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Week 30Week 32

Week 31 · Apr 12–Apr 16, 2027

Fairy Tales & Theater

decode/sequencePaddingtonPeter and Wolf + folk tales
MonHermann ParkTueHouston Public LibraryWedChildren's Museum HoustonThuMenil ParkFriLevy Park

Illustrated film

A noticing walk

Walk slowly. Name one thing you see, one you hear, one you can touch.

Morning outing

Hermann Park

Museum DistrictOutdoor

Outside

Open Monday 6 am – 11 pm.

Park grounds. The Commons play garden opens at 9 am. The train and pedal boats start at 10 am.

Regular hours, checked Nov 11. Holidays and special events differ. Confirm before you go

LOOK

Look

Find 5 fairy-tale places in the park: a bridge, a hill, a deep wood, a castle-like building, water to cross. Photograph one. Write one exact sentence.

  1. 1Wander first. Then hunt for five things that match this week’s theme.
  2. 2Take one photo of a favorite.
  3. 3Write down one exact sentence your child says.

Railroad, lake birds, playground, and shade trees. You do not need to see the whole park.

Rain plan: HMNS or MFAH
Maps
Parents: books & supplies →Nanny: project setup & sessions →

Outing bag

0/5

Hermann Park · look kit. Use supplies already at home; follow the venue’s rules.

If useful

Afternoon · nanny guide

Set out one activity at a time. Shorten or stop when the child needs rest.

Nanny setup · before the first project session

Parents provide the materials. Prepare them during your workday before inviting the child to make the project.

  • Choose a familiar short tale and cut two large character shapes with folded card handles. Set up the box as an open stage.
  • Nanny: allow 15–20 minutes during your workday for setup before the first project session. Set aside three 15–20 minute making sessions; stop earlier if the child is ready.

Quiet

15–20 min

24-piece puzzle + 3 books.

Set out: 24-piece puzzle + 3 books. · A comfortable quiet spot

  1. Set out the quiet choices before lunch ends. Invite the child to choose one; keep the other choices nearby.
  2. Demonstrate just the first puzzle piece, lacing hole, or pattern. Stay nearby and let the child continue without correcting the result.
  3. Offer a familiar book if frustration grows. Give a two-minute warning before putting the materials in their basket together.

Try saying: “Would you like help getting started, or would you like to try?”

Circle

10–15 min

Read & explore decode/sequence

Set out: Where the Wild Things Are · Paddington · Paper · Crayon

  1. Read Where the Wild Things Are together for about five minutes. Stop at one illustration and connect it to something seen at Hermann Park.
  2. Use two illustrations to retell the story. Model ‘First…’ and invite the child to finish ‘Then…’. If that is hard, offer a choice between two pictures and tell it together.
  3. Read a short passage from Paddington for 3–5 minutes, stopping at a natural break. If attention fades, switch back to looking at pictures. Mark the place for tomorrow.

Try saying: “What do you notice in this picture that reminds you of our outing?”

After Circle · clap three words

2–3 minutes with the nanny. Listen to each word, clap its parts together, and choose the number. Then return to the day’s Studio activity.

More play →

Studio

15–20 min

Start the project

Set out: 1 Open cardboard box · 3 sheets Cardstock · 1 piece Fabric · 1 set Crayons · 1 roll Paper tape · 1 pair Adult scissors · 1 Work tray or table cover

  1. Decorate two characters and a simple background.
  2. Show one small step, then let the child try. Offer help with joining or holding pieces; accept the child's version.
  3. Put the work and remaining materials together on the project tray for the next session.

Try saying: “What would you like to try or change next?”

Late day

10 min together, then 30–45 min play

Snack, movement & free play

Set out: Usual family-approved snack · Water · One familiar song · Open-ended toys

  1. Wash hands and sit together for snack and water. Follow the family’s food and rest routines.
  2. Play a familiar song. Spend two minutes clapping its beat, then move slowly and quickly with the music. Pause it for a freeze game; let the child lead a turn.
  3. Offer two play choices, such as blocks or pretend play. Stay available while the child directs the play, without adding another lesson.
  4. Give a five-minute transition warning. Tidy one small area together and tell the parents one specific discovery from today.

Try saying: “Would you like to build or pretend? You can choose how the story goes.”

Books today

After lunch, offer two books and let the child choose. During Circle, revisit one favorite illustration and ask what happened first and next.

  • Where the Wild Things Are — Maurice Sendak
  • The Gruffalo — Julia Donaldson
  • Stuck — Oliver Jeffers
  • The Rabbit Listened — Cori Doerrfeld

Chapter read-aloud: Paddington. Read for 3–5 minutes and bookmark the stopping point.

Full basket

Music

Peter and Wolf + folk tales. Play in the car 2-3 times; one 5-minute listening session; one instrument/movement session.

  1. Choose one familiar song from this week’s music. Listen once at a comfortable volume.
  2. Replay it and clap the beat together. Invite the child to choose a movement for the chorus.
  3. Pause for a freeze game, then let the child lead. Finish after 5–10 minutes while it is still fun.

Nanny note

Write the day the way it happened. Parents read it in the journal.

Moments
  • 1.

Parents · Week 31

Procure books & supplies

Fairy Tales & Theater

  1. 1–2 weeks ahead: choose 2–4 books to borrow or order. Check home for project supplies, procure missing items, and arrange any tickets or reservations.
  2. Before the week starts: mark books and materials as ready when they are available. Tell the nanny where to find them and what is still missing.
  3. During the week: respond to the nanny’s requests for missing supplies or replacements.

Parents · procure for the project

fairy-tale theater

Buy, borrow, or find the materials below before the week starts. Make them available to the nanny; the nanny prepares the pieces and leads the project.

Gather for one child

0/7 ready

Check home first. Quantities cover this project; substitutes are fine.

Gather at home
  • Find
  • Find
  • Find
  • Find
  • Find
  • Find
  • Find

Books to borrow or order

Start with 2–4 picture books from this basket. Borrow from your library, reuse favorites, or order ahead. You do not need to buy all 15.

Amazon links search by title and author. Check the edition, format, seller and delivery date there before ordering.

  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon

Chapter read-aloud: Paddington

Find chapter book on Amazon

Nanny · Week 31

Prepare & lead the week

  1. Before the first session: check the materials, do the cutting, folding or assembly below, and set up the project bin during your workday.
  2. Each day: check weather and venue plans, pack the outing bag, set out books and music, and follow the daily nanny guide.
  3. After the activity: clean up, save unfinished work, and share one observation or supply request with the parents.

Nanny · prepare and lead

fairy-tale theater

Use the books and materials the parents have provided. During your workday, prepare the pieces, set up the space, lead the sessions, and put the work away. Tell the parents if anything is missing.

Nanny setup · before the first session

  • Choose a familiar short tale and cut two large character shapes with folded card handles. Set up the box as an open stage.
  • Nanny: allow 15–20 minutes during your workday for setup before the first project session. Set aside three 15–20 minute making sessions; stop earlier if the child is ready.

Monday · 15–20 min

Start the project

  1. Decorate two characters and a simple background.
  2. Show one small step, then let the child try. Offer help with joining or holding pieces; accept the child's version.
  3. Put the work and remaining materials together on the project tray for the next session.

Thursday · 15–20 min

Build on it

  1. Act out the beginning and middle with the adult taking one role.
  2. Show one small step, then let the child try. Offer help with joining or holding pieces; accept the child's version.
  3. Put the work and remaining materials together on the project tray for the next session.

Friday · 15–20 min

Finish & share

  1. Let the child choose an ending and perform the short story for the family.
  2. Show one small step, then let the child try. Offer help with joining or holding pieces; accept the child's version.
  3. Write one exact sentence the child says about the work and share it with the family.

Keep for next time: Keep the project on a named tray, out of reach between sessions. Leave wet work flat to dry. Return reusable tools to the shelf after Friday.

Friday nanny note

A few lines for the parents. Nothing fancy.