Halloween is an exciting time for kids to dress up like their favorite characters! There are simple ways we can keep that excitement alive throughout the year by incorporating dress up into fun lessons for any topic! Kiddie Academy early childhood educational experts share ways to incorporate fun learning using costumes and props! Educational creativity is something that can easily be implemented year round to bring lessons and story time to life!
1. DIY Costumes.
Get creative and bring Storytime to life by making quick DIY costumes. Blanket capes, aprons, hats and scarves are great accessories for easy DIY dress up! Recycle Halloween and other themed costumes. Get creative and think of ways you can transform a costume into something else! A pair of wings can be used when dressing as a fairy princess, a butterfly or Tinkerbell. By wearing all black, you can transform and reuse accessories when dressing as a ninja, knight, or pirate!
Have fun reading “Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do” by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook. Discuss the different jobs, clothes and gear associated with each job listed through out the book.
2. Incorporating Props.
Incorporating props is another easy way to bring your story to life. Unleash your child’s imagination by gathering a few props based around your story! For example, If your reading a book about bugs, get out a magnifying glass and toy bugs! Talk about what a magnifying glass does and how it is used.
“Let’s get a better look at these bugs using our magnifying glass!”. Discuss the different bug types, the colors, and practice counting how the legs on the bugs.
Have fun reading:
Miffy’s Magnifying Glass by Dick Bruna ( Age 1 year )
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak ( Ages 3-5 years )
Bugs A to Z by Caroline Lawton ( Ages 4-8 years)
The Mystery of the stolen Statue (Third Grade Detectives) by George E. Stanley (Ages 6-9 years)
3. Storytime Recap.
Circle back to the story and pull lessons that can be reenacted. Help your child make a connection from what they learned in the story to real life.
In the books like First 100 Words by Roger Priddy (Ages 6 months- 3 years), gather or search for real objects around the house that are listed in the book. Refer to the book when you are out and about and have your child point out familiar objects.
4. Playing the Part.
Incorporate dress up and various lessons into every day play! Encourage your child to engage in play time by letting them decide who is going to play what role and what accessories each role needs! Practice taking turns by switching roles and playing different parts.
Enjoy Reading Dressing Up, A stimulating play and learn book for the preschool child, by Lorenz Children’s Books.
Discover all of the fun ways you can bring a lesson to life with dress up and think of ways you can reuse your Halloween costume! Share your Storytime creativity with us!
