As an active dramatic play activity read a favorite children’s story, then have the children pretend to be characters from that story. For example, read The Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown to the children.
Do the children drive you crazy when they have to play inside on rainy days? Children need active play every day. Taking children outside where they can use their large muscles to run, jump, skip, climb, hop, ride a bike, swing, and slide is the best kind of active play.
Outdoor play is essential for children, especially during winter days, as it allows them to use their large muscles and work off extra energy. National health and wellness standards recommend daily outdoor play and daily physical activity for children of all ages. Find ideas for outdoor play activities to get those extra wiggles out.
Diversity activities teach young children to respect and celebrate the differences in all people. Learning about different cultural aspects offers new experiences for children.
Children often see adults exchange coins and bills when they buy things. As children grow and start to make choices, they learn that people, things, and money have value. These concepts form the foundation for understanding the importance of spending, sharing, and saving.
Stress is often thought of as a grown-up condition, but children can also experience stress. Stress in children can result from school, homework, friends, family disruptions, changes in routines, and many other situations.
The skills learned from team building are important parts of personal and group development in children. During team building activities, children have the chance to communicate with each other and work towards a common goal. By practicing being an effective team member and team leader, children develop confidence in their own abilities.
There has been debate among scholars about whether children learn to be leaders from their experiences or if leadership is something a person is born with. We know that all children have the potential to develop leadership skills.
Reuse is a large part of reducing waste. It can save us from having to buy new items, and reduces the amount of trash we throw way. Uses for reused materials are only limited by imagination.
How do animals, trees, and the world, get ready for winter?
Children learn about their world by pretending, and by using their senses.
Children learn through their senses. Use a story and activities to sharpen their skills.
The seasons each offer their own unique nature markers. Compare the seasons, look at the life cycle of frogs, and do frog activities.
Most early childhood classrooms have a housekeeping area that is used for dramatic play. Did you know that dramatic play is much more than one little activity area?
Young children seem to always be on the move. Getting them to sit for any length of time is challenging. Even very young babies reach out to explore things around them. It is through this initial interaction with their world that children develop a sense of curiosity that leads to learning. Children learn best when they are engaged in exploring the world around them.
You may be thinking: “Really? I work with preschoolers and I am certainly not an engineer or mathematician. How can I possibly teach the children these things?”
Plants are a great way to get children excited about the world around them.
To help youth stay engaged during waiting times, staff can invite them to play thinking games that use science knowledge, critical thinking, mental math, and logic skills.
Young children are often fascinated with the insect life they see around them. Use their enthusiasm as an opportunity to explore the many fascinating things about the world of insects, including metamorphosis, one of the most interesting characteristics.
Children are fascinated with airplanes. This fascination can be a doorway to rich STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning even for the youngest children.
Snowflakes are amazing symmetrical crystals and a unique and fascinating phenomenon that originated from a speck in a cloud. Adults can encourage young scientists to explore hexagons and emphasize the six-pointed structure of a real snow crystal. Learn about snow crystals and find activities to teach geometry and patterns with snowflakes.
