Circle time is an important daily activity in the preschool classroom. There are so many things that happen during circle time. Children listen to a story, learn who is present and absent, discuss the daily schedule, talk about special happenings in their lives, find out about new materials in the classroom, and perhaps, sing a song or do a movement activity.
In our daily circle times, we are constantly learning together! This special time helps establish a sense of community among members of our class, and enables us to officially start the day! For this activity, we used a story board to tell the story of Ten Apples Up On Top.
Before we started, each child was given an apple made of felt. As the story was read, students would bring their apples up to the board. This enabled each child to identify different sections, relate to plot details, and become a part of the story!
Painting is much more than just a simple activity. Painting is a way for children to do many important things: convey ideas, express emotion, use their senses, explore color, explore process and outcomes, and create aesthetically pleasing works and experiences.
Children form many connections and ideas of how the painting process works for them, as well as what they enjoy about it. Watch a child painting and you will see a fully engaged child. We can almost see children’s thoughts, such as, “When I push my brush flat, my line gets bigger”, or “I like stirring this, but I don’t want to put it on paper or touch it”, or “I mixed red with more red and orange, and got fire color red!” To continue with our Ten Apples Up On Top theme, we painted with apples! Using corn skewers, apples, and paper, we practiced dipping our apples into paint and creating our very own apple prints!
Young children enjoy learning about how things work.
By participating in a vast array of science activities, they are learning important critical thinking and observation skills. These activities also promote their inherent sense of curiosity about the world.
For this activity we experimented with sinking and floating. Using real apples, we placed them in water to observe whether they would sink or float. Then, we used tongs to grasp them. We were “bobbing” for apples!
Using goldfish crackers and pictures of fish bowls, our number sorting project was a popular event this morning! The activity was introduced by talking about different numbers. Quantitative concepts were discussed; including, by not limited to: the difference between large and small, identification and classification of various fish, sizes, and counting.
Our students eagerly collected their goldfish, sorted them according to number and counted them! The more our young ones are exposed to different opportunities for counting, the more eager they are to continue to count! By using a variety of objects, we reinforce number recognition and the understanding of quantity. Children are able to understand math through early play. When they sort objects according to different criteria, they are given the opportunity to apply mathematical concepts to their everyday play and experiences.
The book One Fish Two Fish provided the inspiration for this fishing activity.
Using cardboard cut-outs of fish from the book and magnetic fishing poles, students went fishing, proudly showing off their catches to their friends!
Our second week involved us learning all about the book One Fish, Two Fish.
For this activity, we used plastic fish, blue gel, small rocks, and plastic plants to create aquariums!
This entire week included a host of activities that revolved around fish.
By introducing a host of different activities, your little one was better able to relate to the material!
Young children learn best by “doing”.
Because we are always talking about our colors, we practiced sorting fish according to their color. Using cardboard cut-outs of fish and a Twister board, we placed fish onto their matching color.
This activity fostered an array of pre-math skills, including sorting, classifying, and categorizing items by similar and contrasting characteristics.