A mitten preschool theme can easily be included into a winter curriculum. The following article provides preschool activities all surrounding mittens.
Mitten Preschool Songs
Singing is an integral part of a preschool environment. "Through music children experience pleasure, joy and creative expression" (Eliason & Jenkins, 426). In addition, one of the benefits of singing is that the lyrics can help teach skills. The following song is easy to learn and helpful in the cloak room of any early childhood setting during the winter months. Any tune can work with these easy lyrics.
Thumb in the thumb place
Fingers all together
This is the song we sing
In mitten weather
Another song about mittens which is appropriate for preschool ages can be sung to the tune of "Row Row Row Your Boat":
Warm, warm, warm and dry
Mittens feel so nice.
So grab a pair in chilly air,
Or in the snow and ice.
Matching Mittens: Felt Board Activity
Matching activities are a great tool for teaching color, size, shape and design to young children. In addition, matching experiences allow children to participate themselves by bringing a flannel piece to the felt board at a circle time or by matching the mittens themselves at a classroom station. With felt, the children can feel the softness of the material, and the fabric is very durable for those little hands. Try making two sizes of mittens with the same colors. This activity can be made to equal the amount of children in a group setting, so that everyone can have one mitten in their hands to bring to a flannel board.
Mitten Crafts
Similar to the felt board activity, matching mittens for art is a great way for young children to learn about patterns, designs and colors. The children can decorate the mittens with a variety of collage items, such as winter theme foam pieces or various drawing tools. Handprints with paint also work well for a mitten art project. The mittens can be finished with yarn connecting the two mittens together.
Children's Story: The Mitten
This Ukrainian folktale is a perfect story to introduce to preschool children during a mitten theme. Perhaps, one of the most well known versions of the story is the book by Jann Brett which is wonderfully illustrated. A story about a boy who loses his mitten in the snowy forest, and has different animals keeping warm inside it, can also be enjoyed beyond the book, such as puppets or felt pieces for a flannel board.
Mittens are a versatile image that can easily fall into various preschool curriculum and stations. The mittens will appropriately help turn the classroom into a winter theme.
Source: Eliason and Jenkins, A Practical Guide to Early Childhood Curriculum, 6th Ed., United States: Merill Publishing, 1999.
Christine Moore - Early Childhood Educator, Preschool/Daycare Resources, Online Workshop Instructor, ECE, BGS
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