Father’s Day is an excellent way to teach preschoolers about appreciation and love. This preschool lesson plan offers crafts and interactive activities to celebrate dads and significant others in children’s lives.
Theme: Celebrating Dads and Special People
Age Group: 3-5 years old
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Objectives of the lesson plan:
- Make children aware of the importance of fathers and other special people in their lives.
- Encourage creativity and self-expression through writing and crafting.
- Develop fine motor skills through crafting.
- Develop social-emotional learning through the expression of loving and appreciative sentiments.
Materials Needed for Father’s Day Activities:
- Coloured construction paper
- Glue sticks
- Child-friendly scissors
- Markers, crayons, and coloured pencils
- Stickers, glitter, and other craft decorations
- Photos of children with their dads or special people (optional, presented by parents)
- Pre-written letter templates for “To My Dad” cards
- A special snack (such as cookies or juice boxes) for a celebratory snack
Lesson Outline:
1. Circle Time Introduction (10 minutes)
Objective: Describe the concept of Father’s Day and discuss how dads are special.
- Gather children in a circle and begin with a simple question:
- “Who is even more special in your life who takes care of you?”
- Let children respond with names (dad, grandpa, uncle, etc.).
- Let them know that Father’s Day is a special day to celebrate fathers and other special people in our lives. Use simple language such as:
- “Dads play with us, love us, and support us. We’re going to have some fun today demonstrating how much we love them!”
- Read a brief picture book about fathers, such as:
- “My Dad” by Anthony Browne
- “Daddy Hugs” by Karen Katz
- “Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney (a favourite story of child and parent’s love)
2. Craft Activity: “Superhero Dad Card” (15 minutes)
Objective: Create personalized cards for dads or that special person.
- Distribute a folded piece of construction paper to each child to be used as the card’s base.
- Illustrate some examples of superhero-themed designs (e.g., stars, masks, capes). Discuss that they could decorate their card to show that their dad is a “superhero.”
- Assist children in writing or tracing a message inside the card, such as:
- “Dear Dad, You’re my superhero because… [blank space]. Love, [Child’s Name].”
- Have them decorate the outside of the card with markers, stickers, and other materials. Give hints if needed.
3. Art Project: Handprint Picture Frame (10 minutes)
Objective: Create a keepsake gift using handprints.
- Give each child a plain wooden or cardboard picture frame (or a printed paper version of a frame).
- Have the children press one hand into paintable paint and then stamp it onto the frame. Add fingerprints along the edges for extra embellishment.
- After it dries, place a photo of the child with a dad or a special person in the frame. If they don’t have a picture, have them draw a picture of themselves and their dad instead.
4. Snack Break & Discussion (5-10 minutes)
Objective: Practice gratitude while having a snack together.
- Serve a simple snack, such as heart-shaped cookies or cupcakes.
- Ask the children questions like:
- “What is one nice thing your dad does for you?”
- “How can we thank our dads today?”
5. Closing Activity: Song or Poem (5 minutes)
Objective: Close the session with a group activity to honour dads.
Teach the children a simple song or poem about dads, such as:
Song:
(Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)
“Daddy loves me so much,
He gives hugs, and he gives lunch.
Playing games and reading books,
Daddy always knows just what to do.
I love you, Daddy, yes I do,
Happy Father’s Day to you!”
Alternatively, have a short poem recited as a class.
Extension Ideas:
- Invite dads or visiting guests to the classroom at the end of the day to collect their personally made gifts.
- Send a message home inviting families to spend quality time together over the weekend.
Assessment:
- Observe participation in discussions and activities.
- Observe effort and participation in completing crafts and cards.
- Observe whether children display enthusiasm or pride when talking about their dads or special people.
This lesson plan ensures a balance of learning, creativity, and emotional connection, making it a meaningful way for preschoolers to celebrate Father’s Day!
