This activity is part of a lesson plan that provides a basic introduction to different types of bears. Preschoolers may not have made the connection that though they may look quite different, all bears are related. Create a chart with images of the different types of bears. Include polar bears, giant pandas, grizzly bears, black bears and brown bears. Have the preschoolers sit in a circle with the chart in the centre. Everyone claps to a certain rhythm and the teacher points to a picture of the bear and each child in the circle in turn calls out what type of bear it is.
Combining science with an art activity is another way to engage preschoolers who love to get their hands dirty. Provide preschoolers with a sheet of white paper and a sheet of blue paper. Show them how to make a polar bear by tearing up pieces of white paper. The pieces are then pasted onto the blue paper in a polar bear shape. Or put socks on the preschoolers' hands and have them paint the way they imagine a polar bear would paint. Explain the concept of polar and show children on a globe or map of the world where polar bears live.
Have preschoolers engage in putting together a bear puzzle while you talk about bears. Puzzles depicting bears are available either online or at museum stores and zoo gift shops. The challenge of building a puzzle is a good way for preschoolers to channel their energy. They will enjoy seeing the image start to appear as they add the pieces. While preschoolers are busy with the puzzle, you can also tell a story about Goldilocks and the three bears. Have the preschoolers decide what types of bears Goldilocks encountered. You can also talk about the habitats of different bears and discuss their different diets.
There are plenty of images of bears you can download and print out for preschoolers to color. While the children are coloring in, quiz them on the different types of diets of the various bears. Once the children are done, during their nap time, have them pretend that they are bears going into hibernation. Explain what hibernation is and why its essential for the bear's survival. Describe which bears hibernate and why one should never try to wake a bear up from hibernation before its ready to wake up. When the nap time is over, let the preschoolers pretend they are bears waking up from hibernation. They should look for food now that hibernation is over.