Theme for the Week - Germany
Germany - to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, our theme for the week celebrates Germany and German things. If you have a world map or a globe, you might even show your child where Germany is on the map, along with the United States, so they can see where they are in relation to each other. Maybe even talk about how long of a plane ride that could be!
This is our first time commemorating a specific culture. Since it was such an important event - we chose Germany due to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Of course, you don't have to talk about that event but you can talk about Germany as a country. Maybe you even have German ancestors you could talk about too. This week, we'll learn more about Germany and learn about some German things.
Letter of the Week: G - for Germany - point out things that start with "G" - go, grape, gorilla. Show your toddler a picture of both a capital G and a lower case g. Draw a G on paper, or use your child's finger to draw it in the sandbox or dirt. Use bath tub or refrigerator letters to show him/her this letter as well. I've been showing my toddler letters in the bathtub - while he isn't identify them correctly, he does make "sounds" when he sees them because he knows that's what I do. You can even use flashcards a little at a time.
Number of the Week: 20 - For the 20-year anniversary. When you show your child anything say "20 grapes" (or whatever you are counting). Count to 20. Write the number 20 on paper or show your toddler a flash card. Show your child 20 things at a time and count them - "one" "two" "three" - so your child gets used to the pattern. When I have been counting to my son, he now points to things and makes sounds like he's trying to count. He can't count to 20 but it's ok to start counting that high now because they get the rhythm.
Songs of the Week: Guten Abend, gute Nacht (Good Evening/Good Night)- This link has both the German and English words and a video of some people singing it. The tune is the traditional lullaby you all most likely know the tune for.
Story of the Week: Grimm Fairy Tales - This might be a little cliché but this site has a bunch of stories and they are all right on the site with video - so cute and interactive for you and your toddler to watch.
Snack of the Week: käseigel - German Hedgehog - this is a super cute little snack that was a popular party snack in the 60's and 70's. The link is a photo the snack. You cover a melon half with foil and stick toothpicks into the melon. Then add whatever snacks you want to the toothpicks - cheese blocks, grapes (if appropriate), veggie pieces, really anything you can think of. The end product looks like a little hedgehog!
Spanish Words of the Week: Since it's Germany this week, we're including a couple words in German: Germany = Deutschland, hello = hallo, good morning = guten Morgen. Also in Spanish, you say German as alemán.
Activity of the Week: German Potato Stamp - This is a cute easy craft that you might need to help your toddler with in terms of cutting the pattern into the paper and with the paint for stamping. Make sure you put "craft clothes" on your little one that you don't mind if they get a little messy. Here is a link to making a paper chain in the German flag colors too.
Yoga Pose: Eagle Pose - The national bird of Germany is the Black Eagle. By the way, if you'd like to learn what national animals belong to other countries, click here (if you trust wikipedia). PS - Our kids always liked the Yoga Kids series if you'd like more ideas for doing yoga with your toddler.
Sign Language Sign of the Week: Germany and Eagle. If your toddler is still learning how to talk, sign language can be a great way for them to communicate. And as they get older, they'll pick up signs faster and it can be more of a fun thing versus a way to communicate.
