Make the summer sensational!

The summer term can be an emotional time when older children leave toddler groups to go to nursery or ‘big school’, ending a section of their lives that you may have become a regular part of for up to 4 years. It is so nice to be able to celebrate with those leaving your toddler group by having an end of term party, graduation celebration or marking the occasion in a special way.

A party or celebration is a great way to show that you are grateful for the children in your group and shows your support of those that may be leaving. It can really highlight to parents how much you value their time with you. You could use the last day of term to celebrate with a party, ending your term on a positive and fun note.

Perhaps you could decorate your venue with bunting, balloons and bright tablecloths. Parents and carers could provide small plates of party food to help keep the cost down. Perhaps your final craft could be decorating hats the children can wear during your session. These can be as simple or as elaborate as you dare. During your song or story time you could play some simple games for toddlers. ‘Pass the parcel’, ‘musicals bumps’, ‘sleeping lions’, ‘what’s the time Mr Wolf?’ and ‘follow the leader’ are all easy games to play. You could borrow a bubble machine and let the children catch the bubbles as you play some music.

Make sure you take the time to acknowledge those children who are moving on. Iniviting the children who will be leaving your group to all to stand up whilst everyone gives them a big clap, will make them feel very special and important. Parents will really appreciate you celebrating with them.

You may like to provide the families with a keepsake, to remember their time with you. This needn’t be expensive, even a certificate rolled and tied with ribbon would delight most toddlers. We have included a popular poem that you could print off onto card, make sure you leave space on the page for a child’s handprints. If you have access to a laminator, perhaps you could laminate the card to help it last even longer.

There used to be so many
Of my finger prints to see
On furniture and walls and things
From sticky, grubby me

But if you stop and think awhile
You’ll see I’m growing fast
Those little hand prints disappear
You can’t bring back the past

So here’s a small reminder
To keep, not wipe away
Of tiny hands and how they looked
To make you smile someday

If you have a larger budget you could purchase plain cotton shopping bags and decorate these with the child’s name and handprints. The arts and craft company Baker Ross have a range of bags varying in prices.

Some parents may be dreading the long summer holidays so why not have a look at our Smalltalk archive. Issue 11 “Holidays at home” and Issue 4 “I’m so bored what can I do?” has lots of ideas for entertaining children during the summer holidays. Parents always welcome ideas of things that will entertain their children without costing at lot, perhaps you could put together your own handout of things to do and places to visit in your local area.

Last Updated 19 May 2011