Preschool Activities

View our Parent Handbook

Activities Offered At Preschool

The preschool lab is a carefully planned learning environment divided into a number of interest or learning centers. These centers are supervised by the parents who work as assistant teachers. It is a busy place as children move about the preschool, free to explore and experiment with the materials and equipment. Each day you come to preschool you will be assigned to work in a learning center. Below will give you an idea of what you may find available for your child on any given day and tips on how you can help.

LEARNING CENTER / ACTIVITY	WHAT THE CHILD LEARNS	PARENT PARTICIPATION
Small Muscle/ Manipulatives Beads, peg sets, puzzles, lotto, parquetry, small blocks, Legoes	Eye-hand coordination, small muscle development, colors, sizes, numbers, space relationships, shapes, language, likeness/ differences	Help a child who seems to need it. Let the child have the satisfaction of success. Rotate materials to keep children's interest.
Creative Activities Painting, clay, markers, glue, playdough, chalk, crayons, scissors, tape	New sensory experiences Tensional outlet Self expression Small muscle development and coordination Color, shapes, textures Language Whole/part relationship	Set up the materials attractively. Give simple suggestions which will aid child in satisfying use. Emphasize the experience, not the end product. Do not make models or ask "What is it?" Encourage the child to talk about it, if s/he wishes. Write the child's name on the back of the work in manuscript alphabet. Let child print own name if able.
Blocks Large and small blocks used with various accessories such as trucks, cars, trains, animal figures, people figures and houses, etc.	Eye-hand coordination Muscle coordination Balance, shapes Math concepts Creative expression Construction Dramatic play Cooperative play Recognition of shapes Problem solving Sequencing Equivalencies	Guide building away from shelves so that blocks are accessible. Keep area reasonably clear. Put blocks away which are not in use from time to time. Do not allow blocks to be thrown or built any higher than the shoulder of the shortest child in the area.
Dramatic Play	Dramatic, imaginative, cooperative play. Opportunity to act out life's experiences, feelings Emotional outlet, social contact, family relationships	Occasionally arrange materials if needed to stimulate play. Give simple suggestions if a child needs help entering play.
Sensory Materials Water, sand, etc.	Sensory experience Measuring Tensional outlet Basic science concepts Opportunity for solitary, parallel or cooperative play	Give minimal direction. Sit low and nearby. Materials may not be thrown. Encourage talking about the materials and help develop measuring concepts if the child is interested.
Large Muscle Climber, slides, balance beams, rocking boat, etc.	Big muscle development Balance, coordination Energy, tension release Safety education Opportunity for social growth	Always watch carefully. Avoid crowding or pushing. Feet first down slides. Children's hands must be free of toys when climbing.
Carpentry	Eye-hand coordination Big muscle development Tensional outlet 3-dimensional experience in creativity	Careful supervision is needed. Tools must be used safely. Limits must be firmly enforced.
Science experiences	Development of natural curiosity of the world around them Change and growth	Share interesting objects. Encourage the children's curiosity. Help them to look, listen, feel, smell and discover.
Clean-up	Sense of orderliness and cooperation Satisfaction in helping and in completing a job. Responsibility Respect for property	A short time before clean-up warn children that it will soon be time to end the play. Encourage children to help by giving them a task to do.
Storytelling	Opportunity for quiet, restful activity Learning to listen Appreciation of books Vocabulary and speech development Visual, auditory, memory Self concept	Provide comfortable atmosphere. Choose books wisely. Show interest in reading.
Bathroom and handwashing	Experience in good health habits Development of self-help skills	Allow time for child to be self sufficient. Assist as needed. Be sure to wash hands.
Snack	Social skills Practice in pouring Awareness of nutrition Language development New taste experiences	Set an example of courtesy and friendliness Encourage conversation and sampling the foods offered.
Music Singing, dancing, rhythms and games.	Muscle coordination Awareness of different sounds and rhythms Appreciation of songs and music Language development Socialization skills Creative expression	Be a part of the music circle. Participate by singing, dancing, etc.
Field Trips (Not appropriate for Toddler groups).	Gives the child a variety of experiences Helps form accurate concepts of the world Learns how to behave in a variety of situations	Each adult should know which children s/he is responsible for and each child should know which adult s/he is with. The adult should explain a little bit about the trip and what behavior is required. Each car should have one adult to drive and one to supervise.

Children Love Our Stimulating Preschool

• Activities Offered at Preschool
• The Child at Preschool
• Parents at Preschool

Return to Main Site