Pocahontas Movie: Educational Activities and Games for 2 to 5 Year Olds

Let's face it, kids love movies, but it's been proven that they should watch no more than 2 hours of TV a day. So why not combine their love of a movie and activities that will help them learn and grow? Following are suggestions for the movie Pocahontas released in 1995. These activities would also work well for preschool classes and party games for this age group.

Watch the movie

Let your kids watch the show while you prepare the activities for the rest of the day or attend to other responsibilities.

Rhyme Activity

Teach your child this rhyme. It will teach them about how things grow.

Tiny Seeds

Tiny seed planted just right (make your hand into a ball)

Not a breath of air, not a ray of light

Rain falls slowly to and fro,

And now the seed begins to grow (start unfolding your hand)

Slowly reaching for the light

With all its energy, all its might.

The little seed's work is almost done,

To grow up tall and face the sun (stand up and reach your hands up high)

Read a Book

There are a lot of incredible books available to go along with the movie Pocahontas. Pick one you think your child would enjoy and involve them while you are reading. Ask them questions about the pictures and story. Following are a few suggestions of books to read.

• On the Road of Stars: Native American Night Poems and Sleep Charms by John Bierhorst and Judy Pedersen
• Pocahontas: Daughter of a Chief (Rookie Biographies) by Carol Greene
• Corn Is Maize (Let's-Read-and-Find... Science 2) by Aliki
• Why Does The Raccoon Have A Mask? by Hailey A. Porterfield and Bruce Laborin

Take a Trip

If it is fall odds are that there is a corn maze somewhere nearby that you can go to. While you are there show your child the corn stalks and talk to them about what grows on them. If it is summer you can talk a trip to a nearby farm that grows corn or visit a garden with corn growing in it. If it is winter you could "plant" a bean in a clear plastic bag with a damp paper towel. Your child will be able to watch it sprout. Point out the different parts of the plant as it grows.

Rhythm Instrument

Native Americans are known for their rhythm and drum instruments. You can make some of your own with your child. Show your child how two wooden spoons can be hit together to make noise. Fill a paper sack or a plastic container with a lid with dry beans or lentils. Tie the top of the bag or put the lid on the container and show your child how to shake them. Have fun listening to and playing the different "instruments".