Bird Nests
Kids really get into
this and are very proud of their nests. Most of the nests look like muddy
clumps of dead weeds. It's fun to watch parents try to think of something
appropriate to say as kids proudly present their masterpieces for praise and
approval.
Objectives
Children ages 2-2 ½ years can roll, pound, and squeeze
Playdough FM I
All children participating are able to persist until task is completed SE III
collect materials for specific goal or purpose
and they can use materials in a variety of ways SE III
Materials
Sticky, brown
Playdough (for mud); blue Playdough (for eggs); yellow, red, or green (or
other) Playdough (for birds); paper bags to collect grass, twigs and straw;
string pieces; paper plates; sample of pre-made nest or real nest (real nest is
far better).
Procedures
1. Show children an example of real birds' nests or hand-made
one. Go out into the yard and let children collect small twigs, grass, straw,
etc.
2. When the group is reassembled at the table, give each child a plate and lump
of Playdough mud.* Show them how to form a nest with hands. Have them add
twigs, straw, and string, held together with more dough, creating the nest on
the paper plate. Remind children that the eggs will go in the center of the
nest where the baby birds will hatch, so the center of the nest must have soft,
warm materials (string, yarn, cotton, etc.).
3. When the children have finished making their nests, give them blue Playdough
to make the eggs. Many children like to try to make mother or father birds to
sit on the eggs or beside the nest.
4. While this activity is going on, discuss the role of the bird parents in
nest building, sitting on eggs to keep them warm and getting food for the baby
birds when they hatch. Discuss the functions of the various materials--mud
sticks the nest to the tree and holds the twigs and grass together; soft
materials in the center keep the eggs warm and cushioned, etc. A few kids will
continue (indefinitely) pretending the eggs hatch. Let them make Playdough food—worms, bugs, etc.– for the parent birds to feed their newly
hatched babies.
Notes: -- We tried real mud
once, but several of the kids would have none of it. Sticky playdough is a good
substitute. Some children still need reassurance that it’s only playdough. -- This could go on as
a several-day sequence for younger children.
Variation: 1. Organize a drama
activity with parent, baby birds, and eggs. Questions or Comments about this Lesson Plan? Please write us here. (Be sure to mention the name of the Lesson Plan in your email Subject line.) |