Our next few posts will contain the contents for a St. Patrick’s Day “Mini Thematic Unit” for Preschool and Kindergarten. Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with young children can be a lot of FUN! Remember to keep facts simple, but do not underestimate the power that little “seeds of knowledge” have for younger children. We only discuss St. Patrick with our preschoolers once a year, but many children will remember discussions, activities, and songs for many years to come!
Simple History of St. Patrick
Saint Patrick went to Ireland to help teach the people about Christianity. St. Patrick used the shamrock (have a paper shamrock to show the children) as a symbol of the Trinity (God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit). March 17th is the day St. Patrick died and the day we celebrate his life and Ireland.
Mini Theme Suggested Activities:
I’m Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover by Art Mooney (words by Mort Dixon, music by Harry Woods, 1927)
I’m looking over a four-leaf clover,
That I overlooked before.
One leaf is sunshine, the second is rain,
Third is the roses that grow in the lane.
No need explaining, the one remaining,
Is somebody I adore,
I’m looking over a four-leaf clover,
That I overlooked before.
St. Patrick’s Day Sensory Bins
St. Patrick’s Day Sensory Bins are fun to explore! In this bin we used green coins, gold crosses, shamrocks of different textures and sizes, floral necklaces, balls of different textures, green buttons with different textures, glow bracelets, foam sunglasses, shredded paper, ribbons, and a miniature hat to entice the children to come and PLAY! *Supervise children carefully when using small items in sensory bins!
St. Patrick’s Day Science Activities
Tasting Experiment – St. Patrick’s Day Flavored Milk Tasting Experiment
Materials needed: Milk, water, or another liquid that flavoring can be added to, different flavors for the children to try: we chose strawberry, vanilla, mint, chocolate, and cherry flavoring for our experiment (*please note any allergies among your students before doing this experiment in the classroom), cups, cupcake liners (to shield the color from the taster), straws, pencils or markers, and one recording sheet (linked above) for each child.
We did this activity as a small group group activity. Pour a small amount of liquid into the cups and have the children close their eyes while adding different flavors to each of the cups. The children can “taste test” as many cups as time allows (the recording sheet allows for up to 5 different flavors.) Put the cupcake liners over each of the cups and poke a straw through the center of the liner. Have the children taste test each of their cups (one at a time) and predict which flavoring was added to the cups. The children can record their predictions and whether or not they liked it on the recording sheet above.
Extension Activity: Make flavored chocolate spoons for the children to taste test. See if the children can predict which flavoring was added to different chocolate covered spoons.
Come back and visit our blog this week as we post St. Patrick’s Day literacy, math, art, a food craft, and a large motor scavenger hunt for use at home or in the classroom!
For MORE St. Patrick’s Day Activities for Preschoolers – please visit:
St. Patrick’s Day {Part 2}
St. Patrick’s Day {Part 3}
