Wee Steamers: Millions of Pets

CATEGORY: Science

GRADE LEVEL: Early Childhood

  Veterinary Clinic Dramatic Play

For a fully engaging activity, set up a veterinary clinic in your dramatic play area. Provide stuffed animals, medical kits, white shirts for lab coats, pens and pencils, clipboards, notepads, and a telephone.  Encourage children to take on different roles, including veterinarian, receptionist, and pet owners. https://www.messforless.net/pretend-play-vets-office-with-free-printable/

  Pet Supply Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are a fun way to familiarize children with the tools and supplies for good pet care – and build empathy and personal responsibility in the process.  For younger children, place items in a box and have them take turns matching each item to the corresponding picture.  For older children, plan a traditional search by giving them a pictorial list of items placed around the room. https://www.homeschoolshare.com/pet-shop-scavenger-hunt/

  Pet Sorting Game

Reinforce matching and classification skills with this simple pet sorting game. Using index cards or cardstock, create a collection of pet picture cards.  Provide a container for each pet. Encourage children to place the pet picture cards in the correct container. https://www.letsplaylearngrow.com/2017/03/pet-sorting-fine-motor-activity.html

  Animal Shelter Dramatic Play

Immerse your little ones in dramatic play by creating an animal shelter in your dramatic play area.  This theme-based play can enhance understanding of the function of a shelter, observation skills, empathy and altruism.  Include stuffed animals, carrying containers, signs, forms, labels, empty food boxes, food and water bowls, medical kits, and telephones. https://earlylearningideas.com/

Vote for Your Favorite Pet!

This give-and-take group activity builds math skills and social skills! Create a Favorite Pet Graph on poster board or create a pocket chart. Have each child indicate their favorite pet, and then make comparisons, e.g. most/least/same. Find out which pet gets the most votes! https://frompond.blogspot.com/2020/01/most-loved-pet-graphing-activity.html  

      Puppy Party Treats

Say "Bone Appetit!" to these Rice Krispie treats! Click CRAFT tab to download recipe.