ALL ABOUT ELMER

The Pre-Starters and Startres group held a week odf activities to celebrate the much-loved children's book about the fun-loving, colourful elephant Elmer-including decorating their own Elmer!The original Elmer book was published in 1968, establishing the main character’s cheerful and optimistic personality traits and now famous yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, blue, green, black and white patchwork pattern. Consequent stories explored themes relating to diversity, with Elmer discovering that when he tries to change his appearance in order to 'blend in' with the other elephants, they no longer recognise him, or accept him as one of their own.

The rest of the week was filled with painting in bright colours and making a collage of elephants. Children enjoyed decorating elephant using different shapes as we have been learning basic shapes with pre-starters and sang songs about shapes. We enjoyed playing games, like Elefun and reading a range of Elmer stories.

Elmer is one of those characters that children have loved for generations. He has a wonderful personality and the stories really capture their imaginations. The theme of diversity is a powerful one; Elmer paints himself grey to blend in but when it begins to rain and the grey washes away to reveal his true colours he realises that his friends love him just the way he is.

This is an incredibly positive message for children of all ages.