Satellite

A few days ago was the day "Explorer 1" was launched many years ago.

I taught my 2-year old daughter about it.

Show a picture of "Explorer 1" that you can find on the internet.

Teach all or as many concepts as you feel appropriate:

1. Satellite

2. Earth

3. Going around the Earth

4. Sending signals or information

5. Launching

6. Planet

Activities:

1. Make a satellite and the Earth from playdough

2. Imitate launching the satellite (Put the palms of your hands together by your chest - they represent "the nose" of the satellite. Make a motor sound and slowly raise your hands higher and higher until you stretch them all the way up reaching for the sky).

3. Song:

Put a ball (or something else that is round) on the floor. Ask your child to imagine that the ball is our planet Earth. Take your child's hand and going around the ball, sing the following song using the melody from "Going aroung the Mulberry bush".

Going around the planet Earth, the planet Earth, the planet Earth.

Going around the planet Earth, "name of your child" the satellite.

Sending signals to the planet Earth, the planet Earth, the planet Earth.

Sending signals to the planet Earth, "name of your child" the satellite.

Going around the planet Earth, the planet Earth, the planet Earth.

Going around the planet Earth, Mommy the satellite.

Sending signals to the planet Earth, the planet Earth, the planet Earth.

Sending signals to the planet Earth, Mommy the satellite.

Bees

Show pictures of honeybees.

You can find them on the internet. I printed a picture of a beehive and a picture of a bee on a card stock. (Use a toy if you have it).

Talk about what bees have: legs, wings, and eyes.

Books: coming soon.

Explain all or as many of the following concepts as you want

1. Insect (other examples: ants, flies, spiders)

2. Beehive (their home)

3. Honey (yummy!)

4. Stings (we don't pick them)

5. Pollination (flowers, fruits, vegetables) - explain in simple terms

Songs and activities:

1. I am bringing home a baby bumble bee

Won't my mommy be so proud of me

I am bringing home a baby bumble bee

Ouch! He stung me.

2. Here is a beehive. (hold up fist)

Where are the bees?

Hidden away where nobody sees. (shake fist)

Watch and you'll see the come out of the hive, (move head close to fist)

One, two, three, four, five. (hold fingers up one at a time as you count)

Bzzzzzz... all fly away! (wave fingers)

3. Beehive and bee coloring page can be found here.

4. Have bread and honey for a treat. (My daughter likes Honey milk - warm milk, add some honey, and mix).

5. Pretend to be bees: "fly" around the room and bzzzzz.