Helau, Alaaf, Narri Narro: Foolish goings-on in the kindergarten!
Carnival, Shrovetide, Carnival – whatever the so-called fifth season is called at home, one thing is clear: children love the foolish days!
No wonder, since dressing up is very popular with the little ones all year round. In kindergarten, princesses are regularly rescued by noble knights, blazing fires are extinguished by a host of firefighters, or sick cuddly toys are expertly treated.
But why do children like to slip into other roles so much?
Role play as an important part of child development
Around age 3, most children begin to experience everyday situations, stories, and adventures in a different role. They become policemen, animals or witches and re-enact things from their imagination, but also from their own experiences and observations. In this way, they process what they have experienced and come to terms with their own feelings, fears and needs.
From around this age, children can also visibly put themselves in the shoes of others. The change of perspective during role play makes a significant contribution to promoting empathy in a playful way and thus also to the development of empathy. Other social skills such as tolerance or the willingness to compromise are also trained. Thus, during joint role-playing, different wishes and views must be taken into account, agreements must be made and conflicts must be resolved.
Taking on different roles is not only a lot of fun for the little ones, it is also an important aspect of child development.
One more reason to let the fools loose in the kindergarten.
Even if major events such as parades have to be cancelled again this year in many places due to the pandemic, children should at least be able to experience this time in kindergarten without any worries. That’s why we’d like to give you a few ideas that are guaranteed to create a great carnival atmosphere in your daycare center.
Doughnuts, doughnuts, pancakes!
Their name divides the nation, but one thing is certain: the sweet fat pastry filled with jam is simply part of the foolish season.
In smaller groups, the dough of yeast, flour, milk, butter, eggs and sugar can be wonderfully prepared together. While one child separates the eggs, the other sifts the flour into the bowl. Even the smallest children can actively help with the subsequent shaping of the small balls. Excitement is then provided by the subsequent resting of the dough. Here, the children watch with interest as the balls grow larger and larger.
For safety reasons, you should take care of the baking. During the final filling and decorating, the children can then really let off steam.
Make foolish decorations!
While some of the children are busy baking, the rest of the group can take care of the table decorations. The more colorful, the better! Because things can get a little crazy during the foolish days.
Scatter decoration is made quickly and all children like. Using scissors or a punch, you can easily create different shapes and motifs from clay paper, foam rubber or transparent paper, which the children can then spread out on the dining table.
Colorful garlands also provide the appropriate festive mood. You can make these together with the children before the carnival days and attach them later to ceilings and walls.
The only thing missing is the matching fairing!
Depending on how it fits best for your institution, the children come to kindergarten already dressed up or you all dress up together there. At the same time, the children should be given as much freedom as possible in the choice of costume.
If you then grab brushes and children’s make-up, you will look into bright eyes and happy faces at the latest now! Because children love imaginative face painting.
There are no limits to your creativity. Whether cheerful clown, fierce pirate or dangerous feline predator – with the right children’s makeup, every disguise becomes an absolute highlight!
Our tip: Set up a mirror so that the children can admire the artwork directly.
Now you have everything it takes for the foolish goings-on in kindergarten! We wish you lots of fun and a good appetite.
