Preschool Kids Activities - Cabin Fever Rescue

Hello,

One phenomenon all of us have to deal with, no matter what the season is, is cabin fever. We are kept inside due to inclement weather of some sort and need preschool kids activities to meet the demand. The energy levels increase and it is so important to find creative ways to expend it.

Here are a couple of the ways that work for me. Give them a try and see how they work for you.


COPY CAT

1. Do any movement and ask the children to copy it (example: wave your hand, jump on one foot)
2. Do another a second movement and ask the children to copy you again (eg. rub your head)
3. Combine the two movements and ask the children to copy again
4. Use this as a sequencing game and see how many motions you can add that the children can remember. Younger ones may just be able to do two and older ones more and more.


CATCH A TAIL

Have your kids hold on to one another at the waist in a line formation.

The last person in line has a scarf in his/her back pocket. The object is to get the children to stay in line with the last person trying to take the scarf out of the pocket. The end of the line tries to avoid being caught by the leader.

If it is successfully removed the first player moves to the back and the game continues with a new leader of the line.


I hope these help in your situation. Send me any favorites you have and I'll be sure share them here.


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 - Fishing for ???

Hello,

I am amazed at all the wonderful ideas you are all sending to me to share on the blog. This preschool circle time suggestion was sent in and I think you will find it a great resource.

Here is an idea for your preschoolers that is so versatile--it is perfect for circle time and the variations are endless. You can use this to teach colors, letters, numbers, etc. Read below for an excellent easy-to-make, low cost preschool activity that is worth its weight in gold!


Sherrin's idea is--
• photo copy pictures of fish in different coloured paper
• cut
• laminate
• put magnet on the fish
• make rods out of dowling
• tie string on the end
• add magnet to string

Aim of the game each child has a turn of catching the fish.
The teacher asks the child to catch me a red fish and they have to catch a red fish etc..... Or you could put the alphabet on the fish, or numbers etc....

The kids really love this game for circle time!



Have fun with this and enjoy your class! Keep the ideas coming in; thanks in advance!

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 Math Activities - Number Count Down

Hi There,

Are you looking for some new ideas for preschool math activities?

Try these suggestions to encourage counting skills, and observation skills.

Preschool children love a challenge; throw in a timer, give them a task and you have their attention for sure! Give these a try and let me know how it works for you.

Find and Count

The teacher and the children decide what they are going to be looking for and counting. This could be something that you are teaching for the day, such as a color or a shape. For example use the shape of a circle and tell the class they have 5 minutes to look around the room and point out all things with that shape.

Place a mark on the board for each item they point out, then with the class, count how many they found. This is an excellent way to encourage observation skills and teaching counting as well


The Count Down

This is something that even toddlers can do maybe with only three numbers but they can do this.

Use any objects you have in the room such as blocks, cars, toys, etc.

Give them the starting number (such as "we have 6 blocks") and then begin taking them away one at a time. Count down until there are none left. With toddlers start with 3 items, then 2 then 1. It helps to display a number chart so that they can see the numbers, read or recognize the number and help you with the count down. Fun and a good way for them to learn numbers.

Let me know how your class or children like these ideas and send me your own. It is fun to share them here for all.

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 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