Elmer, the colourful patchwork elephant from David McKee’s beloved children’s book, is a fantastic character to use for a range of creative and educational EYFS activities.
Below are some Elmer activities for EYFS that promote creativity, language development, emotional literacy, and early maths skills while aligning with the EYFS framework.
Blossom’s Recommended Elmer the Elephant Activities for Early Years:
1. Elmer Story Time and Retelling
Start by reading Elmer to the children, using different voices and props to bring the characters to life. After reading, encourage children to retell the story in their own words or act it out in a role-play scenario.
This activity builds listening, comprehension, and communication skills while reinforcing the themes of individuality and acceptance.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development and Early Learning Goals:
- Literacy (Comprehension, Word Reading)
- Communication and Language (Speaking)
- Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (People, Culture and Communities, The Natural World)
2. Elmer Colour Sorting Game
Create an activity where children sort colourful blocks or objects into different containers based on their colours, just like Elmer’s patchwork design.
This simple game introduces early maths concepts like sorting, categorising, and recognising colours, while also developing fine motor skills.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development and Early Learning Goals:
- Mathematics (Number)
- Physical Development (Fine Motor Skills)
- Communication and Language (Listening, Attention and Understanding)
3. Patchwork Elephant Craft
Children can make their own patchwork elephants using a printable Elmer template and coloured paper, tissue paper, or paint. Encourage them to cover Elmer in vibrant colours and patterns, developing fine motor skills through cutting and glueing while fostering creativity.
This activity also promotes discussions about diversity and being unique, tying into the themes of the story.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development and Early Learning Goals:
- Expressive Arts and Design (Creating with Materials)
- Physical Development (Fine Motor Skills)
- Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (Self-Regulation)
4. Elmer-Themed Sensory Play
Set up a sensory bin with colourful items that represent Elmer’s patchwork colours, such as fabric squares, pom-poms, and ribbons. Encourage children to explore the textures and colours, describing how they feel and look.
This activity enhances sensory development, colour recognition, and language skills as children talk about what they discover.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development and Early Learning Goals:
- Understanding the World (The Natural World)
- Physical Development (Fine Motor Skills)
- Communication and Language (Speaking)
5. Elmer’s Elephant Parade
Organise a group activity where children create their own elephants using recycled materials such as cardboard boxes, then parade them around the room just like in the story.
This activity promotes teamwork, creativity, and physical coordination as children decorate and move their elephants together.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development and Early Learning Goals:
- Physical Development (Gross Motor Skills)
- Expressive Arts and Design (Being Imaginative and Expressive)
- Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (Buiding Relationships)
6. Emotional Literacy with Elmer
Discuss the themes of emotions and feelings using Elmer as an example. You can introduce activities where children identify and discuss different emotions that Elmer might have felt in the story, such as happiness, pride, or sadness.
You can also create emotion cards that children match to characters’ expressions, helping to build emotional literacy and empathy.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development and Early Learning Goals:
- Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (Managing Self, Self-Regulation)
- Communication and Language (Speaking)
7. Elmer Colour Mixing Experiment
Use paint or coloured water to introduce a colour-mixing activity where children experiment with blending colours, just like the different colours in Elmer’s patchwork. Ask them to predict what will happen when two colours are mixed and then watch the results.
This introduces early science concepts and promotes problem-solving and critical thinking.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development and Early Learning Goals:
- Understanding the World (The Natural World)
- Expressive Arts and Design (Creating with Materials)
- Communication and Language (Speaking)
Incorporating Elmer activities for EYFS provides a vibrant and engaging way to teach children about colours, emotions, individuality, and early maths concepts.
These activities help promote creativity, fine motor development, and social-emotional learning while reinforcing the themes of the Elmer story.
