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Week of June 1st 2020

This week we will focus on Water, Water, Everywhere!

Getting Ready

We know that children thrive with routine, especially when there are big changes around them. World at

Home lesson plans have been designed to bring the comforting rhythms of our Bright Horizons® child

care centers right into your home, with guided learning opportunities that follow a similar schedule to

that of our classrooms. We know there is a lot here to digest. Our intent is for you to use what works for

you. Think about all the things you need to accomplish while you are at home, and add in as much

activity as you feel supports your child’s needs and your own. Change the schedule to meet your needs,

choose activities you think your child will love and skip the others, or follow this plan as it is. Our goal is

to support your child’s learning, even while you are safely at home.

Helpful Resources

All of our World at Home resources https://worldathome.brighthorizons.com/

World at Home Family Guide (https://www.brighthorizons.com/-/media/BH-New/WorldatHome/324Content/WorldatHome_FamilyGuide2)

Tips on scheduling your day https://www.brighthorizons.com/-/media/BH-New/WorldatHome/324Content/WorldatHome_SchedulingTips2

World at Home Family Webinar schedule https://worldathome.brighthorizons.com/webinars

This week: The New School Readiness

Family resources for life at home – including stress management and talking to children in difficult times https://www.brighthorizons.com/life-at-home

Table of Contents

Weekly Materials

Toddler Schedule

Preschool Schedule

Kindergarten Schedule

©2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

Water, Water, Everywhere! – Weekly Materials

Weekly Materials List (In addition to items from the General Materials List posted here.)

Bubble solution

White sock

Buckets or plastic tubs

Cups, funnels, and spoons

PVC pipe and/or pool noodles cut to various sizes

Magnetic letters or an ABC board

Flat stones

Spray bottle

Vegetable oil

Food coloring

Water, Water, Everywhere! Week

Water, Water, Everywhere! is a topic that is universal. Water exists in many forms all over the world,

and transcends people, cultures, and places. Our activities this week encourage the exploration of

water; allowing for the development of social and emotional learning, science, language, and more.

From a Reggio-inspired water/sensory activity for our youngest learners, to water writing, to a sink or

float science experiment…your child will be engaged in hands-on learning all week long! You will find

guidance on how to facilitate each of these opportunities, as well as many other resources. This week

is certain to make a splash!

Weekly Prop Box and Open-Ended Materials

Spark your child’s creativity and imagination by making a pretend boat. This kind of play promotes development and learning by encouraging children to use imitation and symbolic representation. Let your child travel the world as they sail across the ocean in a giant ship or speed down a river in a sleek canoe.

Materials

Create a boat with a large box or laundry basket big enough for your child to sit in.

Small brooms or sticks for paddles.

A piece of fabric for a sail.

Pretend food and water bottles.

Materials to decorate their boat – perhaps markers to draw on a box, or yarn to weave through the laundry basket.

©2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

Water, Water, Everywhere! for Toddlers – Monday

Early Morning

Prepare for the day

Early Morning

Breakfast

Mid-Morning

Let’s Read: “The Big Umbrella”

Late Morning

Math: I Spy Numbers

Late Morning

Get outside!

Noon Lunch

Early Afternoon

Quiet time – nap, read, or listen to an audio book

Mid-Afternoon

Art: Sidewalk Paint

Late Afternoon

Social-Emotional Learning: Water Relay

Questions and Extension Activities

Extend the Learning

In the story you are going to read today, "The Big Umbrella”, the umbrella is red. If you had an umbrella like that, what would it look like? What color would it be? Will it have lines, dots, or a face like the red umbrella in the book?

Open-ended questions to start the day

This week, you are going to be exploring water. How did you use water today? Maybe you have already used it to brush your teeth, or to wash your hands. Maybe we will use it to do laundry or the dishes. Today, encourage your child to point out whenever they see someone using water.

Conversation around the dinner table

We use water for so many things! Ask your child if they know how water helped make their dinner tonight. Maybe you used it to boil noodles or to make a sauce. Or perhaps someone at the table is drinking some right now! What are some other ways your family has used water today?

©2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

Water, Water, Everywhere! for Toddlers – Tuesday

Early Morning

Prepare for the day

Early Morning

Breakfast

Mid-Morning

Language: Water Writing

Late Morning

Music: I’m a Little Teapot

Late Morning

Get outside!

Noon Lunch

Early Afternoon

Quiet time – nap, read, or listen to an audio book

Mid-Afternoon

Social-Emotional Learning: Sensory Board

Late Afternoon

Art: Ice Painting

Questions and Extension Activities

Extend the Learning

Today you are going to draw with water. What picture would you like to draw? Encourage children to draw different shapes, lines, and curves and to talk about what they have drawn. Paint their name on the ground and see if they recognize it.

Open-ended questions to start the day

How can we turn ice cubes into paint? What will we add? What colors would you like to make? Why is the ice melting? What new colors are we making as the ice paints blend together?

Conversation around the dinner table

Reflect on your child’s day together. What did they do that was fun today? Can they tell you about their ice cube painting or sing “I’m a Little Teapot” for you one final time?

©2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

Early Morning

Prepare for the day

Early Morning

Breakfast

Mid-Morning

Let’s Read: Splish, Splash Ducky

Late Morning

Math: Recycled Egg Carton Counting

Late Morning

Get outside!

Noon Lunch

Early Afternoon

Quiet time – nap, read, or listen to an audio book

Mid-Afternoon

Language: Blow Bubbles

Late Afternoon

Sensory: Reggio-Inspired Water Exploration

Water, Water, Everywhere! for Toddlers – Wednesday

Questions and Extension Activities

Extend the Learning

Allow your child to help you make a snack or dinner today. Can he or she scrub the vegetables for you or stir together ingredients? As you work, talk about the ingredients you use. What are they called? What color are they? And what do they need to grow?

Open-ended questions to start the day

As we blow bubbles today, can you count how many you pop? How do they float in the air? How could we make bubbles without blowing them? Could we wave the wand in the air or hold it in front of a fan?

Conversation around the dinner table

Many animals live in or near the water. What are some other ways that we show kindness to animals? If you have a pet, discuss with your child all the ways your family helps take care of your pet.

©2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

Water, Water, Everywhere! for Toddlers – Thursday

Early Morning

Prepare for the day

Early Morning

Breakfast

Mid-Morning

Art: Nature Art

Late Morning

Music: I’m a Little Teapot

Late Morning

Get outside!

Noon Lunch

Early Afternoon

Quiet time – nap, read, or listen to an audio book

Mid-Afternoon

Language: Water Writing

Late Afternoon

Yoga & Mindfulness: Bear Breath

Questions and Extension Activities

Extend the Learning

Encourage your child to notice what the weather is like today. Is it bright and sunny or does it look like it will rain? Discuss what parts of the sky tell you that it might rain – there might be lots of clouds, or it might be grey and gloomy out. Put out a cup or bowl as a rain gauge to measure how much rainfall you get.

Open-ended questions to start the day

What sounds does water make? What does it sound like when it rains a little? What if it rains a lot? If you can, listen to the other sounds that water makes. It could be the water filling the bathtub or an audio recording of a stream or ocean waves.

Conversation around the dinner table

You ended your day with yoga today, which is beneficial for both minds and bodies. Talk with your child about their yoga moves today. What poses did they do? Which body parts and muscles did they stretch? Ask them show the deep bear breaths they used.

©2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

Early Morning

Prepare for the day

Early Morning

Breakfast

Mid-Morning

Music: Open, Shut Them

Late Morning

Language: Blow Bubbles

Late Morning

Get outside!

Noon Lunch

Early Afternoon

Quiet time – nap, read, or listen to an audio book

Mid-Afternoon

Sensory: Reggio-Inspired Water Exploration

Late Afternoon

Social-Emotional Learning: Water Relay

Water, Water, Everywhere! for Toddlers – Friday

Questions and Extension Activities

Extend the Learning

Many of the fruits and vegetables we eat are full of water! Try dehydrating fruits or veggies (in the oven on low or in a food dehydrator if you have one) and let your toddler see how they change when the water is gone.

Open-ended questions to start the day

What do plants need to grow? Soil, sunshine, and – of course – water! Let your child become your helper today in watering plants, indoors or out.

Conversation around the dinner table

Talk with your child about their water explorations today. Was it warm or cool? What color was it? Could they hold it in their hands or did they need a cup or bowl?

©2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

Water, Water, Everywhere! for Preschool – Monday

Early Morning

Prepare for the day

Early Morning

Breakfast

Mid-Morning

Let’s Read: “The Big Umbrella”

Late Morning

Math: I Spy Numbers

Late Morning

Get outside!

Noon Lunch

Early Afternoon

Quiet time – nap, read, or listen to an audio book

Mid-Afternoon

Art: Sidewalk Paint

Late Afternoon

Social-Emotional Learning: Water Relay

Questions and Extension Activities

Extend the Learning

In the story you are going to read today, "The Big Umbrella”, the umbrella is red. If you had an umbrella like that, what would it look like? What color would it be? Or what pattern might it have? Draw a picture of your umbrella giving shelter to yourself and others.

Open-ended questions to start the day

This week, you are going to be exploring water. What are some ways that we use water? Can you count the ways that you use water today?

Conversation around the dinner table

We use water for so many things! Ask your child if they know how water helped make their dinner tonight. Maybe you used it to boil noodles or to make a sauce. Or perhaps someone at the table is drinking some right now! What are some other ways your family has used water today?

©2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

Water, Water, Everywhere! for Preschool – Tuesday

Early Morning

Prepare for the day

Early Morning

Breakfast

Mid-Morning

Language: Water Writing

Late Morning

Let’s Play: Rain Cloud

Late Morning

Get outside!

Noon Lunch

Early Afternoon

Quiet time – nap, read, or listen to an audio book

Mid-Afternoon

Science: Sink or Float

Late Afternoon

Social-Emotional Learning: Sensory Walk

Questions and Extension Activities

Extend the Learning

Today you are going to test which objects sink or float when put in water. Once you have tested items, ask your child to consider how a boat floats on the water even when it is heavy. If you have a toy boat, let them add that to their sink or float experiment to try it out themselves.

Open-ended questions to start the day

Today you are going to test whether objects sink or float. Which objects do you think will float? Do you think the size matters? The weight? What about the shape? How do you think even some big and heavy items – like large ships on the sea – can still float?

Conversation around the dinner table

Reflect on your child’s day together. Ask them to share one new thing that they learned about water. What is something that excited them or is there something that they still wonder about?

©2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

Water, Water, Everywhere! Preschool – Wednesday

Early Morning

Prepare for the day

Early Morning

Breakfast

Mid-Morning

Toward A Better World: Kindness to Animals

Late Morning

Cooking: Fruit Smoothies

Late Morning

Get outside!

Noon Lunch

Early Afternoon

Quiet time – nap, read, or listen to an audio book

Mid-Afternoon

Language: Alphabet BINGO

Late Afternoon

Let’s Play: Exploring Water

Questions and Extension Activities

Extend the Learning

Today, you are going to make fruit smoothies. What ingredients do you think we might use for our smoothie? Discuss where the different fruits came from and what your child thinks went into growing them – soil, sunshine, and – of course – water!

Open-ended questions to start the day

In the book “Lotus & Feather,” grandpa talks about how all kinds of animals once lived on the lake. What other animals live on or near the water? What animals might live near a stream and which might live in the ocean?

Conversation around the dinner table

Lotus showed kindness to Feather in the book we read today. What are some other ways that we show kindness to animals? If you have a pet, discuss with your child all the ways your family helps take care of your pet.

©2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

Water, Water, Everywhere! for Preschool – Thursday

Early Morning

Prepare for the day

Early Morning

Breakfast

Mid-Morning

Virtual Field Trip: Niagara Falls

Late Morning

Music: Water Xylophone

Late Morning

Get outside!

Noon Lunch

Early Afternoon

Quiet time – nap, read, or listen to an audio book

Mid-Afternoon

Language: What’s Missing Memory Game

Late Afternoon

Yoga & Mindfulness: Bear Breath

Questions and Extension Activities

Extend the Learning

Today you are going to visit Niagara Falls. From photos, you will be able to see what it looks like, but encourage your child to think about what it sounds like. Recall the different sounds that water makes – the soft sounds of rain on a rooftop, the gentle babble of a stream, and the loud rumble of a rushing river.

Open-ended questions to start the day

Today you are going to use water to make music. How do you think we can use water to make certain sounds? What do you think it would sound like – soft and soothing, or loud and strong?

Conversation around the dinner table

You ended your day with yoga today, which is beneficial for both minds and bodies. Talk with your child about their yoga moves today. What poses did they do? Which body parts and muscles did they stretch? Did they play any music to help them relax through their poses?

©2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

Early Morning

Prepare for the day

Early Morning

Breakfast

Mid-Morning

Science: Water Fireworks

Late Morning

Language: My New Friend is So Fun!

Late Morning

Get outside!

Noon Lunch

Early Afternoon

Quiet time – nap, read, or listen to an audio book

Mid-Afternoon

STEM: Land, Air, and Water Sort

Late Afternoon

Let’s Play: Spray Bottle Freeze Tag

Water, Water, Everywhere! for Preschool – Friday

Questions and Extension Activities Extend the Learning

Challenge children to find objects that move in certain ways. Look for objects that spin, bounce, and roll.

Open-ended questions to start the day

Today, you are going to create bowling pins so you can go bowling. How can you make the pins so they would be easier or more difficult to knock down? Does it matter how far apart they are spaced? How is it different to play on grass or carpet instead of tile or hardwood?

Conversation around the dinner table

After today’s bowling experience, brainstorm with your child other games or sports that are played with a ball. How does the ball need to move differently in soccer versus basketball versus tennis?

Questions and Extension Activities

Extend the Learning

There is water everywhere around us! Provide a map to your child and encourage him or her to find the different bodies of water on the map. Discuss how a lake, a stream, and an ocean are similar and different.

Open-ended questions to start the day

Today you are going to do an experiment with oil and water. What do you think will happen when we put oil and water in the same container? Why do you think so? What do you think will happen when you shake it up? Let’s write down your predictions.

Conversation around the dinner table

Share the different places you have traveled. Ask your child where they would like to travel to if they could. How would they get there? If you could not take a plane, how could you cross a river or even an ocean?

©2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

Water, Water, Everywhere! for Kindergarten – Monday

Early Morning

Prepare for the day

Early Morning

Breakfast

Mid-Morning

Let’s Read: “The Big Umbrella”

Late Morning

Math: I Spy Numbers

Late Morning

Get outside!

Noon Lunch

Early Afternoon

Quiet time – nap, read, or listen to an audio book

Mid-Afternoon

Art: Sidewalk Paint

Late Afternoon

Social-Emotional Learning: Water Relay

Questions and Extension Activities

Extend the Learning

In the story you are going to read today, “The Big Umbrella”, the umbrella is red. If you had an umbrella like that, what would it look like? What color would it be? Or what pattern might it have? Draw a picture of your umbrella giving shelter to yourself and others.

Open-ended questions to start the day

This week, you are going to be exploring water. What are some ways that we use water? Can you count the ways that you use water today? Think about how the water came to your home. How do people move water from one place to another so we can use it easily during the day?

Conversation around the dinner table

We use water for so many things! Ask your child if they know how water helped make their dinner tonight. Maybe you used it to boil noodles or to make a sauce. How was water used to grow the fruits and vegetables you are eating? Or perhaps someone at the table is drinking some right now! What are some other ways your family has used water today?

©2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

Water, Water, Everywhere! for Kindergarten – Tuesday

Early Morning

Prepare for the day

Early Morning

Breakfast

Mid-Morning

Language: Water Writing

Late Morning

Let’s Play: Rain Cloud

Late Morning

Get outside!

Noon Lunch

Early Afternoon

Quiet time – nap, read, or listen to an audio book

Mid-Afternoon

Science: Sink or Float

Late Afternoon

Social-Emotional Learning: Sensory Walk

Questions and Extension Activities

Extend the Learning

Today you are going to test what objects sink or float when put in water. Once you have tested items, ask your child to consider how a boat floats on the water even when it is heavy. If you have a toy boat, let them add that to their sink or float experiment to try it out themselves. Or, challenge your child to build a miniature boat out of cardboard and test it on the water. Can it hold additional weight?

Open-ended questions to start the day

Today you are going to test whether objects sink or float. Which objects do you think will float? Do you think the size matters? The weight? What about the shape? How do you think even some big and heavy items – like large ships on the sea – can still float?

Conversation around the dinner table

Reflect on your child’s day together. Ask them to share one new thing that they learned about water. What is something that excited them or is there something that they still wonder about?

©2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

Early Morning

Prepare for the day

Early Morning

Breakfast

Mid-Morning

Toward A Better World: Kindness to Animals

Late Morning

Cooking: Fruit Smoothies

Late Morning

Get outside!

Noon Lunch

Early Afternoon

Quiet time – nap, read, or listen to an audio book

Mid-Afternoon

Language: Alphabet BINGO

Late Afternoon

Let’s Play: Exploring Water

Water, Water, Everywhere! for Kindergarten – Wednesday

Questions and Extension Activities

Extend the Learning

Today, you are going to make fruit smoothies. What ingredients do you think we might use for our smoothie? Discuss where the different fruits came from and what your child thinks went into growing them – soil, sunshine, and – of course – water! Let your child see what happens when you take the water out of fruits, by drying them in the oven or in a food dehydrator.

Open-ended questions to start the day

In the book “Lotus & Feather,” grandpa talks about how all kinds of animals once lived on the lake. What other animals live on or near the water? What animals might live near a stream and which might live in the ocean? Why is living near the water important for these animals?

Conversation around the dinner table

Lotus showed kindness to Feather in the book we read today. What are some other ways that we show kindness to animals? If you have a pet, discuss with your child all the ways your family helps take care of your pet. What are some ways we can show kindness to animals living in the wild?

©2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

Water, Water, Everywhere! for Kindergarten – Thursday

Early Morning

Prepare for the day

Early Morning

Breakfast

Mid-Morning

Virtual Field Trip: Niagara Falls

Late Morning

Music: Water Xylophone

Late Morning

Get outside!

Noon Lunch

Early Afternoon

Quiet time – nap, read, or listen to an audio book

Mid-Afternoon

Language: What’s Missing Memory Game

Late Afternoon

Yoga & Mindfulness: Daily Relaxation

Questions and Extension Activities

Extend the Learning

Today you are going to visit Niagara Falls. From photos, you will be able to see what it looks like, but ask your child to think about what it sounds like. Recall the different sounds that water makes – the soft sounds of rain on a rooftop, the gentle babble of a stream, and the loud rumble of a rushing river.

Open-ended questions to start the day

Today you are going to use water to make music. How do you think we can use water to make certain sounds? What do you think it would sound like – soft and soothing, or loud and strong?

Conversation around the dinner table

You ended your day with yoga today, which is beneficial for both minds and bodies. Talk with your child about their yoga moves today. What poses did they do? Which body parts and muscles did they stretch? Did they play any music to help them relax through their poses?

©2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC

Early Morning

Prepare for the day

Early Morning

Breakfast

Mid-Morning

Science: Water Fireworks

Late Morning

Language: Neighborhood Expert

Late Morning

Get outside!

Noon Lunch

Early Afternoon

Quiet time – nap, read, or listen to an audio book

Mid-Afternoon

STEM: Land, Air, and Water Sort

Late Afternoon

Let’s Play: Spray Bottle Freeze Tag

Water, Water, Everywhere! for Kindergarten – Friday

Questions and Extension Activities

Extend the Learning

There is water everywhere around us! Provide a map to your child and encourage him or her to find the different bodies of water on the map. Discuss how a lake, a stream, and an ocean are similar and different.

Open-ended questions to start the day

Today you are going to do an experiment with oil and water. What do you think will happen when we put oil and water in the same container? Why do you think so? What do you think will happen when you shake it up? Let’s write down your predictions.

Conversation around the dinner table

Share the different places you have traveled with your child. Ask your child where they would like to travel to if they could. How would they get there? If you could not take a plane, how could you cross a river or even an ocean?