Objective

By the end of this lesson, the toddler will be able to explore the theme of pumpkins through music-related activities, fostering creativity and imagination.

Materials and Prep

• Pumpkin-themed music (can be found online or through streaming services)
• Empty plastic containers or pots
• Markers or crayons
• Optional: Pumpkin-shaped cutouts or stickers

Activities

1. Create Pumpkin Drums

Using the empty plastic containers or pots, have the toddler decorate them with markers or crayons to resemble pumpkins. They can also add pumpkin-shaped cutouts or stickers for added decoration.

2. Dance to Pumpkin Music

Play pumpkin-themed music and encourage the toddler to dance and move around to the rhythm. You can demonstrate different dance moves and encourage them to imitate or come up with their own.

3. Sing Pumpkin Songs

Teach the toddler simple pumpkin songs or rhymes. Sing together, emphasizing the words and actions associated with pumpkins. For example, "Five Little Pumpkins" or "Pumpkin, Pumpkin."

4. Improvise with Pumpkin Sounds

Encourage the toddler to make different sounds associated with pumpkins, such as knocking, tapping, or thumping. Have them experiment with the pumpkin drums they created or any other objects they can find.

Toddler Grade Talking Points

• "Pumpkins are big, round fruits that come in different colors like orange and yellow."
• "We can make our own drums that look like pumpkins. We can decorate them with colors and shapes."
• "When we hear pumpkin music, we can dance and move our bodies in different ways."
• "Let's sing songs about pumpkins. Singing helps us remember things and makes us feel happy."
• "We can make sounds like pumpkins by tapping or knocking on different objects. It's fun to explore different sounds!"