Appreciation Activity for the Very Young

I use this old Russian folk song to teach appreciation and thankfulness to very young children.

One day, I asked a group of toddlers and preschoolers what they liked and what made them really happy. I made a list of their heartwarming answers and jotted their names or symbols next to each answer. I posted it in a good spot, and we often sang the song with their answers inserted. The smiles on their faces when they heard their answers incorporated in the song were priceless.

Many enrichment activities could be done alongside this, such as creating a book with children's drawings, reading a book by Jim Gill, or making a video for parents. Listen to the song and you'll get the idea. If you have an active 2- to 4-year-old, look at Jim Gill's CDs. They include many active songs.

May there always be sunshine,

May there always be blue skies,

I hope this activity helps you learn and have fun.

Nanci J Bradley is an early childhood and family educator, author, teacher, family aerobics instructor, and all-around fun-loving person. She believes in the power of sleep, healthy eating, lifelong learning, and most of all, PLAY!  She studied early childhood ed at Triton College and received her BS in education in 1986 from NIU. She received her MA in human development from Pacific Oaks College in 2011. She lives and teaches in Madison WI and is the founder of early childhood rocks, a non-profit org dedicated to creating change through early childhood education.

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These are simple phrases that you can start using today. They work because they're developmentally appropriate and use the language that clicks in a young child's brain. Click on the mock-up and get started now. These phrases make guidance feel good.

May there always be mummy,

May there always be me!

My little friend,

Listce the dream of the people

Hearts old and you

Never have done

Singing the song you have sung.

(Chorus)

Soldier lad, stay!

Hear what we say—

War would make all of us losers

Peace is our prize

Millions of eyes

Anxiously gaze at the skies.

(Chorus)

Down with all war!

We want no more.

People stand up for you children

Sing everyone—

Peace must be won,

Dark clouds must not hide the sun.

(Chorus)