Dogs

Dog preschool lesson plans, including arts and crafts, games, math, science, group time activities, songs, and snack ideas.

Arts and crafts

Torn Paper Dogs

Supply the children with a full sheet of white paper and half sheet of brown paper. Ask them to make a dog by tearing pieces of the brown paper and gluing them onto the white paper. Small amounts of other colored paper may be used.

Dog Ear Headbands

Have the children cut out two strips of paper that when connected will fit around their head. Connect the strips with glue or tape, (staples will catch the child’s hair). Supply the children with brown paper for ears and have them cut the paper however they want to and tape them on the outside of the headband. Ask the children what they would like you to write on their headband.. ie Doggie Fred, Puppy Sarah.

Sticker Art

Supply the children with stickers of dogs and have them place them on a piece of white paper.

Stamp Art

Supply the children with stamps of dogs and have them make a picture on white paper.

Paint like a Dog

Supply the children with paper and paint and have the children paint like a dog might paint. You may want to have them put a pair of clean socks on their hands to help them imagine not having fingers to use.

Sponge Art

Supply the children with sponges of dogs and paint and have them dip the sponge in paint and press onto white paper.

Dog Collages

Have the children cut out pictures of dogs from magazines, and glue them onto a piece of paper for a collage.

Paper Plate Dog Mask

Have the children paint a paper plate brown. When dry have the children add facial and ears made from construction paper. Cut out holes for the eyes and add a Popsicle stick to the back of the plate near the bottom with glue.

Dog Place Mat

Have the children cut out pictures of dogs from magazines. Have the children glue the pictures onto a piece of paper. Laminate the paper and use for a place mat.

Dog or Bone Rubbings

Cut dog shapes from paper doilies or sandpaper. Tape these shapes to the table. Have the children place a piece of thin white paper over the shapes and rub a crayon over the shape.

Cookie Cutter Painting

Put a small amount of tempera paint in a large shallow container. (A pie tin works well) Show your child how to dip the dog shaped cookie cutter in the paint and press onto a piece of paper to create a print.

Clifford the Big Red Dog

Cut white paper in the shape of a dog, have your children paint it red.

Dog Bone Prints

Supply the children with dog bones. Have the children dip the bones into paint and press them onto paper.

Games, Math, and Science

Dog or Bone Shape Match Up

There are many ways to set this up depending on the skill level or the particular skill you wish to work on. Try these different setups:

Cut out dog or bone shapes from different colors of paper. Give each child one dog or bone Shape. Ask the children to find one person with the same color dog or bone shape.

Cut out dog or bone shapes from different colors of paper. Cut the dog or bone shapes in half using a puzzle type cut, like zig zag or interlocking pieces. Give each child one half of a dog or bone Shape, and ask them to find the person with the other half. Or Give the children two pieces and have the children make a circle, with one child that has one match on one side and the other match on the other side. You may end up with 2 or more circles depending on how the dog or bone shape pieces are distributed.

Cut out dog or bone shapes from one color of paper. Cut the dog or bone shapes in half using a puzzle type cut, like zig zag or interlocking pieces. Give each child one half of a dog or bone shape, and ask them to find the person with the other half. Or Give the children two pieces and have the children make a circle, with one child that has one match on one side and the other match on the other side. You may end up with 2 or more circles depending on how the dog or bone shape pieces are distributed.

Cut the dog or bone shapes from one color of paper. Label one set of dog or bone shapes with numbers, i.e. if you have 20 children, label the dog or bone Shapes with the numbers one to ten. The other half, draw one dot on one, two on another, and so on until ten. Give each child one dog or bone shape and have them find the child with their match.

Cut the dog or bone shapes from one color of paper. Place matching stickers on two dog or bone shapes. Give each child one dog or bone shape and have them find the child with their match.

Cut the dog or bone shapes from one color of paper. Cut the dog or bone shapes in half using a puzzle type cut, like zig zag or interlocking pieces. Place matching stickers on each half of a dog or bone shape. Give each child one dog or bone shape half and have them find the child with their match.

Place matching dog or bone stickers on separate index cards. Give each child a card and ask them to find the child with their match.

Try all the above, but in a file folder format. Glue one part of the dog or bone shape to the file folder and laminate its match.

Cut four or five different dog or bone Shapes from different colors of paper. Give each child one dog or bone Shape and have them form groups depending on what color or what animal they have.

Bean Bag Toss

Have your child toss dog-shaped bean bags into a box or a laundry basket. You can use masking tape to mark where the child should stand.

Vote and Graph it

Have the children vote for their favorite kind of dog and graph the results. Showing pictures of various breeds may help. Which kind of dog did most children like the best?

Dog or Bone Shape Hop

Cut out large dog or bone shapes from colored paper. Laminate them and cut them out. Place them on the floor and ask the children to hop from one shape to another. These may also be used at seat markers for group time.

Dog or Bone Hide and Seek

Have all the children hide their eyes while you “hide” a dog or bone in the room. (It should be placed in plain view) Tell the children to find the dog or bone, but not touch it. Once they spot it they should sit back down in their spot. The first one to sit down again will get to hide the dog or bone.

Dog or Bone Hide and Seek 2

Play the game the same as above, except hide the dog or bone. Then tell the children individually whether they are “hot” or “cold” to the relation of the dog or bone. Allow the other children to have a chance to hide the dog or bone, and tell children whether they are “hot or cold”. It may be a good idea to discuss the meaning of hot and cold before you play this game.

Dog or Bone Shape Fishing Game

Tie 3 feet of string to a wooden spoon. Attach a magnet to the end of the string. Cut and laminate many different colored dog or bone shapes from construction paper (not too big though). Attach a paper clip to each dog or bone shape. Spread the dog or bone shapes on the floor and let your child try to catch the dog or bone shape. Have them try to catch biggest shape, or the brown one. For a twist, label the dog or bone shapes with letters or numbers.

Dog or Bone Games Note

The following games require you to cut out many different dog or bone shapes from construction paper. You may choose to laminate these dog or bone shapes so they last longer.

Dog or Bone Sizing

Cut out many different sized dog or bone. Ask the children to line up the dog or bone from largest to smallest.

Dog or Bone Numbers

Cut out ten shapes. Number them one to ten. Ask the children to line up the shapes from one to ten.

Dog or Bone Colors

Ask the children to sort the shapes by color.

Dog or Bone Sort

Supply the children with plenty of dog or bone shapes of many sizes and colors. Ask the children to sort the shapes by size, color or type.

Ideas for Plastic Dog Figures

Have the children sort the animals by size.

Have the children sort the animals by the kind they like the best to least.

Buy two or more sets and have the children sort the animals by type.

Supply the children with a balance and let them experiment.

Have the children count the animals.

Supply the children with cards with numbers on them. Large playing cards work well. Have the children place the appropriate number of animals on each card. Ie 4 animals on the card that has a 4 (or 4 of diamonds) on it.

Put snow in your sand and water table (or clean dishpan) and let the children play with the animals.

Put the dog or in the block area.

Supply the children with paint and white paper, and give them a figure of a dog. Have them dip the animals’ feet in the paint them press on the paper to make dog tracks.

Lacing Cards

Cut colored posterboard into dog or bone shapes and punch holes around the edges. Then let your child lace yarn or a shoestring into the cards.

Stamping Patterns

Use dog or bone rubber stamps to create a simple pattern on the top half of a piece of paper. Ask your child to help you recreate the pattern on the bottom half of the paper. Tip: Start with one stamp, and have your child pick which stamp you used. Start slowly and work your way up to more complicated patterns.

Songs and Group Time

Doggie Song

Doggie, Doggie,
Turn around.
Doggie, Doggie,
Touch the ground.
Doggie, Doggie,
Shine your shoes.
Doggie, Doggie, Skidoo.
Doggie, Doggie,
Go upstairs.
Doggie, Doggie,
Say your prayers.
Doggie, Doggie,
Turn out the light.
Doggie, Doggie,
Say good night.

The Dog Went Over the Mountain

Sung to “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow”
The dog went over the mountain,
The dog went over the mountain,
The dog went over the mountain,
To see what he could see

To see what he could see,
To see what he could see

The other side of the mountain,
The other side of the mountain,
The other side of the mountain,
Was all that he could see

Was all that he could see,
Was all that he could see,
The other side of the mountain,
Was all that he could see!

The Dog Song

Sung to “The more we get together”
If I could be an doggie
an doggie, an doggie
If I could be an doggie, What kind would I be?
a Collie, a Shephard, a Poodle, a Dalmation
If I could be an doggie, I would be quite (child fills in the color)

Love Song

Love my doggie,
Yes I do,
Love my doggie,
Yes I do,
Love my doggie,
Yes I do,
Love my doggie,
And she loves you!

Special Song

sung to “Where is Thumbkin?”
My dog is special,
My dog is special,
Yes he is,
Yes he is,
My dog is special,
My dog is special,
Yes he is,
Yes he is.

Bingo

There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
B-I-N-G-O!
B-I-N-G-O!
B-I-N-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-o!

There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(Clap)-I-N-G-O!
(Clap)-I-N-G-O!
(Clap)-I-N-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-o!

There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(Clap, clap)-N-G-O!
(Clap, clap)-N-G-O!
(Clap, clap)-N-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-o!

There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(Clap, clap, clap)-G-O!
(Clap, clap, clap)-G-O!
(Clap, clap, clap)-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-o!

There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(Clap, clap, clap, clap)-O!
(Clap, clap, clap, clap)-O!
(Clap, clap, clap, clap)-O!
And Bingo was his name-o!

There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)
(Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)
(Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)
And Bingo was his name-o!

This Old Man

This old man, he played one,
He played knick-knack on my thumb;
Knick-knack paddywhack,
Give a dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played two,
He played knick-knack on my shoe;
Knick-knack paddywhack,
Give a dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played three,
He played knick-knack on my knee;
Knick-knack paddywhack,
Give a dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played four,
He played knick-knack on my door;
Knick-knack paddywhack,
Give a dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played five,
He played knick-knack on my hive;
Knick-knack paddywhack,
Give a dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played six,
He played knick-knack on my sticks;
Knick-knack paddywhack,
Give a dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played seven,
He played knick-knack up in Heaven;
Knick-knack paddywhack,
Give a dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played eight,
He played knick-knack on my gate;
Knick-knack paddywhack,
Give a dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played nine,
He played knick-knack on my spine;
Knick-knack paddywhack,
Give a dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played ten,
He played knick-knack once again;
Knick-knack paddywhack,
Give a dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

What time is it Mr Dog?

Played like What time is it Mr. Fox?

Talk about Dog Care

Talk about what a dog eats, going to the Vet for shots, grooming, and the things an owner needs to do keep the dog healthy.

Field Trip Ideas

Visit a Pet Store or a Veterinarian’s Office
Have a parent bring in a dog
Have a Veterinarian visit your center
Have A Humane Society Member visit your center
Have a parent read a story about a dog.

Doggie Says

Played like Simon Says.

Doggie May I

The old game, “Mother, May I?” but with “Doggie, May I?” instead.

Dog Duck, Duck, GOOSE!

Substitute “cat, cat, dog” for “duck, duck, goose.”

Dog Bone Jar

For older children. Fill a small jar with dog bones. Ask each child to guess how many dog bones are in the jar. For younger children, limit the number of dog bones to less than ten. Record each child’s guess. Count the dog bones.

Dog Bone Jar for School-Age Children

Provide three identical jars with pre-counted dog bones of 20, 30, and 40. Label these jars 20, 30, and 40. Place 20 to 40 dog bones in a fourth identical jar. Allow the children to examine all four jars before they guess. Record the children’s approximations. Count the dog bones.

Musical Dogs

Cut out dog or bone shapes from colored paper. Laminate them and cut them out. Place them on the floor. It is best for younger children to have more shapes than children. Play music and have the children walk around the room. When the music stops, each child needs to find a shape to stand on.

Doggie, Doggie, Where’s Your Bone?

Children sit in a circle. The teacher chooses one child to be the doggie, that child sits in the middle of the circle and hides their eyes. Then the teacher gives a toy to one child. The child hides the toy behind their back, while the other children pretend to have the toy, by holding their hands behind their backs. The children then chant:

Doggie, Doggie, Where’s Your Bone?
Somebody took it from your home
Upstairs, Downstairs, by the telephone
Wake up Doggie, Find your bone.

The child in the middle now can uncover their eyes. The child guesses which child they think had the toy (bone) by pointing at the child. The child shows his/her hands. The child in the middle gets up to three guesses. Regardless of whether the child in the middle was successful, the child who was hiding the toy, now sits in the middle.

Doggie Bean Bag Toss

Draw a dog shape on a piece of cardboard. Cut out the mouth. Have the children toss bean bags into the dog’s mouth.

Dog and Bone Match

Cut out a variety of dog and bone shapes from different colors of paper. Have the children match the same color dog with the same color bone.

How Many Dogs Do You Have? Graph

Ask the children how many dogs they have and graph the results. A variation may be how many pets do you have? How many dogs would you like? What dog do you like best?

Different Kinds of Food

Place different kinds of pets foods into plastic bags. You can use dog food, cat food, bird food, guinea pig food, etc. Have the children guess which food was made for dogs.

Dramatic Play

Pretend to be a Veterinarian

Provide your children with stuffed dogs, play stethoscopes, and bandages for the children to play with.

Pretend to be a Pet Groomer

Provide your children with stuffed dogs, empty shampoo bottles, brushes, ribbons, collars, a plastic bathtub, and towels for the children to play with.

Pretend to be a Dog

Provide your children with dog toys, empty boxes of dog food, and boxes for the children to crawl into.

Snacks

Dog Bone Treats

Add white frosting to the tops of elongated oval cookies for a “dog bone treat”.