Yum-Yum eat 'em up!

If your squirrles are anything like the ones around our town, it must be an indication of an early winter. The fluffy tails are manic in their movements, digging and darting all over the place. I have been dodging them as they dart in front of our car, shooing them away as they dig up our flowers.



Now here's a squirrel the kids are sure to love, one even a mom or dad won't mind having in the house. Invert an empty oatmeal container so lid is on bottom for easy removal of contents. Hot glue on faux fur or felt. Cut a wide mouth, add google eyes. This squirrel is a grandpa; he's been a round for quite a few years, but he has provided years of fun for preschoolers. Think of all of the concepts you could target: shapes, colors, letters, numbers, simple addition.

I sit with the child as they feed the squirrel, and I say "yum-yum-yum" as they drop the block in. When they least expect, I shake the squirrel and pretend it is gobbling the shape. I shout, "YUM-YUM", and the children squeal with delight/fright and say, "Do it again!" But they never know when ... This keeps them interested and I can work on a few shapes in one sitting.

Song: (do the actions)
Gray Squirrel, gray squirrel, swish your bushy tail.
Gray squirrel, gray squirrel, swish your bushy tail.
Put a nut between your toes, wrinkle up your little nose.
Gray squirrel, gray squirrel, swish your bushy tail.

Go outdoors and look for squirrels and sing this song to the squirrels.