Help children memorize a simple poem of two to four lines. For example:
Peter Paul PuppetNext, let children create a simple puppet from a sock, a bag, or anything that works. Have each child recite the poem, supplying what his/her puppet said. As children become more proficient at speaking aloud, encourage pairs of students to use the poem as a springboard to dialogue between their puppets.
Went to school one day.
The teacher said "Hello"
What did Peter say?
Note: Children can change the name in the poem (Sally Sue Puppet) to create girl or boy puppets.
Find more activities for early childhood classrooms in these archives:
Sue LaBella, Education World's early childhood editor, is a former teacher who loves writing activities and poems for young children. She lives in Connecticut with her family and her bulldog named Daisy.
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Activities by Sue LaBella
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