Sensory play supports language development, cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, problem-solving skills, and social interaction. This type of play aids in developing and enhancing memory. It is great for calming an anxious or frustrated child. Make these (cheap) squishy sensory bags to place on the light table and reap the benefits of all these. This…
Science
5 Senses Activities for Preschoolers – Science Centers
Calling all scientists, explorers, and exhausted teachers who could use a hand planning science centers for the entire year with just one simple click of the mouse. 😉 Jokes and run-on sentences aside… lesson planning can be so time-consuming and overwhelming. These 5 Senses Activities for Preschoolers have been kid-tested and teacher-approved. Five Senses Activities for Preschoolers…
Unicorn Fizz – A Magical Way to Practice Fine Motor Skills
Fun and learning don’t have to be difficult for the teacher to be effective! This super-simple science experiment takes only a few supplies to set up and will engage your students…all while sneaking in some science and fine-motor skills. It’s truly “magical!” Materials needed: plate, bowl, or foil trays (link to amazon) boxes of baking…
Shadow Play
We had the most wonderful, accidental learning experience at preschool recently. What started as a few flashlights in the block center quickly turned into a complex, exciting and robust study of light and shadows. The best part? There were no special supplies and just a minute of set-up. Come look at this beautiful Shadow Play center…
5 Senses Activity – Sound Matching Game
Learning about the 5 Senses is so important for young children. It’s the perfect unit for preschoolers because exploring the world with the senses is their natural inclination. Set up easy centers for each sense at the science center and try this Sound Matching Game as a circle time lesson. Sense of Sound Matching Game…
10 STEM Challenges
Young children are naturally curious, creative risk-takers. We can nurture their natural instincts to question, build, and solve problems by offering them playful STEM challenges. At preschool, students have lots of time in the block center and at the light table to tinker and build. By the time they get to elementary school time for play is…
15 Five Senses Activities
Learning about the 5 senses is a great thematic unit for preschoolers, especially at the beginning of the year. Young children are naturally curious about the world around them and often use their senses to explore and learn. When we set up 5 senses learning centers in our classroom, we give children the opportunity to play,…
Oil & Water Science Experiment
Experimenting with oil and water is a very basic but fun activity for young children. Our lunch bunch group loved this experiment that uses just oil, water and cotton balls. To begin, we made predictions about whether or not a plain cotton ball would float or sink in water. (We have experimented with floating and…
Magnets in the Science Center
Our science center is stocked with lots of cool magnets and magnetic objects. We started with a basic magnetic/non magnetic sort, and have slowly added more interesting items for the students to explore. This is a pencil with round magnets on it, stacked so that they will repel each other. The preschoolers love to take…
Fizzy Rainbows
What is better than a color theory experiment? A color theory experiment that includes chemistry and fine motor skills to boot! This fizzy rainbow activity is an excellent (and easy!) way to present all 3 things to your preschoolers. Give each student a shallow tray of baking soda. Allow them time to explore it with their senses–…