Danielle Hunter, Author at The Nest School Online Curriculum

Flower Paints

Sensory Recipes with Buddy A soft watercolor paint made from real petals, one color per cup. This sensory experience helps children learn… First, next, lastPetals, then water, then stir, then paint. Cause and effectPressing the petals turns the water pink. Small hand musclesPressing with a spoon, stirring, and painting. Words for what they noticeSoft, wet, […]

Hi, Hello, and How Are You?

Fingerplays & Songs Sung to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” greeting one friend at a time. This song helps children learn… Greeting wordsHi and hello, practiced over and over. Answering a questionSomeone asks, and it is their turn to reply. Names of friendsHearing their own name sung by the group. BelongingEvery child […]

Buddy was his Name-O

Fingerplays & Songs Sung to the tune of “BINGO,” spelling our own Buddy one clap at a time. This song helps children learn… Letter namesB, U, D, D, Y said out loud again and again. Holding a patternRemembering which letter turns into a clap. Steady beatFive claps and letters spaced evenly apart. Waiting and quietSilent […]

This Little Piggy

Fingerplays & Songs A toe-and-finger rhyme, said slowly, one little piggy at a time. This rhyme helps children learn… Body awarenessNoticing five separate toes or fingers, one at a time. Counting one to oneOne touch for each piggy, all the way to five. AnticipationWaiting for the big finish they know is coming. Back and forth […]

We’ve Got the Beat

Fingerplays & Songs A body-percussion chant, spoken rather than sung, so any steady beat works. This chant helps children learn… Steady beatMatching a movement to a repeating pulse. Body part namesNaming hands, feet, knees, and hips as they move. Motor planningStarting and stopping four beats on cue. Listening and turn takingWaiting for the next body […]

Big and Small

Fingerplays & Songs A size-hunting song sung to the tune of “Frère Jacques.” This song helps children learn… Size wordsUsing big and small to describe what they see. Comparing objectsDeciding which of two things is bigger. Listening for the cueHolding the size and object in mind before hunting. Repetition and rhythmSteady beat and repeated phrases […]

If Your Name Is…

Fingerplays & Songs A name song to support sense of self, name recognition, and movement. This song helps children learn… Their own nameRecognizing and responding when their name is called. Listening for a cueStopping and sitting on the signal builds self-regulation. Gross motor controlJumping, stomping, and balancing with body awareness. Belonging in a groupWaiting for […]

Author: Danielle Hunter