ACTIVITY If You’re a Beetle, Jump for Joy By Shelley Butler When toddlers are active, then they are actively involved in the process of learning. In this activity, toddlers are introduced to three common bugs through movement, song, and play, and so, learning follows naturally. Curriculum Area Movement Before You Start No preparation needed. Let's Begin 1. Show children the picture of the beetle, name it, and ask kids to say the name along with you. Then show, name and ask kid to repeat with the picture of the ant and then the moth. 2. Repeat the process a few times, and then show a picture and ask if anyone can name it. Help out with the name as needed. 3. Then, explain that you are going to sing a song about being a beetle, ant and moth, and that the children can sing and play along while you demonstrate the action described in the song. Make sure kids have plenty of space around them to avoid bumping. 4. To the tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It, show kids the picture of the beetle and sing: If you’re a beetle and you know it, jump for joy… 5. Show the picture of the ant and sing: If you’re an ant and you know it, crawl around… 6. Next, show the picture of the moth and sing… If you’re a moth and you know it, flap your wings… Furthermore For more insect fun, read together Peekaboo Bugs by David A. Carter to locate hiding bugs and practice colors, too.   A photograph of a beetle A photograph of an ant A photograph of a moth

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