The book featured in this activity plan extends the attention to feelings offered in recent and current Social-Emotional activity plans. Toddlers’ familiarity with happy is a useful base for strengthening awareness of new words and phrases. In particular, monitor each toddler’s reaction to your descriptions of action words included in the book text and corresponding pictures. Some words or phrases may not be familiar to some toddlers in the contexts in which they are used in the book. Example: The “push the blocks” phrase may be new to a toddler who thinks of the action as “knocking over” a tower of blocks. Look for opportunities to help a toddler learn that the same action can be described in different ways.

Extra support

• Sing or say slowly “If you’re happy and you know it” so toddlers can focus on words that may be easily missed when the phrase is sung or said quickly. Toddlers are likely familiar with the tune of this popular song, but may not know some of the words or what the words mean. Example: It may be helpful to say or sing “you are” rather than “you’re.”

Enrichment

• Leave out a key word when you sing or say “If you’re happy” for toddlers to fill in.

Doing an action associated with a word or phrase is a valuable way to strengthen understanding of the word or phrase. Saying a key word is also beneficial for language development. Some toddlers may prefer to watch and listen rather than talk and act. Remember that watching and listening are useful ways to learn, and positively acknowledge different forms of participation.

Extra support

• Use an actual tower of blocks and rattle or shaker if you anticipate it will be challenging for toddlers to imagine these items when you demonstrate an action.

Enrichment

• Ask toddlers what they like to do when they feel happy.