Circle Time – Grandparents Day Story Time
Begin with story time and bring on the smiles! Let the Grandparents Day Celebration begin with How to Babysit a Grandma and How to Babysit a Grandpa. These delightful readalouds are written by Jean Reagan and illustrated by Lee Wildish. Sections for grandparent sitters include: “How to Play with a Grandma” and “How to Entertain a Grandpa.”
Grandparents Game Time
Next, continue the celebration with a fun favorite. Everyone loves bingo (especially with preschoolers as callers)! Children may sit on the floor with the grandparent assisting or grandparents seated in classroom chairs. The bingo winners (grandparent/grandchild) become the new callers! If grandparents are unable to attend, teachers may assist.
Grandparents Generation Celebration of Creation
Cover the classroom tables with kraft paper and tape under the tables – to hold in place. Children trace their grandparents’ hands, and grandparents trace the hands of their grandchildren (markers or crayons). The Generation Creation is posted in the classroom.
Build-a-Bagel-Bite
Grandparents and children toast their split bagel. Possible toppings to build a bagel could include:
- cream cheese (blueberry, strawberry)
- strawberries
- blueberries
- pineapple
- coconut
- dark chocolate bits
- honey
Gathering Time
Share the enchanting The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster and Chris Raschka. A celebration of childhood and the special grandparent-grandchild connection. “…..Sometimes Poppy says in a real loud voice, ‘HELLO WORLD WHAT HAVE YOU GOT FOR US TODAY?’ Nobody ever answers, but he doesn’t care. Poppy makes breakfast. He says it’s his specialty. My favorite is oatmeal with bananas and raisins that you can’t see because he hides them down inside. But I find them all.”
Close the celebration with a favorite classroom song or poem (Grandparent Poems by John Micklos Jr. and illustrated by Layne Johnson is a beautiful choice).