Give Thanks for Each Day by Steve Metzger is a precious story that simply describes the true meaning of being thankful to the toddler, preschool, and kindergarten set.
A few of the memorable "thankful"
antidotes depicted in the pages of the story include their crayons, a hug, and even snowflakes falling from the sky.
This book is a must read for the upcoming holiday. A true Thanksgiving classic!
Post Reading Activities
- Write down the phrase "What I Am Thankful For" and then vertically write your child's name on a piece of paper. Help your child try to think of words that he is thankful for that begin with each letter of his name such as D for ducks, A for astronauts, and N for nuts for the name "Dan". They can then illustrate their name poem by drawing a picture next to each letter of their name such as a duck next to the letter "D" or use colorful stickers. (This project is best for Kindergartners and up).
- Make a "thankful quilt". Paste pieces of multi-colored construction paper or scrapbook paper squares on a small piece of poster board. You or your child can take pictures of various things she is thankful for such as a beloved teddy bear using a digital camera. Print out the pictures and cut around the image. Glue the picture onto a "patchwork" square. Continue taking pictures of items that she is thankful for to fill up her quilt. Alternative ways to decorate her "thankful quilt": Use clip art, cut pictures from magazines, or draw items onto the patchwork squares. (This project is for toddlers and up).
- Sing the following songs found below:
Let's Be Thankful
(Sung To: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)Let's be thankful for this day
For our friends and our play
Let's be thankful; let's be glad
For our food and the things we have
Let's give thanks for you and me
And our home and family.
Thank You Song
(Sung To: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)Thank you for the sun so bright,
Thank you for the moon at night,
Thank you for my family,
Thanks for friends who play with me,
Thanks for everything I see,
I am thankful, yes siree
(Source of songs: http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/thanksgiving/songs.htm
- Go to the grocery store and buy canned foods to give to a local food pantry. Many people will be thankful for your generous and yummy donations during the holiday season!
I hope everyone has a happy and healthy holiday!