Include index

This book is a collection of developmentally appropriate activities for 3- to 5-year-olds, designed to be easily integrated into the daily schedule of an early childhood program. The book's introduction describes the collection's theme units, delineates typical half- and full-day schedules, and discusses the arrangement and management of classroom learning centers. There are 25 two-week thematic units and 2 one-week units. Each unit contains 10 daily plans with a primary focus activity, 6 learning center ideas, and music and story suggestions. Each plan includes a materials list, suggestions for morning circle activities, music and movement activity, activities for learning centers, and suggested children's books. The theme topics included in the curriculum are: (1) acquainting children to the new environment and routine; (2) the self, exploring physical features, feelings, and senses; (3) family and friends; (4) workers, tools, and uniforms; (5) pets; (6) weather; (7) color; (8) farm life; (9) western life; (10) zoo animals; (11) circus; (12) forests; (13) giants from fairy tales, dinosaurs, tall buildings, and mountains; (14) traditional stories; (15) construction; (16) insects and small creatures; (17) seashore; (18) sound and movement; (19) art; (20) food sources and preparation; (21) properties of the sun; (22) nighttime; (23) favorite stories; (24) fantasy; (25) transportation; (26) special accomplishments and seasons; and (27) summertime fun. The appendix includes stories, recipes, directions for games, patterns and words to fingerplays, songs, and chants.