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This February brings the unique occurrence of a leap year, making it a great time to explore STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math with preschoolers through stories and activities.
Leap years add an extra day to our calendar, giving us a chance to learn about how we keep time and Earth’s orbit. Let’s not just learn; let’s celebrate!
In this STEAM activity for preschoolers, we’ll host a STEAM-inspired birthday party for Leopold from “Leopold’s Long Awaited Leap Year Birthday” by Dawn Desjardins, turning this leap year into an unforgettable experience for our preschoolers.
The Magic of STEAM Storytime for Preschoolers
STEAM storytime isn’t just about reading books; it’s a 5-Star learning experience that weaves together Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, sparking curiosity and nurturing a love for learning from a young age. For preschoolers, whose imaginations know no bounds, stories like “Leopold’s Long Awaited Leap Year Birthday” serve as a springboard for deeper exploration, turning abstract concepts into tangible, engaging lessons. Through STEAM storytime, children learn to see the connections between the story world and the real world, developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity.
Exploring Leap Year with Leopold
Our journey begins with storytime, where we meet Leopold, a frog who has to wait four long years for his birthday to come around. This heartwarming tale not only introduces the concept of leap years in an accessible way but also opens up discussions about patience, time, and the specialness of leap day.
Next, we dive into crafting our own calendars, emphasizing the extra day in February. This hands-on activity reinforces the leap year concept and allows children to express their creativity while learning about calendars and the passage of time.
But what’s learning without a little play? Incorporating a leap frog game, where children can hop around like frogs, not only gets them moving but also symbolically represents the idea of leaping into a new season, just as the Earth ‘leaps’ into alignment with the calendar.
A Leap Day Birthday Party for Leopold
To bring our leap year celebration full circle, we throw a birthday party for Leopold, complete with frog-themed decorations, leap year crafts, and of course, a special birthday cake. This party is not just a celebration of Leopold’s birthday but also a celebration of curiosity, learning, and the joy of coming together as a community.
As we plan the party, we incorporate elements of STEAM:
- Science: Discussing why leap years occur and how they keep our calendar in sync with the Earth’s orbit.
- Technology: Using technology to research fun facts about frogs and leap years.
- Engineering: Building frog-themed decorations and perhaps a small frog habitat.
- Art: Creating leap year crafts and birthday cards for Leopold.
- Math: Counting out the days of the month and understanding the significance of the extra day.
Why STEAM Storytime Matters
STEAM storytime, especially when centered around something as intriguing as a leap year, encourages preschoolers to ask questions, seek answers, and view the world around them with wonder. It blends the joy of reading with the excitement of discovery, fostering an early appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things STEAM.
As we celebrate leap years with stories like Leopold’s, we’re not just marking time; we’re leaping into a world of infinite possibilities, nurturing the next generation of thinkers, dreamers, and doers. So, here’s to leap years, to Leopold, and to the endless adventures that await in the pages of a book and the wonders of the world around us. Let’s make every storytime a STEAM-powered journey into learning.
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