### Lesson Plan: Weather (Nature Study for Toddlers)
#### **Lesson Title:** Discovering Weather
#### **Age Group:** Toddlers (Ages 2-3)
#### **Duration:** 30-45 minutes
#### **Objective:**
- To introduce toddlers to different types of weather.
- To help them understand basic weather concepts through sensory experience and play.
- To encourage curiosity and observation of the natural world.
#### **Materials:**
- Picture cards of various weather conditions (sunny, rainy, windy, snowy)
- Simple weather symbols (cut-out sun, cloud, raindrop, snowflake)
- Weather-related storybook or picture book
- Weather songs or rhymes (e.g., "Rain, Rain, Go Away")
- Sensory play materials: cotton balls (clouds), spray bottle with water (rain), fan (wind), ice cubes (snow)
- Dress-up clothes (raincoat, boots, sunglasses, hat, scarf)
- Large piece of paper and crayons/markers
#### **Activities:**
1. **Circle Time Discussion (10 minutes)**
- **Introduction:** Begin by gathering the toddlers in a circle. Use a cheerful, engaging voice to greet them and introduce the topic of the day: Weather.
- **Picture Cards:** Show picture cards of different weather conditions. Name each one clearly: “This is sunny,” “This is rainy,” etc. Encourage the toddlers to repeat after you.
- **Real-life Connection:** Ask simple questions to engage the children. “What do you see when it’s sunny outside?” “What happens when it rains?”
2. **Story Time (10 minutes)**
- **Weather Book:** Choose a weather-themed picture book suitable for toddlers. Read the book aloud, showing the pictures and pausing to ask simple questions or make comments.
- **Interactive Reading:** Encourage toddlers to point out and name weather elements in the book. For example, “Can you find the sun?” “Where is the snow?”
3. **Sensory Play Stations (15 minutes)**
- Set up different stations, each representing a type of weather:
- **Rain Station:** Let children use spray bottles with water to mimic rain. Discuss how rain feels and sounds.
- **Cloud Station:** Provide cotton balls to represent clouds. Allow toddlers to touch and explore the texture.
- **Wind Station:** Use a small fan to create a gentle breeze. Let children feel the wind on their faces.
- **Snow Station:** Offer ice cubes for sensory exploration. Supervise closely to ensure safe play.
4. **Weather Dress-Up and Movement (10 minutes)**
- **Dress-Up:** Provide various weather-related dress-up clothes (raincoats, boots, sunglasses, hats, scarves). Encourage children to dress up according to different weather conditions.
- **Movement Activity:** Sing a weather-related song like “Rain, Rain, Go Away” and guide toddlers through actions that match the lyrics (e.g., pretending to splash in puddles, covering heads from the sun).
5. **Art and Creativity (10 minutes)**
- **Weather Mural:** Spread out a large piece of paper and provide crayons or markers. Let the toddlers draw their favorite weather. Assist them as needed and label their drawings.
- **Weather Symbols:** Help the children glue cut-out weather symbols onto the paper. Encourage them to describe what they are gluing: “This is a sun. It’s sunny.”
#### **Wrap-Up (5 minutes)**
- Gather the children back in a circle and review what they learned about weather today. Use the picture cards to reinforce their understanding.
- Conclude with a brief recap using simple sentences: “Today we learned about sunny, rainy, windy, and snowy weather.”
- Say goodbye with a weather-related rhyme or song.
#### **Assessment:**
- Observe the toddlers’ participation and engagement during the activities.
- Note their ability to recognize and name different weather conditions.
- Assess their sensory and motor skills through play and craft activities.
#### **Extension Activities:**
- Take the children outside to observe the current weather if appropriate.
- Create a simple weather chart for the classroom and update it daily.
- Plan follow-up activities based on the children’s interests and responses.
This lesson plan is designed to be flexible and can be adjusted based on the specific needs and interests of the toddlers in your care.