A delightful preschool experience
There’s a little nip in the air in the mornings, and that means Autumn is just around the corner! At Play To Learn, we have our favorite play dough recipe is that it is very easy to substitute ingredients (like we did in this Apple Cinnamon dough) to make it into something new. Children love…
One of our favorite thematic units is the 5 Senses. It’s perfect for all of the sights, sounds, and smells of fall and it’s also a great way to start off the school year. We plan center activities that incorporate multiple senses, that are inviting and of course fun! This Apple Cinnamon Play Dough is…
Young children are natural learners who form ideas about math when they experience it in their daily lives. Setting the table for snack, counting the friends in their class, using a timer to share a toy, and measuring sand at the sensory table are all ways that children begin to understand mathematical concepts. One of…
Our preschoolers need lots of opportunities to practice writing in ways that are developmentally appropriate. Sometimes we practice writing the letters of the alphabet in salt trays and, of course, we always practice writing our names. Another way that our students like to practice is with dry erase markers. We made these Alphabet Practice pages to…
The dramatic play center is the perfect place for young children to “play to learn”. Our basic home living center is a kitchen, with play food, dishes, babies, dress-up clothes, and a phone. For a week or two each month we transform it into something extra special. This Sandwich Shop is a great one to…
The light table is a wonderful way to engross students in an open-ended activity. It encourages language development, higher level thinking skills, and is a great tool for visual learners. It can also sometimes be a challenge coming up with different ways to use it. With a few simple additions, you can give…
One of the main goals of preschool literacy instruction is to teach young children the alphabet. For some children, this comes very easily and naturally but for many others, it takes a lot of time, energy, and practice. It is tempting to think that sit-down practice with paper and pencil is the best way for our…
This Halloween bead center is all treat! Children love the themed beads and don’t even realize all the skills they are practicing while they use them! A bead center does not need to be expensive. Simply use some thin dowel rods pushed into heavy duty craft foam. Large pony beads work well. Find them at…
When there’s a nip in the air and frost in the morning, it’s time to get out some favorite books about Fall. Preschoolers enjoy being able to relate to the story. They might chime in with, “The leaves are falling off of MY tree too!” Extending the learning through centers is a fantastic way to…
One of our early math goals is to develop a strong number sense in children. We want them to be able to identify numbers, use one-to-one matching while counting, and also to be able to subitize (visualize) quantities. These Pumpkin Counting Mats are a great way to practice all of these essential skills, in a very fun, playful and developmentally…