My Insides

(He placed and glued the organs himself--I love how his brain is exploding out of his skull...)

This is a good follow up to the lessons on the body here and here.

Songs: My Hands; Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes; I Wiggle; any songs about the brain, heart, etc.
Books: How Your Body Works: A Good Look Inside Your Insides by David Stewart
            How Your Body Works  by Rebecca Weber
            any of the books from the previous two lessons about the body
Craft: tracing of your child's body with major organs added
Outside: play games using brain, heart, lungs
Snack: things that are good for our bodies (fruit, veggies, grains)

Supplies needed:

• piece of paper large enough to trace your child's body
• scissors
• pieces of paper cut out into shapes of brain, heart, lungs, stomach 
• glue (make sure it's kid friendly!)

Begin by singing songs about your body.  Then trace your child and cut the body out.  Lay out the pieces of paper you've cut out for the organs.  Have your child pick one and see if he/she can figure out where it goes.  Give hints if necessary.  Once they've figured it out, have them glue it in place.  After each one, explain what they do and do an activity that corresponds.  For example:

• Brain--thinks, tells our bodies what to do.  Activity: puzzle
• Heart--pumps the blood.  Activity: feel your heartbeat, then jump up & down for 1 minute and feel again
• Lungs--breath in oxygen.  Activity: blow up a balloon, explain how lungs are like a balloon
• Stomach--digests food.  Activity: snack time!

Hang up the completed poster next to your body and skeleton posters.  Then head outside and play some games with your brain (I Spy) your heart (running, jumping, etc.) and your lungs (bubbles). End by reading some books about the body.

Additional ideas:

• find a kids' doctor kit.  Have them use the stethoscope to listen to your heart & lungs
• show how the bones in their skeletons protect these organs