something that makes them grouchy.
Extend
Chat about how you can change a feeling of "grouchy" to feeling "joyful". For example, I was feeling "grouchy" because I had to pick up my toys. Mom suggested we put on some music and set a timer to see how long it would take to pick up the toys. Now I feel "joyful".
QUESTIONS FOR CHILD
Can you share one great thing that happened today?
What is something that makes you grouchy every time it happens?
Materials
- Book "The Grouchy Ladybug" by Eric Carle or Read/Listen here (use full screen and pause as needed)
- paper
- pencil
Activity Resources
Share This Activity
Curriculum Plan Resources
Skills Focus
- Shape - Circle
- Color - Blue
- Number - Two, 2
- Alphabet Letters - B, F
- Senses - Hearing
- Character Trait - Joyfulness
- Target Words - Big, Bigger, Happy, Small
Monthly Proverb
Unknown “Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day."
Did You Know?
“A 3-year-old toddler's brain is twice as active as an adult's brain.”- Sean Brotherson, NDSU
Books to Read
"Color Dance"
by Ann Jonas (Activity 8)
"The Grouchy Ladybug"
Eric Carle (Activity 12)
"Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"
by Bill Martin and John Archambault (Activity 4)
"Color Dance" VIDEO
by Ann Jonas (Activity 8)
"Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" VIDEO
by Bill Martin and John Archambault (Activity 4)
"The Grouchy Ladybug" VIDEO
by Eric Carle (Activity 12)
Music Playlist
"Jump Up It’s A Good Day"
by Brady Rymer Album Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could (Children) (Activity 10)
"Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes "
by Countdown Kids Album 100 Silly Songs (Children) (Activity 24)
"Joyfulness"
by Nabil David Huening Album Children’s Virtues Songs (Children) (Activity 13)
"If You’re Happy and You Know It "
by Dora the Explorer Album Party Favorites (Activity 26)
"Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" VIDEO
by Super Simple Songs (Activity 24)
"If You're Happy and You Know It" VIDEO
by Super Simple Songs (Activity 26)
"Joyfulness" VIDEO
by Nabil David Huening (Activity 13)
"Jump Up It's A Good Day" VIDEO
by Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could (Activity 10)
Monthly Materials List
Click Here to view the list!
Fingerplay / Poems / Songs
Touch Your Nose
(Activity 25 Month 2)
Touch your nose, touch your chin, That’s the way this game begins.
Touch your eyes, Touch your knees; Now pretend you’re going to sneeze.
Touch your hair, Touch one ear; Touch your two red lips right here.
Touch your elbows where they bend,
That’s the way this touch game ends.