The Dog and His Reflection is a wonderful story about a dog that sees a reflection of the bone he is holding in his mouth. Thinking it is another bone and one larger than the one he already has, he leaps into the water. As a result, he gets all wet and goes home with nothing.

It’s a great story for helping kids reflect on being grateful for what they already have.

“It is foolish to be greedy.”

 

The Dog and His Reflection

5 Activities for Preschoolers

 

1. The Dog and His Reflection – Engage in the Story

While reading the story, let the kids hold a block (bone).

Encourage the kids to drop the bone when the dog drops his bone in the story.

You can find a copy of the story at the Library of Congress.

 

2. The Dog and His Reflection – Dog Mask

Mask and bone cut outs, elastic, and foam squares were provided by Mother Goose Time.

• Have the kids make a mask to look like a dog.
• The foam can be used to cut out a nose or spots.
• Tape or staple the elastic to fit the mask around the child’s head.
• Encourage the children to wear the dog masks and search for special places in the room to hide their bone.

 

3. The Dog and His Reflection – Measure with Bones

Discuss and Explore

• Where do you think your bones are?
• Name a body part and encourage children to feel the bones below their skin.

Play Together

• Invite one child to lie on the floor.
• Encourage the other children to place bone cut outs (ours are supplied by Mother Goose Time), along his or her body to count how many bones long he or she is.
• Invite the child to write his name and the number of bones long he is on a sheet of paper.

 

4. The Dog and His Reflection – Letter Reflection

Set Up

• Set out a mirror or foil on the table.
• Spread a small amount of shaving cream on the mirror.
• Set out the letter and shape cards on the table or tape them to a nearby wall.

Independent Play

• Encourage children to explore writing letters and drawing shapes in the shaving cream.
• Invite children to explore looking into the mirror and seeing their own reflection.

 

 

5. The Dog and His Reflection – Watch the Fable

Set Up

Set up a computer or tablet for children to watch the fable “The Dog and His Reflection.”

Big Questions

• How is this story different from or similar to the one in the book?
• Do you prefer watching a story or  listening to one?

 

Our Experience

• Our kids loved exploring these extension activities for The Dog and His Reflection from Mother Goose Time!
• We have measured everyone in the house including the dog and cat with our bone cut outs.
• We have shared the video of The Dog and His Reflection with Dad and Grandma.
• The dog masks have been warn to greet the mail lady complete with sound effects!

Mama Hint

When it says to use a small amount of shaving cream, you really just need enough to coat the bottom of a tray.

I gave the kids way too much.

Since we were outside and had free access to a hose, it was just funny. The boys couldn’t resist turning the activity into body art.

Preschool is for having fun and getting excited about learning. So, I went with it and they had a blast making “a”s on their tummies! My kindergartner practiced her entire alphabet this way….LOL

 

Join Us

I hope you’ll try some of these activities with your kids.

If you are interested in reading more about our experience with Mother Goose Time, check out our curriculum page!

If you love seeing Mother Goose Time in action be sure to follow us on Instagram!

 

Happy Learning!

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a blog ambassador for Mother Goose Time, I am happy to share preschool curriculum ideas, activities, and crafts with my readers.  Mother Goose Time provides our family the opportunity to use their curriculum free of charge in exchange for honest and authentic stories based on our personal experience.