The Georgia Early Learning Standards Activity Guides may - gapitc

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Health and safety skills
Activities and Strategies
for Development
Walking Feet
Use an old pair of shoes to make Willie and Wanda walking puppets. Make a face
on the bottom of each shoe by using hot glue to attach buttons for the eyes, a
pompom for the nose, felt or yarn for the mouth, and yarn for hair.
During Circle Time, put your hands into the shoes and hold them up so the children
can see the faces. Have the puppets “talk” to each other about the importance
of walking inside the Center.“We use our walking feet” is the safety rule.
Have the puppets “walk” (move your hands slowly) and then “run” (move your
hands quickly) to show the difference.
Invite two children to come up and use the puppets to talk about being safe in
the Center by walking. Repeat with other children.
Bring back Willie and Wanda periodically to remind the children to use their
walking feet.
Special Needs Tip
Choose a child with challenging behavior to practice “walking”
with Willie and Wanda.
Sleepy Time
Just before nap time, wear a robe and slippers and play quiet music to create a
rest time atmosphere.
Remind the children that our bodies need to rest and relax.
Do a few stretches and take some slow deep breaths with the children to help
them relax.
Read a nap time story such as Goodnight, Moon by Margaret Wise Brown or Time
for Bed by Mem Fox.
Transition the children to nap time by sprinkling pretend “sleepy dust” over
their heads.