Centro de Niños, Inc.

Stimulating the Imagination and Creativity in Children

Centro de Niños, Inc.- Celebrating over 35 years of childcare and child development for the community.

Whole Great Grains Mix                                   Created by Nina Sorkin 2010

Goal: Children will learn the importance of eating whole-grain energy snacks to refuel their bodies.

Objective

•Children will learn about different whole-grain products

•Children will identify the various ingredients and shapes to be included in the mix

Measures

•29 Memory and Knowledge-children will remember the color that represents the grains on MyPyramid and the various items that are found in this group

•41 Understanding personal care routines-children will be asked to wash their hands before they can participate in this activity

•40 Fine Motor Skills-children will hold the spoon to scoop the ingredients

Materials

•Whole grain O-shape cereal

•Whole grain square-shape cereal

•Whole-wheat pretzels or fish crackers

•Popped popcorn (omit for infants)

•Raisins and cranberries

•Peanuts (omit for infants and children with allergies)

•7 Large bowls

•7 Serving spoons

•Resealable sandwich bags

Introduction

The teacher will ask the children about the color they have learned this week and the food group it represents on My Pyramid. Wait for the children to respond. Let the children know we have learned that Orange represents GRAINS. There are many things that are in this food group. "Today we are going to make a mix that each if you will take home with the recipe".  Have everyone wash their hands with soap and water.

Make sure all work surfaces are clean.  Ask the children if they know the shape of the various ingredients and give them time to respond.

Circles for O-shape cereal, Square for square shaped cereal. Give each child a sandwich bag with their name and invite them to scoop one spoonful of each ingredient into their bags to create their own trail mix. Have the children seal the bags, shake and enjoy. The parents will receive a copy of this lesson plan to do at home. Caution: Check for nut allergies among your children before offering this ingredient.

Mexican Market

Goal: Children will learn about the variety of items at a Mexican market.

Objective

•Children will learn that many items are sold at a Mexican market.

•Children will identify at least three items that are sold at a Mexican market.

•Children will make their favorite fruit or vegetable that is sold at a Mexican market.

•Children will learn the importance of eating fruits and vegetables on a daily basis.

•Children will learn the number of fruits and vegetables that we should eat everyday.

Measures

•29 Memory and Knowledge-children will remember the color that represents the fruits and vegetables on My Pyramid and the various

items that are found in this group

•40 Fine Moto Skills-children will use their hands to stuff their paper bag with newspaper

Materials

•Large picture of My Pyramid

•El Gusto Del Mecado Mexicano by Nancy Maria Grande Tabor

•Newspaper

•Large paper bags

•Sissors

•Stapler

•Tempera Paint (various colors)

•Paint brushes

•Fishing line

Introduction

Ask the children if they know what today is? "It is the 16th of September-It is Mexico’s Independence Day". Today we are going to read a book about a Mexican market. We have learned about the food from the orange group on My Pyramid, and this week what colors are we are talking about? Give the children a chance to respond. Yes, they are learning the colors green and red for fruits and vegetables. Read the story to the children. Now we are going to make some of the fruits and vegetables that we find in the Mexican market. Each child will select the form of food they would like to make. The children will staple on the side of the paper bag and begin to stuff newspaper to make the food puffy. The child will then staple the remainder of the food items. The children will paint the food item the respective color. Let the item dry and then place fishing line to hang from the ceiling.

A Yoga Routine                                                       Created by Raema Avalos2011

Goal: Children will follow a yoga routine to stay healthy and in shape.

Objective

•Children will learn simple yoga poses to do at home with their parents.

•Children will learn that doing exercise is fun.

•Children will work together during their yoga routine.

Measures

•Gross motor skills: children will do simple yoga positions using different body parts.

•Cooperative play with peers: children will work together to help each other accomplish the different yoga positions.

•Number sense: children will count from 1 to 5 as they hold each yoga position.

•Social dramatic play: children will pretend to be different items or animals.

•Shapes: children will review two shapes: triangle and diamond.

•Shared use of space and materials: children will create enough space between the other children in order to prevent injury.

•Following instructions: children will show an understanding of following instructions as they do each of the different yoga poses.

Materials

•Soft music

•Large area

•“Yoga Kids” by Marsha Wenig

•Water and paper cups

Introduction

During circle time, ask the children if anybody knows what that the word “yoga” means. Explain to the children that yoga is a type of exercise that helps their body and their mind. Let the children know that today they will be doing different yoga positions like the “moo and meow”, “pedal laughing”, “pretzel”, “volcano”, “partner twist” and others. Also, let the children know that they need to follow the instructions given by the teacher to prevent injuries.

Activity

During activity time take the children outside to the grass playground. Once you are on the playground ask the children to create enough space between them and the other children.

Step one - Start by doing the base poses (page 20). Let the children know the name of each pose. Show the pose to the children and have them mirror you. Hold the pose then have the children count to 5 and then move into the next pose. Repeat this step five times.

*Return to Pretzel Sitting (page 20-2) Step two- Let the children know they will now do the “Moo and Meow” and ask the children which animals makes each noise (moo-cow, meow cat). Follow the directions on page 38. Remind the children to pretend to be cats and meow as they are breathing out and pretend to be cows and moo as they are breathing in. *Return to Pretzel Sitting (page 20-2)

Step three- For the third pose ask the children if they own a bicycle or if they know how to ride a bicycle. Let the children know that the next pose is called “Pedal Laughing.” Follow the directions on page 37. Have the children do the pose and count to 5, rest and repeat 10 times.

*Return to Pretzel Sitting (page 20-2)

Step four- Ask the children if they know what a volcano is. Let the children know that a volcano is a mountain filled with lava and today they will pretend to be volcanoes. Ask each child what their volcano is filled with. Follow the directions on page 50-53. Repeat the pose 5 times.

*Return to Pretzel Sitting (page 20-2)

Step five- Let the children know that for the next pose they will need a partner. Ask the children to choose a friend to be their partner. Have the children sit next to their partner and let them know that the next pose is called “Partner Twist-Seesaw Triangle.” Let the children know that they need to be careful when doing this pose because they do not want to injure their partner. Follow the directions on page 65. Ask the children while they are doing this pose what shape are they doing with their legs, let the children know that there are two different shapes (together it will look like a diamond, if you stop at their feet it looks like a triangle). Repeat this pose 10 times. Always remind the children to be careful when doing this pose.*Return to Pretzel Sitting (page 20-2)

Close your routine by repeating step one. After completing the yoga routine give each child a cup with water to refresh themselves..

Parent Participation

The parents will receive a copy of each pose the child did today. The book “Yoga Kids” will be available to take home and they will be reminded to come to our next Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, Healthy Community workshop.

Centro de Niños, Inc. - 4850 E. Cesar Chavez Avenue - Los Angeles, CA 90022  (323) 268-4600