Sun Catchers & Letter S

Toddlers develop seasonal awareness through movement and repetition.

Objectives

Instructions

Materials

- Large cardboard cutouts of the letter S

- Clear contact paper with the sticky side facing up

- Pre-cut shapes of translucent colored tissue paper

- Painter tape to secure materials to the table

- A small mirror for facial recognition of the S sound

Learning Objectives

- Recognize the visual shape of the letter S.

- Develop fine motor skills through grasping and placing paper pieces.

- Associate the letter S with the theme of Summer.

- Practice the S sound through repetitive verbal modeling.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the workspace by taping the cardboard S frames onto the table.

2. Apply the contact paper over the frame so the sticky side is exposed for the children.

3. Gather the children in a small group and hold up a large letter S.

4. Say the letter name clearly and make the sssss sound while pointing to the sun outside the window.

5. Demonstrate how to pick up a piece of tissue paper and press it onto the sticky surface.

6. Encourage each toddler to place their own pieces within the boundaries of the S frame.

7. Assist children who struggle with the sticky texture by guiding their hand to the paper.

8. Narrate their actions by saying words like sticky, soft, and S for summer.

9. Allow the children to explore the sensory experience of the adhesive until the letter is covered.

10. Remove the tape and hang the finished sun catchers in a sunny window to display the light.

Educator Tip

Toddlers often find the sensation of sticky contact paper overwhelming. If a child hesitates to touch the surface, provide a small paintbrush or a plastic spoon for them to press the tissue paper down instead of using their fingers. This keeps them engaged without causing sensory distress.

Assessment

- Observe if the child attempts to place tissue paper within the designated letter area.

- Note if the child responds to the sssss sound during the demonstration.

- Record whether the child can identify the letter S when prompted by the teacher.

Assessment

Participation, imitation, simple labeling.

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