Friendship Pillowcase
Decorating a pillowcase with markers and handprints, Learning a Poem
Instructions
- You will need a solid light colored pillowcase
- Place a piece of cardboard or plastic bag inside the pillowcase so marker will not soak through the fabric
- Let child put his hand in the middle of one side of the pillowcase
- Help child trace around his open hand with a fabric marker and write name by the handprint
- When friends or family come over, let child trace around their hands, write their name and add to the Friendship Pillowcase
- Teach the poem “Now I lay me down to sleep”
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep
Now I lay me down to sleep.
I’ll count these hands instead of sheep.
Help me to remember these friends I made.
And all the wonderful times we played.
Simplify
Chat with a child about what makes a friend. Ask child why they want certain friends to be on the Friendship Pillowcase.
Extend
Chat about ways that a child can be a good friend. Ask what they did today with a friend. Ask what makes them feel special when they are with their friend.
Materials
- poem "Now I lay me down to sleep"
- solid, light colored pillowcase (that can be drawn on with marker)
- cardboard/plastic bag
- fabric markers
Share This Activity
Curriculum Plan Resources
Skills Focus
- Shape - Oval
- Color - Brown
- Number - Nine, 9
- Alphabet Letters - Q, T, L
- Senses - Sight
- Character Trait - Friendliness
- Target Words - Fast, Front, Sort, Same
Monthly Proverb
Spanish - Tell me who you’re with and I’ll tell you who you are
Did You Know?
"The brain develops rapidly during the first five years and quality preschool programs can have a profound impact during this time.” CA First 5
Books to Read
"Fish Eyes: A Book You Can Count On"
by Lois Ehlert (Activity 7)
"Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?"
by Bill Martin (Activity 8) (audio book available) (NOTE: Please look for the 25th anniversary edition where the text is back to the original wording)
"Old Henry"
by Joan Blos (Activity 12)
Music Playlist
"The Alphabet Song"
Album: Big Don’s Big Beat (Activity 5)
"Por Una Cabeza by Carlos Gardel"
Album: The Very Best (Activity 20)
"The Turtle Song"
by Suzi Shelton Album Simply Suzi (Activity 11)
Monthly Materials List
Click Here to view the list!
Fingerplay / Poems / Songs
There Was A Little Turtle
(Activity 11 Month 11)
There was a little turtle who lived in a box.
He swam in the water, he climbed on the rocks.
He snapped at a mosquito, he snapped at a flea, he snapped at a minnow and he snapped at me.
He caught that mosquito, he caught that flea, he caught that minnow, but he didn’t catch me.
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep
(Activity 19 Month 11)
Now I lay me down to sleep.
I’ll count these hands instead of sheep.
Help me to remember these friends I made.
And all the wonderful times we played.