This Creation Day 1 Preschool Theme - Light is based on Genesis 1:1-5
"1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light.
4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
5 God called the light 'day', and the darkness he called 'night'.
And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day." (Genesis 1:1-5 NIV)
This page includes preschool lesson plans, activities and Interest Learning Center ideas for your Preschool Classroom!
You can either scroll down through this page to see all of the preschool activities for your theme or click the link below to go to a specific day of Creation.
Let the theme planning begin!
You'll find more themes to help you with your planning on my bible preschool themes page.
To read my Statement of Faith, click here.
Here are the links for activities for each specific DAY of Creation and the General Creation Theme Page!
Wet Chalk
Materials needed: Small and large (sidewalk chalk), black construction paper, cups of water
The children dip the chalk in water and draw on the black paper. It is pretty amazing to watch the brilliance of the chalk as it dries, and it dries quickly!
Show The Light
Materials needed: black and yellow construction paper scraps, glue sticks, white paper.
Have the children rip the black and yellow paper with their hands (no scissors, we are building up those hand muscles today!) and glue the black on one side of the white paper and the yellow on the other half.
Just Blocks
Most preschoolers LOVE having props and other things like cars, animals, etc. to use with the blocks in this interest center.
Today, have just one type of blocks. NO PROPS! On the first day, God created light....we can see the blocks! You could provide small flashlights for them to create shadows and tunnels with as well.
Circle Time is such a great time for children to learn the social skills of being together as a large group AND to learn more about your theme!
Bible Story
Read about Day 1 from your favorite children's Bible or your own Bible. Genesis 1:1-5
Your Own Words
Tell the account of Genesis 1:1-5 in your own words! Tell the children to close their eyes. Now tell them to cover their closed eyes with their hands.
That is how dark it was before God made light! Now, tell them to close their eyes, cover them and then shut off the light. Have them open their eyes and then turn the light on!
Open, Shut Them
Sing this version of the Open, Shut them song and do what the words say!
Open, shut them. Open, shut them (your eyes!).
Give a little clap!
Open, shut them. Open, shut them (your eyes!).
God made light when it was black!
Theme Prop Intro
Needed: Flashlight and an empty, plastic egg or container that you can not see through.
Turn the lights off in the room.
Pass around the egg or container and let each child shake it and guess what is in it.
Open the egg or container and show them.
Tell about the darkness and that there was nothing before God created it.
On the first day, God created LIGHT. Turn the flashlight on.
Read the Bible story about God creating light.
Turn the lights back on.
Cooking with children helps develop their math skills and helps them to learn how to follow directions. It also allows for some great conversation! Ask many questions while cooking with your children to encourage conversation! Be sure to ask specific themed questions while making these fun snacks!
Light and Dark Crackers
Materials needed: Graham crackers, softened cream cheese, grape jelly, spoons and plastic knives
The children spread jelly on one cracker and cream cheese on the other: Darkness and then light!
Refrigerator Box Creation--Day by Day
You will need a large box. One large enough for a few children to fit in. Think washing machine or refrigerator box!
The children will add to the box each day during your Creation Theme.
Today, place battery operated lanterns and/or flashlights in the box.
Provide the children a box of crayons to decorate the inside and outside of the box.
More Than Just Painting (Although that is always THE favorite in our classroom!)
Light Easel
Have you ever used one? I LOVE the idea! If you don't have one, make one! You will use it all year!
A light easel is one where the part you typically place the paper on is plexiglass! You place a lamp or light on the floor on the opposite side from where the children stand.
The children paint right on the easel!
that help build their muscles while they have fun together
Freeze Dance with Light
Play different tempos of music.
The children dance and move.
Turn off the lights and they must freeze!
VARIATION: Turn a flashlight on and keep the lights on if your room gets too dark.
The children dance with the music on. They must keep watch on your flashlight!
When you turn off the flashlight, they freeze!
Book Suggestions for the Library
(I LOVE Amazon, and some of the links below will take you to the Amazon website. If you do choose to purchase yours through Amazon, they do send me a few cents--which supports my coffee habit! )
Measuring Shadows
Provide a shoe box, small toys from around the classroom, a flash light and something to measure with.
Remember that children don't quite "get" rulers yet, though you could have them available! I'd recommend rulers AND either snap cubes or plastic links to measure with!
The children flash the light at the object in the box and then measure the shadow it makes!
Shiny Jewels
Materials needed: colorful glass beads, flashlight, clear cups or clear bowls.
The children sort by size, shape and color and use the light to check them out!
to get your Preschoolers Movin' and Groovin'!
God Created
There is a great song my daughter's Sunday school teacher sang during the Creation Theme.
It is sung to the tune of Frere Jacques
We will add additional verses each day!
Today, sing:
God created! God created!
Night and day, night and day.
That was on the first day.
That was on the first day.
And it was good. It was good.
Discovery Bottles
Materials: small, clear water bottles, water and your imagination!
Put water (clear or colored) in a bottle. Add items that will shine/sparkle when the light reflects on them.
Some ideas: colored, translucent bingo marker chips; glitter; metallic craft pieces; glass jewels, ribbon
Water Beads
These are great! AND, if you place a light under the table and the bin is clear, it will look awesome with the light shining through it!
Light and Color
Materials Needed: shallow tray, milk, food coloring
Drop one drop of color into the milk that is in the tray.
The color will come to the top and swirl!
Continue with other colors!
Colorful Yarn Letters
Place contact paper on the table, sticky side up.
Provide cut pieces of yarn for the children to make letters on the contact paper.
EXTENSION: Have the children cut the yarn themselves!
I KNOW, I know, you spend hours of time developing your preschool themes, activities and preschool lesson plans each week. You are commited to planning preschool themes and activities that are engaging hands-on, interactive, fun AND meet the goal of supporting each child’s level of growth and development.
I am commited to providing you, the preschool teacher, with everything you need to develop preschool lesson plans and preschool activities for your classroom all in one place!
You’ll receive a weekly email with planning tips and teaching ideas.
You'll also receive (on the 1st of each month) a free theme starter pack with some printables and activity ideas to get you started planning a theme!
© Copyright 2010-2024 Preschool-Plan-It.com | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy & Disclaimer