Let’s have some fun with lions and learn to count! Imagine five big, fluffy lions having a great time jumping on a bed. But oh no! One lion falls off and bumps his head. What happens next? Mama lion calls the doctor, and the doctor says, “No more lions jumping on the bed!”
Now, there are four big lions left jumping on the bed. They are having so much fun, but then, another lion falls off and bumps his head. Mama lion calls the doctor again, and the doctor says, “No more lions jumping on the bed!”
Next, there are three big lions jumping on the bed. Can you guess what happens? Yes, one more lion falls off and bumps his head. Mama lion calls the doctor, and the doctor says, “No more lions jumping on the bed!”
Now, only two big lions are left. They keep jumping and jumping, but then, one lion falls off and bumps his head. Mama lion calls the doctor, and the doctor says, “No more lions jumping on the bed!”
Finally, there is just one big lion jumping on the bed. This last lion falls off and bumps his head too. Mama lion calls the doctor, and this time the doctor says, “Put those lions right to bed.”
Wasn’t that a fun way to learn counting? We started with five lions and counted down to zero. Remember, it’s important to play safely and listen to grown-ups, just like the lions learned from the doctor. Now, you can try counting with your toys or even make up your own fun stories!
Lion Puppet Show: Create simple lion puppets using paper bags or socks. Use these puppets to act out the story of the lions jumping on the bed. As each lion falls off, count how many are left. Encourage the children to use their puppets to create their own stories with different animals or characters, practicing counting down from different numbers.
Lion Jump Game: Set up a small area with cushions or mats to represent a “bed.” Have the children pretend to be lions and jump on the “bed.” As you narrate the story, call out when a lion falls off, and have one child step aside each time. Afterward, discuss how many lions are left and what they learned about taking turns and playing safely.
Counting Safari: Go on a “safari” around the classroom or playground. Ask the children to find and count different objects or animals (real or pretend) they see, such as birds, leaves, or toys. Encourage them to create their own counting stories based on what they find, similar to the lion story, and share them with the class.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
Five big lions jumping on the bed.
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
“No more lions jumping on the bed.”
Four big lions jumping on the bed.
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
“No more lions jumping on the bed.”
Three big lions jumping on the bed.
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
“No more lions jumping on the bed.”
Two big lions jumping on the bed.
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
“No more lions jumping on the bed.”
One big lion jumping on the bed.
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
“Put those lions right to bed.”
