Infant lesson plan suggestions

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.

Click for MS Word Doc

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.  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…
      

      

    

Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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