Little Earth Friends (Ages 2-4)
📖 STORY (Read to child – 2 minutes)
“Animals live all around us!
Birds live in nests – up in trees!
Bees live in hives – buzz, buzz!
Fish live in water – swimming!
Dogs and cats live in houses – with us!
Every animal needs a home!
A safe place to sleep and eat!
We help animals by taking care of their homes!”
🎨 ACTIVITY 1: Animal Homes Matching
Time: 5 minutes
Type: Learning game
You Need:
- Pictures of animals (draw or print)
- Pictures of homes (nest, water, den, house)
What to Do:
- Show animal: “Where does bird live?”
- Child points to nest (help if needed!)
- “Yes! Bird lives in nest in tree!”
- Continue with 3-4 animals
- “Every animal has a home!”
What They Learn:
- Animals live in different places
- Matching skills
- Animal knowledge
- Critical thinking
🦜 ACTIVITY 2: Feed the Birds
Time: 10 minutes
Type: Helping activity
You Need:
- Pinecone OR paper towel roll
- Peanut butter (or sunflower butter)
- Bird seeds
- String
What to Do:
- Spread peanut butter on pinecone (messy fun!)
- Roll in seeds
- Adult ties string
- Hang outside
- Watch for birds! (may take days – that’s okay!)
What They Learn:
- Helping animals
- Cause-effect (we feed, birds come)
- Patience (birds take time)
- Observation skills
🎵 ACTIVITY 3: Animal Sounds
Time: 5 minutes
Type: Language/sound play
You Need:
- Your voices!
- Imagination!
What to Do:
- “What sound does bird make?” – Tweet tweet!
- “What sound does bee make?” – Bzzzz!
- “What sound does fish make?” – Glub glub! (silly but fun!)
- “What sound does dog make?” – Woof woof!
- “All these animals live on Earth with us!”
What They Learn:
- Animal sounds
- Language development
- Animals are part of nature
- Imaginative play
📝 VOCABULARY WORDS
- Animals – Living creatures (birds, bees, fish, dogs)
- Home – Safe place to live
- Nest – Bird’s home made of sticks
- Water – Where fish live
- Safe – Protected, not in danger
- Feed – Give food to
👨👩👧 TIPS FOR PARENTS & TEACHERS
Age Adjustments:
- Age 2: Focus on animal sounds, adult makes bird feeder
- Age 3: Can help spread peanut butter, starting to match animals to homes
- Age 4: Can make bird feeder mostly alone, explains where animals live
Safety Notes:
- Check for nut allergies! (Use sunflower butter if allergic)
- Supervise messy activities
- Wash hands after outdoor activities
- Keep distance from wild animals
Bird Watching Tips:
- Place feeder where you can see from window
- Be patient – birds are cautious!
- Early morning = best bird time
- Keep very quiet when watching
- Have binoculars if possible (even toy ones fun!)
Extension Ideas:
- Build “homes” for toy animals with blocks
- Visit pond to see where fish/ducks live
- Look for bird nests (from distance – don’t disturb!)
- Read “A House for Hermit Crab” or similar books
- Pet care (if you have pets – “This is dog’s home!”)
What Success Looks Like:
- Child identifies where animals live
- Excited to check bird feeder
- Makes animal sounds
- Shows care for animals (“Give them food!”)
🌟 CONNECTION TO OTHER TOPICS
- Topic 1 (Earth): Animals live ON Earth!
- Topic 2 (Water): Some animals live IN water!
- Topic 4 (Trees): Some animals live IN trees!
- Topic 6 (Growing): Baby animals grow, just like plants!
Earth is home for ALL living things! 🐾
Part of Little Earth Friends – Ages 2-4
Building love for Earth from the very beginning
