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Lesson

Be Yourself

icon_be-yourself

About this Lesson

Introduce preschool-aged children to the alphabet by focusing on specific letters in their names. This promotes a sense of self, and focuses on recognizing and writing their name.

Skills Addressed

  • Connecting with Others
  • Participate in Groups
  • Independence
  • Letter Recognition
Lesson Details and Resources Lesson Books Lesson Activities Lesson Close

Lesson Details

Children will also learn how to politely greet people, including using the 3 Hs & a Wave (high-five, handshake, hug, and wave). This skill reinforces social and behavioral learning, and provides an opportunity for students to practice taking turns. Children will also be exposed to lining up and modeling what being a “good listener” looks like.

Schedule of the Day

Post a “schedule of the day” for each lesson so that caregivers and children know what is going to happen.

Warm-Up10 min

The warm-up time is the time between family arrivals and the beginning of the program. This is a time for children to get comfortable with the space and new faces. For the first class, our warm-up exercise is to make a name badge. As the children and caregivers arrive, have them write their names on a paper badge and place it in a plastic badge holder. If children cannot spell their name, have caregivers lightly write their names so children can trace over the letters. When children are done, introduce yourself, and repeat their names back to them.

  1. Have them create name badges
  2. Wear your own name badge
  3. Introduce yourself to each child and caregiver

Introduction5-7 min

Call all children and caregivers to our circle and introduce yourself. Demonstrate introducing yourself to someone, encourage caregivers to model introducing themselves to each other, and have children introduce themselves. Names are powerful and promote identity, independence, and friendships. Make every effort to pronounce names correctly.

Choose one:

  • Hello Song (long version)
  • Hello Song (short version)
  • My name is ____

Concepts (letters, numbers, shapes, & colors)3-7 min

  • Alphabet Song: Sing the alphabet song together. Use an alphabet poster to point to letters. Hand out the letters and numbers printable to children so they can follow along.
  • Counting Rhyme: Count on your fingers 1 – 10 or sing a counting rhyme.
  • Write numbers or use numbers poster and hand out the letters and numbers printables to children so they can follow along (link in green “Printable Resources” on this page).
  • Letters and Numbers Sheets

Transition3-5 min

At this time, caregivers leave the room to attend Caregiver Gear Up. It is important for both caregivers and children to feel comfortable during this time. This transition time helps children redirect to a new activity while the caregivers leave.

  • Sing Grownups Leave to caregivers. Give high fives, handshakes, or hugs.
  • While caregivers leave, hand out props (shakers, bean bags, rings, or scarves). Play transition song with props (this can be any song of your choosing).

Focusing1-2 min

Have children take their item (bean bag, scarf, ring, or shaker) and sit. Have them listen for their color (bean bag, scarf, ring, shaker, or even shoes, shirt, etc.) before they put the items away.

Good Listeners

Get ready for circle time by talking about:

  1. What is a good listener?
  2. Show me listening…eyes, arms, hands, mouths…
  3. Sit crisscross applesauce
  4. Teach a focusing activity that they will use for the remainder of the lessons:
    • Hand in the air
    • Clap and refrain
    • If you can hear my voice…
    • Bubbles

Circle Time5-7 min

It is useful to have an activity calendar or board that is used for each class that lists the word of the day, weather, days of the week, and seasons. These can be purchased or homemade. Leader should find ways to ensure all children have an opportunity to speak. This can be done by calling out individuals but be careful to not pressure children who are not ready.

  1. Circle Time: Introduce the theme of the day. Have a “word of the day” related to the theme – write it out and sound it out
  2. What is interesting about today?
  3. Activity Board
  4. Day of the Week talk
  5. Days of the Week song
  6. Month of the Year talk
  7. Weather talk
  8. Season

Lesson Activities

  • 3 Hs & a Wave
  • Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

Printable Resources

  • Posters, Flyers, and Infographics

Caregiver Resources

  • Be Yourself Caregiver Handout

    English Spanish
  • Be Yourself Caregiver Gear Up Lesson

    View PDF
  • Be Yourself Discussion Questions

    English Spanish

Lesson Books

Adding a book to the lesson helps the children understand what being yourself means and how, while we are all different, we are all the same as well. The books teach individuality, inclusion, and perspective.

Previewing a Book

Introduce the book. Ask thematic and open-ended questions about the book and character motivation during the reading. Have the children make predictions about what will happen in the book and “preview” some pages concerning what they think the book will be about.

More Book Options
Be Who You Are cover

Be Yourself

Be Who You Are

By Todd ParrLittle, Brown and Company

Children are encouraged to be proud of what makes them unique, where they come from, and how they express themselves and see the world.

Ways To Welcome cover

Be Yourself

Ways to Welcome

By Linda AshmanFarrar Straus Giroux

Illustrations and easy-to-read, rhyming text show how to give a friendly welcome at school, in the neighborhood, or at home.

Next Steps

Theme4-5 min

Discuss how we’re all different but are also all the same. We are all people, we are all a part of this community, and we all come to the library. We all have different eyes and hair, and that is okay. It makes us unique. After the read aloud, ask children:

  • What are some of the things the character likes about themself?
  • Were some of the character’s likes the same as yours?
  • Why is it important to like yourself?

Option: Point out the body parts the character mentioned in the story. Have students point to each of their body parts mentioned: fingers, ears, nose, toes, head, knees, hips, lips, and spine.

Form a Line & Follow the Leader5-10 min

We will be forming a line every class meeting. It is important for children to practice getting and staying in a line for kindergarten success.

  1. Have children form a line – demonstrate this with an additional staff person or volunteer.
  2. Turn around, show who the head of the line is, and who the end of the line is.
  3. Demonstrate follow the leader.
  4. Line the children up.
  5. Play follow the leader, switching often so everyone has an opportunity to be the line leader.
  6. Return to circle.

Variation: After forming a line, add music and march to the music. March to a destination in the library and back. Give children rhythm instruments and encourage them to shake to the beat of the march.

Lesson Activities

This week, we will learn the 3 Hs & a Wave activity. We will be using the 3 Hs & a Wave during all lessons when caregivers leave and come back.

More Activity Options

Be Yourself

3 Hs & a Wave

  • Prep Time: None
  • Activity Time: <5 Min
  • Skills: Communication, Connecting with Others, Independence
View Activity

Be Yourself

Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

  • Prep Time: None
  • Activity Time: <5 Min
  • Skills: Body & Spatial Awareness, Focus & Self Control, Function in Group
View Activity

Lesson Close

Caregivers Return1-2 min

Sing Glad You’re Back.

Closing Activity3-5 min

  • Have children demonstrate to their caregiver what a “good listener” is by using each part of their body and what it means with hands, arms, legs, ears, mouth, and eyes.
  • Ask children to introduce themselves to their caregiver.
  • Goodbye Song
  • Have children demonstrate 3 Hs & a Wave with you before leaving.

Kindergarten Gear Up by San Diego County Library is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Kindergarten Gear Up is a 10-session customizable curriculum for children and their caregivers. Kindergarten Gear Up gives library staff the tools they need to present this to their communities.

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