The Snowy Nap

LESSON 1

Children explore hibernation and how animals keep warm in winter through a story, followed by crafting salt dough hedgehogs for the next lesson.

Ingredients for cinnamon salt dough:

  • 1 cup Flour

  • 1/2 cup Salt

  • 2 tsp ground ginger

  • ⅓ cup ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves

  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

  • 1 tsp of cream of tartar (optional)

  • 1/4 – 1/2 cup Water (more if needed)

Materials

  • Preheat your oven to 200-250°F and gather materials for cinnamon salt dough.

Preparations

  • Create an engaging introduction to "The Snowy Nap" to capture the child's interest and curiosity.

  • Encourage critical thinking through follow-up questions about hibernation and winter survival.

  • Guide the child in making cinnamon salt dough hedgehogs, emphasizing fine motor skill development.

  • Support and celebrate the child's creativity as they shape and personalize their hedgehog.

Objectives for Teachers

  • Children engage with a captivating story, fostering a love for literature.

  • Children reflect on the hedgehog's need for a 'snowy nap' and discuss the concept of hibernation.

  • Children practice fine motor skills by shaping and crafting a cinnamon salt dough hedgehog.

  • Children are introduced to the basic concepts of animal behavior and adaptation, fostering a sense of curiosity.

Objectives for Children

Collect and Connect

  • Create actions and practice saying the poem together.

Winter Animals

Winter is cold,

There is snow in the sky.

The squirrels gather nuts,

And the wild geese fly.

The fluffy red fox,

Has his fur to keep warm.

The bear’s in her cave,

Sleeping all through the storm.

Activity Flow

  1. Begin by finding a cozy place to read the story, “The Snowy Nap,” by Jan Brett. Introduce the story, tell your child this story is about Hedgie, the little hedgehog, who's all set for a long snowy nap. But just before he snoozes, he takes one last walk around the farm. As he is walking, he comes across farm animals, and they are quick to tell him about the wonderful winter things he'll miss if he sleeps. This makes Hedgie feel sad, he doesn’t want to miss out on the winter fun, so he decides to stay awake. What do you think will happen? Read the story together to find out if Hedgie will be able to stay awake and see winter.

  2. After the story, engage in a discussion about what happened. Here are some questions you might ask:

  • Do you think the animals were kind? Why or why not?

  • How did the animals make the Hedgie feel?

  • Was the Hedgie able to stay awake and see all the special wintry things?

  • What happened to the Hedgie at the end of the story?

  • Do you know what it means to hibernate?

  • Why do you think hedgehogs hibernate during the winter?

  • Can you name other animals that might take snowy naps?

  • What is keeping Hedgie warm in his burrow while he sleeps?

3. After the story and discussion, assist the child in making cinnamon salt dough hedgehogs. 

Cinnamon Salt Dough Hedgehog:

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the salt, flour, and spices. Mix the dry ingredients together.

  2. Gradually add warm water to the dry mixture, stirring continuously. Add water until the dough reaches a smooth and pliable consistency.

  3. Shape the dough into a hedgehog, using small scissors to create "spikes."

  4. Place the creations (I recommend making a few extra hedgehogs in case one breaks while being played with) on a baking sheet and bake until solid. We left ours in for a few hours and let them continue to harden over the next few days.

4. Encourage your child to play with their hedgehog, give it a name, and take special care of it until the next lesson. It might also be fun to encourage your child to retell the story using the little hedgehog and other animal figurines you might have.