Help your kindergarteners develop their confidence in speaking in front of others, as well as their listening skills, with a show-and-tell time. Each child can tell about the pajamas she is wearing. Encourage the children to tell about their slippers, special blankets and favorite bedtime stuffed animal. After each child speaks, ask questions to help develop comprehension in what they hear and see.
Put several items around the room that relate to pajama parties and also begin with or have the letter "P" in the word for each object. Instruct the children to find or point out one item that begins with the letter "P" and say the word. Use the same approach for objects with the letter inside the word. Some suggestions include pajamas, pillow, something pink, something purple, slippers, sleeping bag, popcorn and pretzels.
Sing some familiar songs that use counting forward or backward. "Ten on the Bed," and Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed," are two ideas. Change the words in "Ten Little Indians," to "Ten Pair of Slippers" or "Ten Sleepy Children." Do a hands-on activity to help the children make a graphing chart. Use the number of children wearing each of three or four main colors, how many wore slippers, how many brought a sleeping bag or how many have their own bedrooms or have to share. Count the number of hits and misses in a "pillow fight" (beanbag toss) game or have the children count how many pieces of popcorn they have in their snack cups. Carry the activity further with a measuring activity, having the children dip and pour one-half (or other measurement) of punch or milk into their individual cups.
Print some pictures of clocks with numbers, but no hands. Use a teaching-clock for a visual aid. Discuss what time each child goes to bed and what time she gets up in the morning. Place the clock hands on the correct numbers for each time, and have the children draw hands on their clock pictures to match the sample clock.
Make some learning games like Memory or Bingo, using different concepts related to bedtime and parties. Some suggestions include long pajamas, short pajamas, nightgowns, sleeping bags, pillows, beds, party hats, party snacks and stuffed animals. Play Memory games in small groups and Bingo with the whole class.
Read books that focus on nighttime, pajamas and other bedtime concepts. "Llama, Llama Red Pajama," "Good Night Moon," "Back to Bed, Ed," and "The House in the Night," are some popular books for bedtime reading. Discuss the stories to enhance reading comprehension. Take the story concept further and have the children draw one or more pictures to tell a story, and have them share their stories with the class.