Whole Group Activity: Music and Movement

During this activity, families and children will engage in a Music and Movement session, dancing and singing a familiar preschool song (such as Baby Shark or Gracie’s Corner Hokey Pokey). First, everyone will be guided to engage in a one to two-minute stretch to loosen up their muscles. Next, everyone will stand or sit (as desired) and follow the dance moves to the song as the song plays from a speaker (set up in advance before the activity). Once the song ends, encourage families to high-five their children and thank everyone for their participation.

Centers

Arts and Crafts: Create a flag that represents their culture or identity. The families will work with their children to create a flag that represents their culture or identity, first coloring the regular-shaped paper, then gluing small materials to the paper as desired. The small materials will include buttons, small paper cut-out shapes, beads, feathers, string/yarn, etc. Lastly, the families will glue or tape a popsicle stick to the edge of the flag, representing the flag’s pole.

Music: Create rain stick using a food that is popular in their culture or household. The food that will be included to choose from are beans, rice, corn, quinoa, etc. First, families will work with their children to decorate the exterior of the rain stick (paper towel roll) using markers and colored pencils. Then, the families and children will fill the interior of the rain stick with the food that they choose. Lastly, the families and children will seal the rain stick and listen to the sound it makes.

Writing Center: Create a self-portrait. Families and children will each have a small mirror to show their reflection and draw themselves on a sheet of paper. Families and children will be guided to look in the mirror and draw what they see or draw themselves as they feel they look like. For those who’s culture prevents them from using mirrors, they can draw themselves as what they portray themselves to look like. Everyone will use crayons, markers, and colored pencils to draw their self-portraits.

Closing Reflection Activity: Goodbye Song

Closing Family Night like Family Night was opened, families and children will be encouraged to engage in singing the Goodbye Song (by the Singing Walrus) while waving goodbye. Children and families can dance as well, if they choose to do so.