Christmas Spongy Shapes (Cradle roll-Pre-K)

Have your littlest students create Christmas decorations with this fun project.  You'll need sponge cutouts of a Christmas tree, star, manger, Baby Jesus, Wise Men, and shepherds. You'll also need, red, yellow, and green tempera paint; construction paper; aluminum pie plates; paint smocks for the children; and a work surface.

Pour the different colors of paint into several pie tins so children have an easy access. Give each child a sheet of construction paper.

Assist children as they dip the sponge shapes into the paint and onto their construction paper. At the bottom of their papers, print "Jesus was born --  Matthew 2:1."

While they work or after they're finished, sing this song to the tune of "If You're Happy and Your Know It":

If you love the Baby Jesus, clap your hands!

If you love the Baby Jesus, clap your hands!

If you love the Baby Jesus, if you love the Baby Jesus,

If you love the Baby Jesus, clap your hands!

He was born on Christmas Day, the Son of God!

He was born on Christmas Day, the Son of God!

He was born on Christmas Day, He was born on Christmas Day

He was born on Christmas Day, the Son of God!

Hi-soos ma-noo-guh guh si-renk, ay-yoh!

Hi-soos ma-noo-guh guh si-renk, ay-yoh!

Hi-soos ma-noo-guh guh si-renk, Hi-soos ma-noo-guh guh si-renk,

Hi-soos ma-noo-guh guh si-renk, ay-yoh!

Dzu-nav Dzu-noon-ti Or, Vor-ti Asd-vadz,

Dzu-nav Dzu-noon-ti Or, Vor-ti Asd-vadz,

Dzu-nav Dzu-noon-ti Or,  dzu-nav Dzu-noon-ti Or,

Dzu-nav Dzu-noon-ti Or, Vor-ti Asd-vadz,