Week 1 - My Family
Learning about baby animals is a topic that children can relate to. Children were once babies as well and have families to help care for them and watch them grow. This allows children to reflect on their own family roles and dynamics. Teachers can engage children by asking them to think about who is in their families and how they take care of each other. Through these reflections, children are able to understand what they were like as babies and how they’ve grown. Children are also able to discover what makes their families unique and special.

Letters: Tt, Oo. Phonic Words: tomato, turkey, train, ostrich, ox, octagon. Basic Concepts: orange, oval, fairness.

                                                 
Week 2 - Carrying Babies
Animals have special skills when transporting their babies. Like humans, they find ways to carry them safely from place to place. When learning about these unique ways to carry babies, children can try to mimic what it would be like to carry babies in various ways. Teachers can help by setting up different gross motor games and spaces for imaginary play. Children can build onto their critical thinking skills as they problem-solve ways to carry a variety of items. Children may also reflect on their own special skills and demonstrate them to their peers.

Letters: Nn, Ii. Phonic Words: nail, narwhal, necklace, inchworm, igloo, ink.

                                                 
 Week 3 - Keeping Babies Safe
Humans and animals both protect their young by keeping them close, caring for them if they are sick and creating a safe environment in which to live. When learning about protective animal parents, children can reflect on safety rules taught at home, school and in the community. This may include holding someone's hand to cross the street or establishing a meeting place if there is a fire. Teachers can use this as a transition into discussing classroom safety rules. Teachers can discover children's prior knowledge about safety, then review as needed.

Letter: Ll, Cc. Phonic Words: log, ladder, ladybug, cookie, cow, corn.

                                                 
Week 4 - Growing Babies
Children can relate to the concept of change and growth because they have experienced it in their own lives. Teachers can help children reflection how they have grown by getting taller, learning new things and exploring their world. These reflections help children become more self-aware and build their confidence by acknowledging what they can do now as compared to when they were babies. Children can also reflect on how they feel within their own community. By inquiring about their communities, children can have opportunities to share their experiences and knowledge with others.

Letters: Tt, Oo, Nn, Ii, Ll, Cc. Phonic Words: tomato, turkey, train, ostrich, ox, octagon, nail, narwhal, necklace, inchworm, igloo, ink, log, ladder, ladybug, cookie, cow, corn.

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