Materials:

• chart paper
• markers, crayons, and paper
• a variety of books and pictures of baby animals

Objective: These baby animal activities will encourage language development, math and science concepts, and fine-motor skills.

ACTIVITIES

Baby Animal Names.  The following song will help children learn the names of different baby animals. Write the song on chart paper and extend the experience by creating a chart that includes the names and pictures of additional baby animals, including ducklings, tadpoles, fawn, penguin chick, lion cubs, sea otter pups, and so on.

Baby Animals (to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star")
by Risa Young

Chickens have chicks
Rabbits have bunnies
Dogs have puppies
They are cute and they are funny.

Cats have kittens
A cow has a calf
A bear has a cub
Baby animals make us laugh.

Old MacDonald's Baby Animal Farm.  Change the words to "Old MacDonald's Farm" to "and on his farm he had baby animals..." Assist children in using the words for the particular baby animals. Invite children to act out each animal with movements and animal sounds. Use props such as plastic baby animals or baby animal puzzle pieces as you sing your song.

Baby Animal Books.  Collect a variety of books for your class library about baby animals, including photographic books for very young children. Read the books with the children each day. Encourage the children to learn and use words to describe baby animals. Talk about the types of coats different animals have, including feathers or fur, or the different types of skin fish or reptiles have. Which animals have many babies? Which animals only have one baby at a time? How do adult animals care for their babies?

Baby Animals Come to School.  Plan a special day for children to bring their favorite "baby animal" stuffed toys to school. Include their animals in your greeting song or circle time rituals. Invite children to use their animals in different areas of the classroom. Create a language experience chart with children to encourage them to share information about their animals. What type of baby animal is it? What is your baby animal's name? How do you take care of your baby animal?

Curriculum Connection

Math: Animal Cards

Collect or photocopy a variety of baby animals and their adult counterparts. Place each picture on an individual sheet of oaktag and write the name of each animal on the bottom or top of the picture. Cover with clear contact paper to make animal sorting cards. Share the cards with children during group time. Ask children to identify which animals are babies and which animals are adults. Assist them in matching the baby animal with the corresponding adult animal. The animal cards can also used for sorting, classifying, and counting activities.