The story of Noah is a childhood favorite.
Themes of kindness to animals, concern for others and obedience to authority appear in the biblical story of Noah and his ark. This story not only fascinates children, but also contains many profound lessons. University of British Columbia researcher Adele Diamond points out that teaching preschoolers age-appropriate games helps them focus and absorb subject matter. Play these games with your preschoolers and enjoy both the educational and entertainment values.
Raven, Raven, Dove
In this adaptation of "Duck, Duck, Goose," instruct one child to remain standing. Seat the rest of the children in a large circle. The first child becomes Noah and walks around the circle, gently tapping the head of each of his classmates and saying, "raven." He chooses one classmate to call "dove." The dove chases him around the circle. If the dove catches Noah before he makes it back to her seat, she brings him a paper olive branch. If Noah outruns the dove, she becomes Noah and the game begins again.
Giraffe of a Different Color
Place pictures of animals or toy animals in groups of five on the floor. Each group should consist of four animals of the same color and one animal that is different. For example, you can use four red animals and one yellow animal. Tell the kids to point out which animal is different from the rest of its group and let them explain what is different about it.
Noah's Hide and Seek
Help the kids decorate a cardboard box to look like an ark. Arrange toy animals on a table. Choose one kid to be Noah and let each of the rest of the kids take a toy animal. The kids with the animals hide and Noah finds them. When Noah finds a child, that child places his animal into the ark.
Find the Animals
Draw and cut out pairs of animals. Give each child half of one pair and hide the other half. The children pretend to be Noah. Each child tries to find the other half of his particular pair. Once the child finds his animal, he can place it in the ark.
Tags: around circle, becomes Noah, four animals, Noah finds, other half