Preparing for Winter: Music and Food
LESSON 5
Children develop an understanding of how music and food can add warmth and joy to their homes during the winter months, using a story as inspiration to create a playlist and start a family recipe book.
The book “Wild Child,” by Lynn Pourde
A blank cookbook or recipe box and recipe cards or digital place to store recipes (like Pinterest).
Digital device to create a playlist.
Ingredients to prepare a family recipe.
Materials
Gather materials
Preparations
Foster discussion among children about animal winter preparations to assess their grasp of the previous lesson.
Introduce and read the story in an engaging manner, ensuring children can connect with the characters and storyline.
Inspire an understanding of how music and food contribute to happiness and warmth at home during winter.
Promote active participation by encouraging children to work on crafting a winter playlist.
Highlight the importance of food, particularly in winter, and work together to start a family recipe book to develop cooking skills and family traditions.
Objectives for Teachers
Children recall and share their understanding of how animals prepare for winter.
Children examine and discuss the drawings they created in connection with the previous lesson.
Children actively engage in listening to a story about Mother Earth and her child.
Children connect the story to real-life by understanding the importance of music in lifting spirits during winter.
Children work with their caregivers to begin creating a winter playlist.
Children grasp the significance of food in nurturing both physical and emotional well-being.
Objectives for Children
Collect and Connect
Practice saying the poem with the actions you came up with.
November comes and November goes
November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.
With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.
The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring.
- Elizabeth Coatsworth
Activity Flow
Begin this lesson by discussing what animals do to get ready for winter. Ask your child to share what they remember from the previous lesson. Look at the drawings you both made and talk about them. Then tell your child that you have a really fun story today about Mother Earth. She is trying to put her child to bed but there are some things the child needs before going to bed. Because the mother in this story is Earth, let's see if we can figure out who the child is and what they need before going to bed.
After reading the story, talk about who the child was and what the child needed before going to bed. Make a list from the story: first, a song; then, a snack; next, pajamas; and finally, a kiss. We will use this list to help us get ready for winter. Just like animals prepare for winter by collecting food and making their homes cozy, there are things people do to prepare for winter as well. Today, we'll focus on music and food.
3. Music: The first thing the child wanted in the story was a song. Ask your child if they like songs before bed, or listening to music. Share in your own words that music has the ability to lift our spirits because it can tap into our emotions and evoke feelings of happiness, nostalgia, or excitement. When we listen to our favorite songs, it can instantly boost our mood and provide a sense of comfort. The melodies and rhythms of music also have a way of creating a warm and joyful atmosphere, making it the perfect companion during the colder months, when we often seek coziness and cheer.
Work together with your child to begin creating a winter playlist for you to enjoy listening to during the colder months. The term "begin" is used here intentionally, as this playlist is meant to be a work in progress, with the option to keep adding new tracks throughout the winter season.
4. Food: The next thing the child wanted was a snack. Ask your child if they enjoy a snack before bed? Then share in your own words that food has the power to lift our spirits and add warmth and joy into our lives. Beyond satisfying our physical hunger, it nourishes our emotional well-being. The flavors, smells, and textures of our favorite foods can evoke happy memories, creating a sense of comfort. Sharing a meal with loved ones fosters connection and strengthens relationships, adding a sense of togetherness and joy to our lives. Whether it's a soup on a cold day or a favorite dessert, food is not just sustenance; it's a source of joy and contentment that can brighten our spirits and warm our heart, especially during the winter months.
Work with your child to start a family recipe book. Include recipes that you think will be useful this winter, whether they're cherished childhood favorites or new dishes you've been eager to try. Creating a recipe book with a child can be a valuable experience. It not only fosters bonding and quality time but also teaches essential life skills, such as cooking and organization. It preserves family traditions and allows for the sharing of recipes across generations.
5. Once you've made your playlist and started your recipe book, enjoy your work by listening to music and cooking something delicious together. You can do this later in the day or on another day if you like. Remember to use your recipe book and playlist to make your home happier and cozier during the winter.
