In 2010, we introduced an exciting new “Buddy Bear” project for our children. It was a huge success and we have continued with the idea into 2011. At our annual AGM, families receive an information package regarding the philosophy, operation and enrolment procedures relevant to the preschool.
Included in this package is our little “Buddy Bear” kit and instructions.
Over the Christmas holidays, parents are encourage to engage with their children to make their own unique Buddy Bear. This little bear is made at home with love, and comes to live at preschool when the children begin the new year. The bears have their own little Buddy Bear house (made by Grandpa Brian) where they live with all of the other Buddy Bears during the preschool year.
The children are extremely proud of their Buddy Bears and the bears are often spotted talking to each other and joining in with play around the room.
At the end of the year, the little Buddy Bears set off on an adventure with the children’s “Transition Reports” to big school. There the bears wait patiently in the classroom all the way through Christmas for the children to arrive at the beginning of their first year of primary school.
Our parents and children have really embraced this idea and it has been very beneficial in helping the children settle into the preschool environment.
The bears you see ‘above’ were with us in 2010 and have since gone on to big school. Our new 2011 Buddy Bears are making their way to preschool now and we will post a picture soon!
View some of our 2011 buddy bears here.
Karen,
Your Buddy Bears project is such a lovely idea!
I intend to take up this idea, if this is ok with you. My group changes on an ongoing basis, as children enter our center throughout the year sometimes, and so the children sometimes move up as they get older, so to speak. So the buddy bear would be a nice way for a child and their family to be introduced, and the child can take their bear with them as they move up. Thanks so much for this great idea.
Brenda
You are more than welcome Brenda! I think that is what blogging should be all about, sharing and exchanging ideas. I have found some wonderful and inspiring ideas through blogging and I think the program I provide for the children is so much better for it! Good luck with it… your children will love it! 🙂
Oh this is such a beautiful idea, love it Karen. l too will like to use this one day . Thank you so ever much
Hi Karen,
We love this idea, and are hoping to include it in next years program. Just wondering if you would mind sharing the instructions to make the bears?
Thanks
Your Buddy Bear idea is beautiful & I can see how the children would really love it. What a great way to help promote their own sense of identity & uniqueness . I would be keen to have a copy of the instructions & ideas on what you sent home in the kit ( materials. Letter to families explaining it etc). I would love to use this with my preschool class. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Andrea! 🙂 Thank you for dropping by this post. Yes, Buddy Bears have been a very popular addition to our program. Parents and children love them! We are heading into our forth year of doing this and it amazes me to see the tremendous variation we are still getting with the bears.
I have had someone message me on our FB page asking the exact questions you have asked, so I will put together a post for you with all the details you are requesting. Love to share! 🙂
Thanks Karen. I will look forward to it. I love looking at your blog. You have such inspiring ideas 🙂
Thank you Andrea, I am glad you find it helpful. I love the opportunity to share ideas and learn from others and follow many blogs myself. We have just started back this year so I will include some images of our current batch of buddy bears too! 🙂
What an absolutely beautiful idea, would love to try it with my children!
These are just wonderful, would you know where I can access the pattern.? Thank you so much for sharing such a great idea.