### Lesson Plan: Living Things
#### Age Group: Toddlers (2-3 years old)
**Duration:** 30 minutes
**Objective:**
- To introduce the concept of living things.
- To help toddlers identify and differentiate between living and non-living things through interactive activities.
**Materials Needed:**
- Picture cards of various living things (animals, plants, humans)
- Picture cards of non-living things (toys, furniture, etc.)
- Plush animal toys
- Simple botanical specimens (like a small potted plant)
- Soft blanket or mat for circle time
- Storybook about animals or plants
- Large drawing paper and crayons
- Stickers of animals, plants, and other living things
---
### Introduction (5 minutes)
1. **Greeting and Circle Time:**
- Gather the children in a circle on a soft blanket or mat.
- Greet the children warmly and sing a welcome song to create a positive atmosphere.
2. **Introduction to the Topic:**
- Show pictures of living things and say their names out loud (e.g., "This is a dog. A dog is a living thing").
- Explain briefly that living things are things that grow, move, and need food and water.
---
### Main Activity (15 minutes)
1. **Story Time:**
- Read a short, engaging storybook about animals or plants.
- Pause occasionally to ask simple questions (e.g., "What sound does a dog make?" or "Can you see the tree growing?").
2. **Interactive Learning:**
- Show the children a set of picture cards, some of living things and some of non-living things.
- Ask the children to help you sort the cards by placing living things in one pile and non-living things in another.
- Use plush animal toys and a small potted plant to show real-life examples of living things. Let the children touch and explore these items under supervision.
---
### Hands-On Activity (10 minutes)
1. **Art and Craft:**
- Hand out large drawing paper and crayons to each child.
- Encourage the children to draw their favorite living thing (demonstrate by drawing a simple animal or plant on a whiteboard).
- Offer animal and plant stickers for the children to stick on their drawings.
2. **Review and Praise:**
- Show each child's drawing to the group and praise their efforts.
- Use this time to reinforce the concept by asking them to name what they have drawn and whether it is a living thing.
---
### Conclusion (5 minutes)
1. **Recap:**
- Recap the lesson by quickly reviewing the key points (what living things are and examples of living things).
- Sing a simple song about animals or plants to reinforce learning (e.g., "Old MacDonald Had a Farm").
2. **Goodbye Circle:**
- Gather the children in a circle again and thank them for participating.
- Sing a goodbye song to end the class on a happy note. Offer each child a sticker as a reward for their participation.
---
**Notes for Teachers:**
- Keep the session lively and engaging to match the short attention span of toddlers.
- Use simple, clear language and plenty of visuals.
- Ensure all materials are safe and age-appropriate.
- Be prepared to offer extra assistance to children who might need more help understanding the concepts.