### Lesson Plan: Appreciation
#### Subject: Civic Education
#### Grade: Toddlers (Age 2-4)
#### Duration: 30 minutes
##### Objective:
- To help toddlers understand and express appreciation.
- To foster a sense of gratitude and positive social interactions among young children.
##### Materials:
- Storybook on gratitude or appreciation
- Visual aids (pictures of people showing appreciation, thank you cards)
- Simple craft materials (colored paper, markers, stickers)
- Soft toys or puppets for role-playing
- Safe snacks for sharing
- Background music (optional)
##### Introduction (5 minutes):
1. Welcome the children and gather them into a circle.
2. Briefly explain that today, they will learn about "Appreciation"—showing thanks and being kind to others.
3. Introduce the topic by asking, "Does anyone know what it means to say 'thank you'?"
##### Story Time (10 minutes):
1. Read a short picture book about gratitude or appreciation. Example: "Thank You, Mr. Panda" by Steve Antony.
2. As you read, engage the children with questions like:
- "How do you think the panda feels when someone says thank you?"
- "What would you say if someone gave you a gift?"
##### Discussion & Role-Playing (5 minutes):
1. Show pictures of people displaying acts of appreciation (like hugging, shaking hands, giving a gift).
2. Use soft toys or puppets to role-play simple scenarios where characters thank each other.
3. Encourage the toddlers to mimic the actions with their toys or with you.
- Example: "Let's pretend your teddy bear gave you a flower. What do you say?" (Prompt response: "Thank you!")
##### Craft Activity (5 minutes):
1. Provide the children with colored paper, markers, and stickers.
2. Guide them in making simple "thank you" cards.
3. Assist them in drawing or sticking shapes and writing "thank you" with assistance as needed.
4. Allow them to decorate the cards creatively.
##### Snack Sharing & Practice Appreciation (5 minutes):
1. Distribute safe snacks for sharing among the children.
2. Encourage each child to thank the person who gave them the snack.
3. Prompt responses with gentle reminders: "Can you say thank you to [Child's Name] for sharing?"
##### Closing (2 minutes):
1. Gather the children back into a circle.
2. Recap what they learned about appreciation.
3. Sing a short song about saying "thank you." Example: "If You're Thankful and You Know It" (to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It").
```
If you're thankful and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap),
If you're thankful and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap),
If you're thankful and you know it, then your face will surely show it,
If you're thankful and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap).
```
4. Give them a cheerful goodbye, appreciating their participation: "Thank you for being such wonderful learners today!"
##### Additional Notes:
- Ensure the environment is friendly and safe for all activities.
- Be patient and make the activities fun to keep the toddlers engaged.
- Notice and verbally appreciate any act of cooperation or kindness shown by the children during the lesson.
This lesson plan aims to introduce toddlers to the concept of appreciation in a simple, engaging, and interactive way suitable for their age and capabilities.