Helpful tools for your infant classroom
My number one request for information is on how to write infant lesson plans so I thought I would share some tips as well as a lesson plan that has been shared with me.
Lesson Plan Template
First of all, you want to start with a lesson plan form of some type. It doesn’t have to be what you see here but this one may be helpful to use as a guide.
Lesson Planning
Here is a sample of an infant lesson plan filled out by my friend over at Centers and Circle Time. She created this for me to share with all of you! Thank You Myra!! Click the link below to view…
Infant Lesson Plan by Centers and Circle Time
Individualized
With infant lesson plans, keep in mind that because infants develop so quickly from one week/month to the next – you will want to either…
- Create a lesson plan that is for each infant
- Or create a lesson plan that gives an overview of a theme of ideas and adapt the ideas to the developmental abilities and growth of each infant in your classroom.
Themes
I like to think in terms of themes for developing my lesson plans. It may be because it helps me think outside of the box a bit. The theme helps me look for ideas that I may not have otherwise considered. Â When I think of a theme, I keep it very tangible and simple – the rule of thumb is to choose themes that a child can use their five senses in some way or themes that are meaningful to the child’s world. Here are a few examples…
Meaningful to the Child’s world | Using the Five Senses |
Me and My Family A Little Yellow Rubber Ducky Teddy Bear Time Riding in My Car Little Lamb, Little Lamb |
Hugs and Kisses What Color do I See? Soft and Fuzzy “Honk, honk! goes the horn Baa, Baa, goes the sheep |
Music and Finger Plays
For every theme, there is ample supply of simple finger plays you can sing or chant as you hold the infant, rock the infant, or as you help the infant move hands, feet, or body to the sounds and rhythms.  If you don’t know a song then make one up. You can make up about four sentences that rhyme and add it to a tune that you already know and you are good to go!
Little Lamb, Little Lamb,
Soft and white.
Little lamb, little lamb
Say good night!
Planning with Puppets
You can make a puppet for just about every animal or object there is. Each puppet is a theme that you can build your lesson plan on for example….
Theme: Little Lamb, Little Lamb
Puppet: Lamb
Music: Mary had a little lamb
Language: Lamb Little Soft Fuzzy White
Sensory: Soft and Fuzzy cotton ball play
Art: Gluing white cotton balls on a lamb
Movement: Baby follows little lamb puppet by crawling or tracking with eyes.
Social/Emotional: I can hold my little lamb
And each idea would need adapted to the growth and development of each infant but you at least have a plan to work from as you make the adjustments.
Planning with Photos
Photos of things a baby has in his or her everyday world is another resource you can use to build your lesson plan on. For example…
Theme: A Little Yellow Rubber Ducky
Photo: Rubber Ducky
Music: Rubber Ducky Song
Language: Quack, Duck, Yellow
Sensory: Rubber Ducky Water Play
Art: Feather Painting
Movement: Open Close hands while quacking like a duck
Social/Emotional: Where is rubber ducky at my house?
Planning with Books
A quality picture book is a great way to inspire ideas for you to build on. Here are some book titles you can consider. Click here to see more about books for babies, literacy activities for babies, and tips for reading to baby.
Other Helpful Resources
See more ideas for infant lesson plans here!
Check out these sounds that you can use to as another resources in your infant classroom!
Remember to choose simple objects, ideas, or themes to build on and then adapt to the individual needs of your babies!
Infant lesson books available on Amazon…
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