The Little Red Caboose - You Can Do It, Even Though You're Small!

Preschool Themes: Trains / You Can Do It, Even Though You're Small!

Bible Theme:  -Loaves and Fishes-

Introduction: Show the children some nice glossy pictures of various trains. Get a nice over-sized book on trains at the library, and choose pictures with color and variety. Show a caboose, a passenger train, a diesel engine, etc. Spend a few moments discussing the pictures with the children.

Story: The Little Red Caboose, by Marion Potter .

Explain that even though small, the caboose was very important.

Finger play: "The Train"

Say: "Here is the engine on the track (thumb)

Here is the coal car, just in back (pointer)

Here is the box car to carry freight (middle)

Here is the mail car. Don't be late. (ring)

Way back here at the end of the train (little)

Rides the caboose through the sun and the rain."

Song: "Choo Choo Train," by Gary Lapow, from "I Like Noodles" album.

Bible Verse Bracelets: (The children love these! Print out multiple rows of the Bible verse onto a sheet of colored computer paper. Cut between each verse so that you have lots of long strips, each with the verse printed on it. Give one to each of the children by wrapping it round a wrist and securing it with a piece of sticky tape.)

Matthew 19:14: "But Jesus said, 'Allow the little children to come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.' "

Story: What's for Lunch? by Joanne Bader.

Discuss how, just as in the caboose story, the most insignificant character can have the most important role. Reiterate how Jesus pays attention to and values children.

Song: "Praise Him, Praise Him" from "Songs of Praise" album by Cedarmont Kids.

Finger play: "I Caught a Fish Alive"

Say: "1-2-3-4-5, once I caught a fish alive.

6-7-8-9-10, then I let him go again.

Why did I let him go?

Because he bit my finger so!

Which finger did he bite?

This little finger on the right!"

Art Activity: Shape Train Collage

Use basic geometric shapes to form a collage of a train engine. With three circles for wheels, a square and a rectangle for the body of the engine, two triangles for the front of the train and top of its smokestack, a small square for a window, smaller rectangles for the roof and other details, help the children organize the shapes into a train. Use various bright colors for the shapes, and paste them onto a black background sheet. Use a bit of white chalk to create a wisp of smoke coming out of the top. The effect is very nice.

Enrichment: Give children "Fish Baskets" as they leave. Fill paper trays or disposable bowls with snack fish and oyster crackers, or other type of snacks that resemble loaves and fishes.

Back to School - Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes

Storytime Lesson - Back to School!

Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes, by Eric Litwin and James Dean 

Preschool Themes: Going to School, Shoes, Anxiety

Christian Themes: Anxiousness, Trust in God

Introduction: This storytime lesson is ideal for sharing right before the school year starts. Whether your children are going back to preschool or starting kindergarten or elementary school for the first time, this lesson confronts their fears and teaches them about all the fun awaiting them at school.

Bring in several pair of shoes, preferably in funky colors and styles. Ask the children which is their favorite. Ask them if they've had to get new shoes for the new school year. Take a few minutes to talk about back-to-school shopping and some of their expectations about school. What kinds of things will they do at school? What are some of the things they'll see?

Read: Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes, by Eric Litwin. Discuss the various situations Pete the Cat encountered in the book. Was Pete anxious (nervous, scared) about going to school for the first time? What did he get to do there? Did he have fun? Is he looking forward to going back again?

Song Activity: "It's time to Go to School" (Act out and sing to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell.)

It's time to go to school,

It's time to go to school,

Ring, ring, it's time to go,

It's time to go to school.

Let's put our red shoes on,

Let's put our red shoes on,

Ring, ring, it's time to go,

Let's put our red shoes on!

We're riding in the bus,

We're riding in the bus,

Ring, ring, it's time to go,

We're riding in the bus.

We put our things in our cubby,

We put our things in our cubby,

Ring, ring, it's time to sing,

We put our things in our cubby.

We listen at circle time,

We listen at circle time,

Ring, ring it's time to listen,

We listen at circle time.

We paint at the easel,

We paint at the easel,

Ring, ring, it's time to paint,

We paint at the easel.

We eat our food at lunch,

We eat our food at lunch,

Ring, ring, it's time to eat,

We eat our food at lunch.

Continue substituting any relevant lines as long as interest and creativity last!

Bible Verse Bracelets: Philippians 4:6 (CEV) "Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God."

(Print out, on a brightly-colored sheet of paper, today's verse repeated down the page. Cut between each verse so that you have 10-15 strips, (make as many as you anticipate needing,) each with the verse printed on it. Ask the children to form a line, and using tape to stick the ends together, wrap a "Bible Verse Bracelet" round each little wrist. Some children do not want to wear it; in that case, hand it to them and tell them to use the verse as a bookmark. The children love these, and come to expect them at each session! The verses also find their way home to parents and siblings, and help to spread the news about the storytime topic.)

Discuss common fears about going to school with the children. Tell them that it is very normal to have these fears, and that everything will work out fine. Explain to them that they can talk to God any time they want to, and can tell him what they're worried about. God is faithful, hears them, and will be with them in everything they do!

Art Activity: Pete's Groovy Red School Shoes!

Print off the following template and give one to each child. Provide red glitter glue, sequins, buttons, bits of yarn or other fibers, crayons, and anything else you might like and let the kids rock out their school shoes! Hang from the ceiling to add some back-to-school sparkle to your classroom or circle area!