Animals and Their Homes: A One-Week Themed Learning Plan

Welcome to a brand-new week of themed learning! This week, we are exploring animals and their homes. Whether you are learning at home, in a classroom, or with a therapist, this plan brings cozy autumn animal habitats to life through fun, hands-on play. Remember that every child’s pace is different, and all plans should be adapted to each child’s own goals.

Goals for the week

Communication: Building animal vocabulary and practicing requesting items or turns.
Early literacy: Listening to animal stories and matching pictures to words.
Early math: Sorting animals by size or counting how many animals fit in a home.
Social-emotional: Exploring how animals rest and feel safe, supporting our own emotional regulation.
Fine and gross motor: Practicing tearing paper for nests, crawling like bears, and hopping like frogs.

Animals and Their Homes: A One-Week Themed Learning Plan — Photo by Nataliee Shell on Unsplash

Day-by-day plan

Monday

Main activity: Bird nests. Read a simple book about birds, then use yarn, twigs, and shredded paper to build a cozy nest. Quick extension: Hide a toy bird inside and practice asking ‘Where is the bird?’

Tuesday

Main activity: Bear caves. Build a blanket fort ‘cave’ in the living room and practice crawling inside. Quick extension: Practice taking turns going into the cave with a partner.

Wednesday

Main activity: Pond habitats. Fill a shallow tray with water and plastic frogs, and practice splashing gently and counting the frogs. Quick extension: Practice making animal sounds together.

Thursday

Main activity: Animal sorting. Print pictures of different animals and their homes, then draw lines to match them up. Quick extension: Sort the animal toys by big and small.

Friday

Main activity: Beehives. Paint yellow stripes on paper rolls to make a beehive and practice finger-tapping like buzzing bees. Quick extension: Practice deep breathing in and out like a resting bear.

Materials

Toy animals and plastic figures
Paper, yarn, twigs, and craft supplies
Blankets and cushions for building dens
Books about animals and their habitats

Tracking progress

Notice how your child communicates choices during play.
Note which textures and activities bring the most joy.
Observe how your child manages transitions between activities.

Every step forward is a celebration, no matter how small.

If you have questions about tailoring these activities or supporting your child’s learning journey, we are here to help. Reach out to book your free 20-minute call with our team today!

Cover image: photo by Michał Bożek on Unsplash

Fall Leaf Painting and Tearing Art Activity

Autumn is here in Ontario, and it is a wonderful time to explore the colours of the season while building important fine motor skills. In this activity, you and your child will create a textured fall leaf picture by tearing paper and painting, which helps strengthen little hand muscles needed for writing and everyday tasks.

What you need

Construction paper in red, orange, and yellow
Washable child-friendly paints
Paintbrushes or cotton swabs
A large piece of paper or cardboard for the background
Child-safe scissors
Glue stick

Fall Leaf Painting and Tearing Art Activity — Photo by Julietta Watson on Unsplash

How to do it

Sit together at a comfortable table with your materials ready within reach.
Talk about the colours of the leaves changing outside during October.
Show your child how to gently pinch and tear the colourful construction paper into smaller pieces.
Help your child use a glue stick to attach the torn paper pieces onto the background sheet.
Dip the paintbrushes or cotton swabs into the washable paint.
Add painted details, dots, or strokes around and over the paper pieces.
Set the artwork aside in a safe spot to dry completely.
Celebrate your child’s hard work with lots of specific praise for trying their best.

Make it easier or harder

Use visual supports like a picture schedule to show the steps of the activity one at a time.
Offer gentle hand-over-hand prompting if your child needs support holding the paintbrush or tearing the paper.
Provide larger paper pieces to make tearing easier, or pre-cut strips for beginners.
For an extra challenge, have your child use child-safe scissors to snip the paper instead of tearing.

Skills your child practises

Pinching and tearing paper to build hand strength
Using a paintbrush to develop hand-eye coordination
Following multi-step instructions together
Exploring textures and colours

Remember that every child works at their own pace, so keep the atmosphere light and fun!

If you would like more ideas tailored to your child, or have questions about OAP funding and our teaching packages, we invite you to book a free 20-minute call with our Toronto-based team at bloomaba.ca.

Cover image: photo by Stephen Andrews on Unsplash