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Did you know that when preschoolers play, they learn? It's true! Use these activities to encourage your preschooler to play. Visit the PA's Promise for Children website to print a copy of Kindergarten Here I Come!
We're learning Language and Literacy Skills
Do it!
Use stuffed animals, action figures, or dolls to retell a story you've read with your preschooler. Use a sock to make a puppet for storytelling. Provide a variety of materials of various textures and patterns for your preschooler to decorate and accessorize the puppet. Allow them to hold the handle and manipulate the puppet. Puppets can also be used to help preschoolers overcome a fear or explore an obstacle by creating a story just for them.
Read it!
The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant. Neighborhood Mother Goose by Nina Crews.
We're learning Mathematical Thinking and Expression
Do it!
Use objects to make patterns with your preschooler. Lay out a spoon, a spoon, a cup, and ask your child to make the same pattern. Try black socks, white socks, black socks, and see if your preschooler can tell you what's next. Clap, tap, or move your bodies in a repeated motion. Include opportunities to touch and feel textures and shapes of objects as a means of sorting. When your preschooler is hesitant to participate, bring in items of interest to engage them. Use familiar objects like favorite toy animals, cars, or trains. Introduce descriptive written and signed words, including the colors and sizes of the objects.
Read it!
Stripes of All Types by Susan Stockdale. Elmer by David McKee.
We're learning Science Thinking and Technology
Do it!
Play the Guess the Taste game. On a plate, place different foods (such as a berry, an orange, cheese, and a pretzel). Have your preschooler close their eyes, then give them a taste. See if they can guess which it is! If your preschooler is hesitant to taste the items, have them smell each item. Use items with strong scents. Ask them to identify the scent. If an open-ended question is too difficult, simplify by giving a choice: "Is this a berry or an orange?" Allow your preschooler to feel the food. Use descriptive words and signs like sticky, smooth, and hard to describe each item. Allow them to help you make something using these foods. When children help prepare food, they are more likely to try something new!
Read it!
Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake by Michael Kaplan. Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban.
We're learning Social Emotional Development
Do it!
Look through magazines to find people's faces. Talk about the expressions and emotions showing on their faces. How many different expressions can you and your preschooler find? Allow your preschooler to feel your face as you make each expression. Describe in detail what you see to enhance the activity for children with limited vision. Use the signs, words, and photos of emotions to reinforce language development.
Read it!
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst and Ray Cruz. The Pout-Pout Fish (A Pout-Pout Fish Adventure) by Deborah Diesen and Dan Hanna.
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