Lesson Plan for Toddler - Poems and Rhymes - London Bridge Is Falling Down

**Lesson Plan: "London Bridge is Falling Down"** **Age Group:** Toddlers (Ages 2-3) **Duration:** 30-40 minutes **Objectives:** 1. Introduce toddlers to the classic rhyme "London Bridge is Falling Down." 2. Develop language and vocabulary skills through song and repetition. 3. Foster listening and motor skills through structured activities. 4. Promote social interaction and cooperation through group activities. **Materials Needed:** - Poster/chart with the rhyme lyrics. - Pictures of London Bridge. - Simple musical instruments (shakers, small drums, etc.). - Blocks or other building materials. - Coloring sheets of bridges. - Crayons and markers. - Transition music for different activities. **Activities:** 1. **Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)** - Greet students warmly. - Briefly introduce the topic: explain that today's activity will focus on a fun song about a bridge. - Show a picture of London Bridge and talk about bridges in simple terms ("A bridge helps people cross over water or roads"). 2. **Song and Movement (10 minutes)** - Introduce the song "London Bridge is Falling Down." - Sing the song slowly while showing the lyrics on a chart. Encourage students to listen closely. - Sing the song again while using simple hand movements to depict falling down and building up. Encourage students to follow along with the movements. - For subsequent verses, consider using simple props like ribbons or scarves to enhance engagement. 3. **Interactive Play - Building a Bridge (10 minutes)** - Gather students around a table or on the floor with blocks or other building materials. - Facilitate a structured activity where students work together to build a simple "bridge" out of blocks. - Sing the song again and have students act out the bridge "falling down" and building it again with their blocks. 4. **Musical Fun (5 minutes)** - Pass out simple musical instruments (shakers, small drums, tambourines). - Sing the song once more with the children playing along with their instruments to the rhythm. - Encourage children to express themselves through music and celebrate their participation. 5. **Bridge Coloring Activity (10 minutes)** - Hand out bridge-themed coloring sheets. - Provide crayons and markers and encourage kids to color their bridges while singing or humming the song. - Move around the room offering praise and assistance, reinforcing the song's lyrics and the concept of building and repairing. 6. **Wrap-Up (5 minutes)** - Gather children back in a circle. - Praise them for their participation and engagement. - Sing the song together one last time, clapping hands or using small movements. - Briefly reinforce the key idea: bridges help us get from one place to another, and the song helps us remember this idea. **Transitions and Closing:** - Use transition songs or chimes to smoothly move from one activity to another. - At the end of the lesson, thank the children for their participation and remind them of what they learned. - Invite children to share their favorite part of the lesson. This integrated lesson plan uses the classic rhyme "London Bridge is Falling Down" to foster early literacy, social skills, and motor development in toddler-aged children through varied and engaging activities.