A Sweet Way to Learn About "Stop" and "Go"

DESCRIPTION

Walking is a great way to explore your own community and there is plenty of nature to explore. Along the way help teach young children the importance of following traffic rules. Here is a sweet idea to help get kids ready to go - learning what the colors of the stop light mean.

MATERIALS

• Graham Crackers (Honeymaid makes a good size rectangle cracker)
• White Frosting
• M and M candies in red, green and yellow

OTHER MATERIALS

• Small paper plate
• Plastic spoon or knife
• Small paper cup or dish for frosting if a group of children are doing this activity
• Paper Towels

STEPS

1. Carefully remove cracker from package and leave intact, do not break.
2. For younger children adult should put a tablespoon of frosting on the cracker. Using the back of spoon or knife spread frosting.
3. Place m and m's in a dish and have each child select a red, yellow, and green and place on paper towel. Have them arrange the order on the paper towel before placing on the graham cracker with frosting.
4. Use directional words like top, middle and bottom and of course color words.

TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS

• Read a book on safety or find a picture of a stoplight prior to this toddler activity to introduce what a stoplight looks light and what it is for.
• Color a picture by using a recycled piece of paper. Draw a rectangle then three circles inside. As the child colors each circle talk about what you would do at each color if you were walking.