I Am Special Theme and Activities


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It is important for young children to feel good about themselves. It is never too early to teach the power of a positive attitude and the importance of having self confidence. These activities will help develop positive self-esteem in preschoolers.

I Am Special Songs

I Am Special (Tune: Frere' Jacques)
I am special, I am special (point to self)
If you look, you will see
Someone very special, someone very special,
It is me, it is me!! (Point to self) 

Look who's special.
Look who's special.
Is it her, you, or me?
No, it's all of us, you see!
We're all so special as can be!

Special Special (Tune: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)
Special special special me
How I wonder what I'll be
In this big world I can be
Anything I want to be
Special special special me
How I wonder what I'll be

I Am Special Group Activities

"I Can" Chart
Talk about what the children can do. Have each child say something that they know how to do. List what each child says on a chart. Example: I can ride a bike (Sally). I can set the table (Joey). I can do a somersault (Ashley).

I Am Special Art Activities

My Body Jigsaw
Help child trace a body part outline on butcher paper. Cut it out in one piece and glue on to a stiffer paper or cardboard. Child can decorate and then teacher can cut the puzzle into pieces.

Me Flag
On a cut flag shape, children cut out pictures of their favorite foods, animals, toys etc., Glue on to the banner.

Thumbprint Art
Let children create a picture with thumbprints. Roll thumbs in washable poster paint. The caption: "Made by Thumbody Special!"

Self-Portrait Banner
Give each child a piece of paper and have them draw a self-portrait. When all pictures are done, use yarn or ribbon to tie each picture onto a banner to display in your room.

I Am Special Math and Science

Explore with Magnifying Glasses
Provide magnifying glasses and encourage the children to use the magnifiying glasses to look at their fingerprints, skin, hair, etc.

"I Am Special" book
Make an "I Am Special" book. You can use our I Am Special Book Template and have each child complete the pages. When finished, have them share with the rest of the children.

Fingerprints
Explain that no two people have the same fingerprints. Help each child to use an ink pad to make fingerprints on a white sheet of construction paper. Line up everyone's finger prints on a table or hang on the wall. Have children use a magnifying class to observe the fingerprints and look for similarities and differences.

Eye Color Graphing
Have a bar chart with each eye color (Brown, Blue, Green, Hazel) on top. Pass around a mirror and have each child say what eye color they have. They can then put their picture under the correct color. Talk about how each eye color is special, but discover what the most common eye color among them is.

How Tall Am I?
Have each child stand up and measure a string from the top of their head to their feet. Cut the string and let child go around room to find things that are taller than them and shorter than them.

I Am Special Motor Skills and Movement

Who is it?
Have the children sit in a circle. Pick one child to go outside the room. Hide a child under a blanket in the middle of the circle. Have the child come back in the room and try to figure out who is under the blanket. Give them hints (long hair, brown hair, blue shoes, etc.) until they figure it out.

I Am Special Books

  • I Can Do It Myself by Emily Perl
  • Hooray For Me! by Remy Charlip, Lilian Moore I'm Glad to be Me by P.K. Hallinan
  • I Know What I Like by Norma Simon

More I Am Special Resources