Preschool Activities - Traffic Light Game

With all the snow here in the US and the "cabin fever" of the holidays
taking its toll, I want to suggest some preschool activities that will help use up some of the energy and a snack to match!

These are ideas that work well with two year olds all the way up to the 5 year olds. Give these a try and see how they work for you. If you're a mom using these at home you might even find the older kids getting in on the action!


Traffic Light Game
Make three traffic lights. (Cut 3 strips of paper about 4 x 12 inches.
Draw 3 large circles on them lengthwise to resemble a traffic light. Glue
a Green Circle on one, a Yellow Circle on another and finally a Red circle
on the last one. Mount these 3 lights on their own stick or ruler.)

Have music available to play. Start the music and hold up the Green
light. Have the children march along to the music. Change the “light” to
Yellow so they know to slow down . When you switch to the Red light, they
have to FREEZE in place. They really enjoy this game and the yellow light
gives them a little time to settle down which can be hard at this age.)


Traffic Light Snacks!
Give each child a rectangle-shaped graham cracker. Give them a small
amount of cream cheese or icing to spread on the cracker. Give each child
one red M&M, one yellow M&M, and one green M&M to set up on the graham cracker like a traffic light. **If you want to use something larger, tint the icing to the appropriate colors and frost a round cookie instead of using M&M's. Explain what the three colors of the traffic light mean while decorating the crackers if you do this before the game. If it is after the game...no explanation is needed!


Have fun with this and enjoy the new month! Send me any ideas you have and I'll share them here for all of us.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

PS: If you would like to receive my free newsletter for more ideas for
your preschool class, enter your name and address at the site below:

http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html

Free Preschool Curriculum - Things That are Round

It's hard to believe that we are about to start a new year! It is time to look ahead and plan so I'm offering these free preschool curriculum ideas on teaching shapes.

Circles are the topic today and even your youngest will be able to help with these activities. The most basic toy for any child is a ball. Start with that to introduce the idea of round--the ultimate circle and something they all have experience with.

Try these ideas and they will understand the concept in no time!

Activities:
1- Things that are Round- Fill a box with a variety of round objects. These could be a small paper plate, ball, ring, coin (be sure if your children are young that none of the objects are small), buttons, orange, etc. Ask your children to think of something that is round to see if they understand what the shape looks like. Next show them how many different things are in the box that are round. Let them feel them and see that there are no edges. Next go on a tour of the classroom or even outside and look for things that are round.

2- Circle Stamps- use regular household items as circle-shaped stamps. This can include paper towel rolls, plastic cups, corks, empty flower pots, empty water bottles, coasters, etc. Dip one end of the stamp in paint, and press down lightly on a piece of white paper to make a circle-shaped stamp. It is best to have different colors of paint for this project. Even your youngest can do the stamping.


If you have ideas to share or requests for preschool themes send them along. I'll post them here for all of us to use and enjoy.

Thanks,

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

P.S. If you would like to receive my free newsletters for ideas for your preschool class, enter your name and address at the site below:

http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html

Free Preschool Lesson Plans - Letter Recognition Activity

Hi there,

If you're like me you're always on the watch for free preschool lesson plans. Here is an idea for a Letter Recognition Activity which is fun, engaging and successful! What more could we ask for as preschool teachers!

Try this idea that Jamie, one of my subscribers sent to me, and let me know how it works for you. My preschool class loved it!


From Jamie...
Letter Recognition Activity

The obstacle course was a way cute idea! Today we had the same problem in our class room and we played a game of musical alphabet.

We placed several letter cards face up on the floor and we walked around on each card. (They are laminated and strong enough to step on). The children took turns holding the music (which was a toy that plays music that they could stop when they wanted) then the children would stop and pick up the card they ended on and say the name of the letter and a word that starts with the same sound. We kept going until we were out of cards. They enjoyed taking turns. It got them moving any way.

We also played a game of head and shoulders knees and toes and we upped the tempo until it was really fast, all the kids loved that one.

Thank you for all the amazing information I have obtained off of your sight it has been very helpful and a fantastic preschool resource!!



If you have ideas to share, send them along and I'll post them here for all of us to use and enjoy.

Thanks,

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

P.S. If you would like to receive my free newsletters for ideas for your preschool class, enter your name and address at the site below:

http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html

Preschool Ideas - Puppet Just Like Me

I receive so many creative preschool ideas from all of my readers.
Here is an idea that was sent to me recently by one of my subscribers.

I think these could be great holiday gifts for parents as well. Thanks to Tonya for sharing this.

Puppet Just Like Me

Create a puppet just like me.Children are supplied with socks, different
coloured wool for hair, different coloured felt pieces for eyes and nose &
mouths, etc. Have the children look at themselves in the mirror and then
put what colour hair they have on the sock and so on.

Have a show & tell with each child's puppet to get them to tell the class
how they think they look. This works really well with a class discussion
normally happening--like your hair isn't that colour etc.

This activity can also be used in a multicultural program!


If you have ideas to share, send them along and I'll post them here for all of us to use and enjoy.

Thanks,

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

P.S. If you would like to receive my free newsletters for ideas for your preschool class, enter your name and address at the site below:

http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html

Preschool Thanksgiving Craft - Pumpkin Pie Play Dough

Hello,

I don't want to slight our friend the turkey at this time of year but I am always looking for fresh ideas for a preschool Thanksgiving craft.


One of my subscribers, Celia, sent in this wonderful recipe for PUMPKIN PIE PLAY DOUGH. Once you make this, the children come up with some very creative ideas. It's fun to listen to the conversations as well when they describe their creations!


Pumpkin Pie Play Dough

What You Need:

5 ½ cups of flour
1 container (1 ½ oz) pumpkin pie spice
2 cups of salt
Orange food coloring(one part red, two parts yellow)
8 Teaspoons cream of tartar
¾ cup oil
4 Cups water

What You Do:

* Mix all ingredients together
* Cook and stir over medium heat until lumps disappear
* Knead the dough on a floured surface until it is smooth
* Store in an airtight container


Let the imaginations and conversations lead your day with this activity.

Enjoy,

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com



PS: If you would like to receive my free newsletter for more ideas for your preschool class, enter your name and address at the site below:

http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html

Preschool Circle Time

Are you looking for ideas for preschool circle time? I want to pass along some ideas that have been sent to me recently. They are simple, effective and fun! What could be better than that?


From Linda…
Magic Carpet Squares
For circle time to get the children to stay in one spot we use carpet samples. They each choose one when circle time starts and they are to keep their bottom on the carpet square until circle time is over. We then put all carpet samples in a box until next time. Stores that are discontinuing carpet samples will gladly give them away.

From Theresa...
Song for Circle Time:

TO LEARN EACH OTHERS NAME. WE SING THERE WAS A MAN WHO HAD A DOG AND BINGO WAS HIS NAME-O. WE SAY THERE WAS A GIRL HER NAME WAS TAMMY AND TAMMY WAS HER NAME-O(BUT TAMMY IS NOT HER NAME IT’S REALLY THERESA.) SO THE CHILDREN WILL SCREAM NO ITS THERESA. AND WE CONTINUE THE SONG. THEY LOVE IT. ITS OUR SONG AFTER GOOD MORNING. THIS IS HOW WE LEARN EACH OTHER NAME.

THERE WAS A GIRL HER NAME IS THERESA AND THERESA WAS HER NAMEO. THERESA, THERESA, THERESA,THERESA, THERESA, THERESA AND THERESA WAS HER NAME-O. ALWAYS USE ANOTHER NAME FOR CHILD THAT. (LIKE TAMMY WITH A T- FOR THERESA WITH A T)


I hope you enjoy getting these ideas to use with your preschoolers. If you have ideas to share, send them along and I'll post them here for all of us to use and enjoy.

Thanks,

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

P.S. If you would like to receive my free newsletters for ideas for your preschool class, enter your name and address at the site below:

http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html

Fall Art Activities for Preschool

November is here and the scenery here in the states can be drab. Try using
these fall art activities for preschool to brighten up your classroom with your preschoolers help.

They love being part of the process and seeing their efforts so proudly displayed in the classroom.

One of my subscribers sent in her idea on how to decorate the room. I have included one of the activities from my lesson plans for the Chain of Gratitude.


From Lucy…Harvest Decorations
We celebrate the harvest in our school and decorate our room to look like a market place. I really enjoy doing paper Mache with the children. We use balloons in various sizes and paint them different colors to represent fruit and vegetables.


Group: Chain of Gratitude
Have students cut one-inch strips of fall-colored construction paper. On each strip, have them tell you what to write for something they are grateful for. Everyone’s strips should be looped into circles and combined, forming a chain of gratitude. It can be hung at the front of the room as a reminder that we always have something to be grateful for.


Try these preschool art activities and remember if you have ideas to share, send them along and I'll post them here for all of us to use and enjoy.

Thanks,

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

P.S. If you would like to receive my free newsletters for ideas for your
preschool class, enter your name and address at the site below:

http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html