Inside: Add these bee theme circle time props to your bug theme this spring. Toddlers and preschoolers can hold their bee sticks while singing bee songs!
If you are adding bees to your bug theme, you will love these printable props.
Make enough so that each child has a bee to hold during circle time.
I’ve created these props for children to hold while listening to favorite bee books.
They are also perfect to use with bee songs during music and movement!
Scroll down towards the bottom of this post to find the link to the free download.
I’ve been having so much fun adding props to our circle times!
While I’ve been using puppets and flannel board sets for years, stick puppets are something I started last fall when I was virtual teaching.
I was struggling to find a way to connect with my toddlers and young preschoolers through a screen, so I came up with the idea to create a themed printable that could be turned into something they could hold.
It was such a success that I decided to continue creating stick puppets when we returned to the classroom.
CLICK HERE to find my entire year’s worth of free circle time props!
Why props?
I was that new teacher that struggled with circle time.
I could not get their attention while reading books!
They’d wiggle, they’d talk, they’d get up and walk away.
It took me a few years to realize that visuals were extremely helpful at keeping my students’ engaged.
Then, many years after that, I discovered that if the children actually had something to hold during our books and songs, even better!
CLICK HERE to see more of my successful circle time tips!
Printable Bee Circle Time Props
Start with Songs
For our bee theme I found some cute bee songs that I knew the children would love:
Bumblebee Buzz (Laurie Berkner)
Two Little Bees in a Beehive (Benny Time)
You can find these and more in our bugs and butterflies playlist:
In fact, it was these songs that inspired me to create the printable bee theme circle time props.
Putting Together Your Bee Props
What you will need:
- Popsicle sticks or Jumbo Craft Sticks
- Laminator
- Scotch tape
- Printable bee prop (scroll down to find the link)
I suggest either printing these on heavy paper or laminating them for extra durability.
Make enough copies so that you have one bee stick for each student and yourself.
Preparation:
Cut out the desired amount of bees and gather your popsicle or jumbo craft sticks. After cutting them out, tape them to the top of a popsicle stick.
I keep all of my props in jars on our circle time shelf.
Our children get so excited to see what props we will have that day!
From the first day of school I tell them that they need to be sitting quietly and then I will hand them the prop.
We talk about keeping our props to ourselves – not tapping friends with them.
We also talk about not putting props in our mouths – something that is more common with our 2 year olds.
If the children are having a hard time handling our props with care, we stop and I collect them, explaining that we will try again another day.
Fortunately this usually only has to happen once and the children remember to hold them carefully the next time.
Click below to get your free pdf download:
More Bee and Bug Ideas
Bee Themed Activities for Preschoolers
Bugs and Butterflies Activity Plans
I’m so excited to be one of the authors of these hands-on activities for toddlers and for preschoolers!
Easy to follow plans include activity modifications and adaptations to meet the needs of all learners.
Note: This is a digital product. Links to downloads will be sent to you after purchase!
For more information, click on the graphics below:
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