by Olivia Companion, CDP, CMDCP – Purple Hydrangea Dementia Care Consultation & Support

Creative Reads Kits are exclusive book and activity kits from S&S Worldwide. They currently have 8 kit options, and one of them is my favorite childhood book by Eileen Christelow called 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. I remember having this book when I was a kid, so when I was looking through the 8 kits that are available, this is the one I was excited to try!
This beloved favorite nursery rhyme and storybook has been used to develop children’s speech and language skills for generations. The predictable rhyming language of the text encourages children to chime in and read along. Little ones will love giggling along with those silly monkeys.
With Creative Reads, you can provide a themed, hands-on experience to complement story time and introduce students to project-based learning. Each kit comes with an award-winning book and a standards-aligned lesson plan that ensures success in this nature-inspired project-based learning program.
The Kit: Creative Reads™ Book & Activity Kit For 24 Students – Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
Kit Includes:

1 Hardcover book “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed”
24 Color Me™ ready-to-decorate pre-stuffed 10″ monkeys
24 Ready-to-decorate journals
24 Pencils
24 Fabric markers
Standards-aligned lesson plan (includes tips and ideas)

Purpose: Children will listen to read-aloud story and show creativity and individuality by creating pajamas on their monkeys.
Grade Level: Designed for Pre-K through 3rd Grade
Time: Activity should take approximately 30-45 min. Project length can be adjusted based on grade and ability.
Visual Art Standards:

Skills & Techniques
Creation & Communication

Vocabulary: 

Bedtime, pajamas, little, monkeys, doctor

Featured Video:

Activity Instructions:
Part 1: Introduce and read children’s book Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow.
Part 2: Go back and observe the pajamas the monkeys are wearing.
Part 3: Distribute the journals, fabric monkeys and fabric markers. Encourage students to come up with ideas for their pajamas by drawing in their journals. Have children apply their plans to the fabric monkeys. Help them to focus on the process of creating their art, not the final product, by positively commenting on the techniques they use and artistic choices they make.

Part 4: Re-tell the story together using the decorated monkeys.
Thoughtfully selecting and introducing more open-minded instruction allows for endless possibilities. Each child receives a journal & pencil to further encourage extended exploration.
Extension Activities:
If you have additional time, pair up children to make their own story with their decorated monkeys or have students perform the song with their decorated monkeys.
Tips:

Fabric markers will NOT wash off clothes
Wait to distribute materials until after the book is read.
Help children write their name on the monkey.
Make sure monkeys have a face.
Children’s coloring, drawing, and writing abilities will vary, and some may need additional support.

Benefits of Drawing and Painting in Early Childhood
Taking part in art focused activities has many benefits for young children. Drawing and painting strengthen fine and gross motor skills (small and large muscles) in fingers, hands, arms, and shoulders. Encouraging children to focus on the process vs the final product uplifts the importance and growth of creativity. A child’s drawing or painting provides clues to their cognitive development as they use many senses to practice deep thinking. Once a child moves beyond scribbling, they begin to practice their planning skills to decide what they’d like to put on the paper in front of them. Children are also able to practice eye-hand coordination, develop their visual perception, and have a healthy space to release emotions.
Below are some questions/prompts to support deeper learning with children:
1. Who were the main characters in this story?
2. Where or when did this story take place? (setting)
3. What were the main events, or the most important things, that happened in this story?
4. Did this story have a problem? What was the problem? How was the problem solved? (problem and solution)
5. Encourage children to create their own short story. The story should contain at least one main character, a specific setting, main events, and for added complexity, a problem to be solved.

Learn more about our 8 Creative Reads™ Book & Activity Kit options in the blog below!
Creative Reads – Book and Craft Activity Kits for 24 Students