### Lesson Plan: Birds
**Age Group:** Toddlers (2-3 years old)
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**Objective:**
To introduce toddlers to different kinds of birds, their features, sounds, and habitats, fostering an appreciation for nature.
**Duration:**
45-60 minutes
**Materials Needed:**
- Picture books about birds
- Bird sounds audio recordings
- Feather samples (fake feathers for safety)
- Binoculars (toy or child-friendly)
- Crayons and paper for coloring
- Bird footprint stamps
- Large poster board with a simple bird outline
- Birdseed for an optional bird-feeding activity
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### Activities
1. **Introduction (5-10 minutes)**
- **Greeting and Circle Time:** Welcome the children and have them sit in a circle.
- **Topic Introduction:** Briefly tell the toddlers that today they will learn about birds—a special kind of animal that can fly!
2. **Story Time (10-15 minutes)**
- **Reading:** Choose an engaging picture book that features various birds. Some recommended titles include "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle (which features birds along with other animals) or a more bird-specific book like "Feathers for Lunch" by Lois Ehlert.
- **Discussion:** Ask simple questions about the story, focusing on identifying the birds and their colors.
3. **Bird Sounds (10 minutes)**
- **Listening Activity:** Play recordings of different bird calls and sounds.
- **Guessing Game:** Ask the toddlers to guess which bird is making the sound, encouraging them to listen closely and try to mimic the sounds.
4. **Hands-On Exploration (10 minutes)**
- **Feather Exploration:** Pass around samples of fake feathers. Allow the children to touch and feel them. Discuss their softness and the role of feathers in helping birds fly.
- **Footprint Stamping:** Offer bird footprint stamps and ink pads. Let the toddlers create their bird footprint trails on paper.
5. **Creative Activity (10-15 minutes)**
- **Bird Coloring:** Provide coloring sheets of simple bird outlines. Encourage the children to use crayons to color their birds.
- **Group Project:** On a large poster board, tape a simple outline of a bird. Let each child color a part of the bird. This collective artwork can be displayed in the classroom.
6. **Observation Time (Optional, 10 minutes)**
- **Bird Watching:** If possible, take the children outside with toy binoculars to observe real birds. Discuss the birds seen and how they move and sound.
- **Bird Feeding:** Set up a small bird feeder and show the toddlers how to fill it with birdseed. Explain how this helps the birds find food.
7. **Closing (5 minutes)**
- **Summary:** Recap what was learned about birds, emphasizing their ability to fly, the variety of sounds they make, and their colorful feathers.
- **Goodbye Song:** Sing a song related to birds, such as "Two Little Blackbirds."
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### Extension Activities
- **Bird Identification Chart:** Create a simple chart with pictures of common local birds and their names. Display it in the classroom.
- **Interactive Play:** Set up a small play area with bird-related toys, such as stuffed birds or bird puppets.
**Note to Educators:**
Always supervise toddlers closely during activities, especially during outdoor observations and when using small materials. Adjust the complexity of the activities according to the children's responses and involvement.
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**Outcome:**
By the end of the lesson, toddlers will have a basic understanding of different types of birds, their sounds, and their features, nurturing their curiosity and appreciation for nature.