Gardening
Suggested Age: Toddler-Grade 1
Submitted by Sri TenCate, State Librarian, Molokai Public Library
Books:
Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
My Garden by Kevin Henkes
The Molokai Public Library holds a monthly “READ TO ME Family Night.” We start the program with the introductory song, “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” and sing songs related to the monthly theme. One of our regular volunteers is a musician who plays her Vietnamese bamboo instrument and accompanies the singers, which include parents, volunteers, children, and staff. At times, her husband comes with a guitar and forms a “band.” Then we share theme-related books to read aloud. The read-aloud is followed by craft activities with supplies provided. After the completion of the activities, every child chooses a new book to keep.
Activity 1: Bookmark
Materials:
- Heavy paper in color of your choice
- Dried flowers, leaves, and roadside weeds or stickers
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Cut paper 2” x 2 ½ ” by 6”- 8” .
- Gather dried flowers, leaves, roadside weeds or stickers.
- Arrange and glue the dried flowers, leaves, roadside weeds or stickers onto the bookmark.
Activity 2: Flower (See illustration above.)
Materials:
- Different colored paper
- Pencil or pen
- Scissors
- Glue
Templates:
Instructions:
- Draw different-sized hearts
- Cut out the hearts.
- Glue hearts to make a flower.