| In the United States, Polar Bears have become | | | | glue when they are pasting on the circles as this will |
| synonymous with Coca-Cola advertisements. We | | | | become a mess! Demonstrate how to take black |
| watch cute polar bears have parties and fun while | | | | crayons and draw distinction in the polar bear face, |
| drinking Coca-Cola soda in the Arctic. Preschool | | | | paws, belly, and ears. Encourage the children to draw |
| children need to understand that there is much more to | | | | other items that are in a polar bear habitat such as ice, |
| polar bears and that they don't actually drink | | | | snow, and fish. Display the artwork in the classroom or |
| Coca-Cola! | | | | at home. |
| This article provides two preschool polar bear activities | | | | Learning More About Polar Bears Through Creating a |
| that will encourage preschool children to learn more | | | | Polar Bear Habitat. The second activity is to learn |
| about polar bears which include the facts and not the | | | | more about polar bears through creating a polar bear |
| creative advertisements of Madison Avenue. | | | | habitat. Preschoolers will find this a very exciting |
| Art Activity | | | | activity to participate in! Preschoolers love group |
| The first activity is an art activity that will have | | | | activities, and this activity will enhance their social skills. |
| preschool children create a polar bear picture of their | | | | Materials: |
| own. This activity is great for a rainy day or winter | | | | * A large refrigerator box. |
| activity when it is simply too cold to go outside. | | | | * A large sheet of white and blue art paper. |
| Preschoolers will develop their fine motor skills in | | | | * Scissors, |
| completing this activity. At the same time having a lot | | | | * Masking tape. |
| of fun exploring their creativity! | | | | * Cotton or White packing peanuts. |
| You will need the following: | | | | * You will also need the book, "Polar Bear Night" by |
| Materials: | | | | Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Stephen Savage. |
| * white and black construction paper, | | | | Advanced preparation for this activity includes cutting |
| * scissors, | | | | the large cardboard box along one of the long edges. |
| * glue, and | | | | This will allow you to flatten the cardboard box along |
| * colorful crayons. | | | | the wall. The cardboard box will act as a polar bear |
| Advanced preparation for this activity involves cutting | | | | house of snow and ice. (Polar bears create dens in |
| the white construction paper into several different size | | | | snowbanks.) |
| circles which will comprise the body of the polar bear. | | | | Begin the activity by reading the book, "Polar Bear |
| Cut the white construction paper into one large circle | | | | Night". Discuss the habitat of polar bears with the |
| for the body, one medium circle for the head, and two | | | | preschool children. Explain that polar bears have white |
| small circles for the paws. | | | | fur so they can protect themselves by blending in with |
| Cut a small circle in half to create two semicircles for | | | | the snow. In addition, polar bears have water resistant |
| the feet. Cut another small circle in half to create two | | | | fur that allows them to swim in the icy waters. |
| semicircles for the ears. | | | | Tell the children that you are going to make a polar |
| Begin this activity by asking the preschool children | | | | bear snow den. Have them help you tape the large |
| what they know about polar bears. Where do polar | | | | white art paper to the cardboard box. Place a large |
| bears live? What do they eat? Explain that they are | | | | piece of blue art paper on the floor near the polar bear |
| going to make polar bears of their own. Demonstrate | | | | snow den to represent water. Lastly, place cotton or |
| how to glue the white construction paper circles onto | | | | package peanuts around the snow den to represent |
| the black construction paper background to create a | | | | snow and ice. Allow the children to explore more |
| polar bear. | | | | about polar bears while sitting in the polar bear den. |
| Be sure to tell preschool children to not use too much | | | | |