MA Standards:
Speaking and Listening/SL.PK.MA.1a: Observe and use appropriate ways of interacting in a group (e.g. taking turns in talking, listening to peers, waiting to speak until another person is finished talking, asking questions and waiting for an answer, gaining the floor in appropriate ways).
Language/L.PK.MA.1.e: Use the most frequently occurring prepositions (e.g., to, from, in, out, on, off, for, of, by, with).
Head Start Outcomes:
Social Emotional Development/Self-Regulation: Follows simple rules, routines, and directions.
Language Development/Receptive Language: Attends to language during conversations, songs, stories, or other learning experiences.
PreK Learning Guidelines:
English Language Arts/Language 1: Observe and use appropriate ways of interacting in a group (taking turns in talking; listening to peers; waiting until someone is finished; asking questions and waiting for an answer; gaining the floor in appropriate ways).
Science and Technology/Technology and Engineering 27: Use the most frequently occurring prepositions (e.g., to, from, in, out, on, off, for, of, by, with).
EEC Infant and Toddler Guidelines:
PW50.: The older toddler engages in a variety of physical activities.
Play Together: Bear, Bear, Fish!
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
ELA Focus Skills: Follow Directions, Gross Motor Skills, Vocabulary (Prepositions)
Play a game with children based on the game “Duck, Duck, Goose.” Have children stand in a circle. Say, Let’s imagine all the space outside our circle is water. Bears do not live in water, they just ride in a boat on water. But fish do live in water. So only fish can be outside the circle as we play Bear, Bear, Fish! In the game, a fish is looking for a friend to play with . . . in the water.
Pick a child to start the game as the “fish.” Say,
- The fish will walk around and tap each player, saying “bear” until picking one person to call “fish.”
- If the fish taps you and calls, “Fish,” chase the fish around the circle. He or she will try to get back to your spot before you do.
- If the fish gets in your space first, he or she wins, and you become the next fish to look for a friend.
Educator Tip: Be sure to discuss game rules about tapping gently and running carefully.