A Dachshund Preschool Story (Video and Printables)

Preschool Story Discussion Questions

1. What color was the ball that Coco wanted to play with?
2. Why couldn't Coco reach the ball at first?
3. What did Coco use to help him get the ball?
4. How did Coco feel when he finally got the ball?

Preschool Story Activities

Activity 1: Color &  Trace Activity

Page 1: Coco the Puppy

1. Print a simple line drawing of a puppy for the children to color. Make sure to name the puppy "Coco" at the top or bottom of the page.
2. Underneath the puppy or at the bottom of the page, include the word "Coco" written out in large, dotted letters. This will give the children a chance to trace the name.

Page 2: Ball

1. Print a simple line drawing of a ball for the children to color. Label it as "Ball" at the top or bottom of the page.
2. Underneath the ball or at the bottom of the page, include the word "Ball" written out in large, dotted letters. This will provide an opportunity for the children to trace the word.

Page 3: Blanket

1. Print a simple line drawing of a blanket for the children to color. Label it as "Blanket" at the top or bottom of the page.
2. Underneath the blanket or at the bottom of the page, include the word "Blanket" written out in large, dotted letters. This gives the children a chance to practice their tracing skills with this word.

Let the children enjoy coloring the images and tracing the words at their own pace. This activity will reinforce the story's key elements and provide them with fun, creative, and educational engagement.

Activity 1: Act Out the Story

Materials needed: a toy dog (to represent Coco), a ball, a small chair, and a small blanket.

Steps:

1. Have the children act out the story as you read it aloud.
2. Let them pretend to be Coco and try to reach a ball on a chair.
3. Ask them to think about how Coco felt at different points in the story and have them show these emotions.

Activity 2: Drawing Activity

Materials needed: Drawing paper, crayons.

Steps:

1. Ask the children to draw a scene from the story.
2. They could draw Coco looking at the ball, trying to climb up the chair, or playing with the ball.

Activity 3: Ball Games

Materials needed: A soft ball.

Steps:

1. Play some simple ball games that involve rolling and chasing the ball, like in the story.

Dachshunds Fun Facts for Kids

1. They're known as "Hot Dog" dogs: Dachshunds have a long body and short legs, which makes them look a bit like a hot dog. That's why they're often called "hot dog dogs".
2. They were originally bred for hunting: Dachshunds come from Germany, where they were originally bred to hunt badgers and other burrowing animals. Their long bodies and short legs were perfect for digging into badger holes.
3. There are three types of Dachshunds: There are three different types of Dachshund coats: smooth, long-haired, and wire-haired. So you can have a Dachshund with different types of fur!
4. Dachshunds love to dig: Because they were originally bred for hunting burrowing animals, Dachshunds have a natural love for digging. So don't be surprised if you see them digging in the yard or in their blankets!
5. Dachshunds are brave and tenacious: Even though they're small, Dachshunds are known for being very brave and tenacious, just like Coco in our story!
6. Dachshunds can have different colors: Dachshunds can come in many different colors and patterns, including black, red, chocolate, cream, and even dappled (spotted)!
7. Their name means "Badger Dog" in German: The word "Dachshund" comes from two German words: "Dachs," which means badger, and "Hund," which means dog. So Dachshund literally means "Badger Dog"!

Remember to handle Dachshunds gently due to their long backs, and provide them with lots of love and care!

Educational Storytelling: A Parent's FAQ

Q: Why is your story told so slowly?

A: Our stories are deliberately paced slower to help young children follow along. This gives them ample time to understand the plot, recognize the words, and fully engage with the storyline.

Q: Why are the sentences so short?

A: We use short sentences to make the story easier for young children to comprehend. It also allows children to practice their reading skills without feeling overwhelmed by too much text at once.

Q: Why are there only a few characters in your story?

A: We limit the number of characters in our stories to keep the narratives simple and focused. This can make it easier for children to remember the characters and understand their roles in the story.

Q: Why is there a lot of repetition in your stories?

A: Repetition helps children remember and learn new words. It can also provide a comforting rhythm that can engage young readers or listeners.

Q: Why do you use such simple words in your stories?

A: The use of simple words supports language development in young children. It helps them to recognize and understand common words, and aids in building their vocabulary.

Q: Why do you use pictures in your stories?

A: Pictures not only make the story more engaging for children, but they also aid in comprehension. Children can use the pictures as visual clues to understand the story and the words used in it.

Q: Why do you include activities and lessons related to the story?

A: The activities and lessons help reinforce the themes and vocabulary from the story. They provide a fun and interactive way for children to engage with the content and deepen their understanding.