HELPFUL HINTS

These are a few of the things that I have found helpful in teaching the different areas of preschool curriculum. Some of these ideas are borrowed from my elementary education classes and some are from experience with my own children. The one other thing that I would like to stress here at the beginning is that, if the child is getting bored, frustrated or distracted, go on to something else or out to the sandbox. Don't make these activities seem like work, because if it isn't fun, it won't be learning.

ART

SCIENCE

PRETEND

STORIES

MUSIC

PHYSICAL

FOOD

In each activity make sure to mention the word that begins with the letter of the week. Say "we are going to catch some w-w-w-worms. Can you hear that "w" sound at the beginning of worms? What letter makes that sound?" Emphasize it a little with each word throughout the whole week.

You can come up with tons of activities for each letter. Keep a file for each letter and type of activity. Become a pack rat of sorts. Collect anything you can find to go along with each letter. As another resource, I have collected the activities and ideas that we have found over the last seven years. I have compiled them into a book.

Book Information

Sometimes it is all we can do just to get everyone dressed and fed, let alone scraping the peanut butter off of the front doorknob and finding time to play school. But when we have time, these ideas are a place to begin and a way to give our playing a purpose. No matter what, remember that the most important part is to spend time and have fun with your kids.

Even if it is in the sandbox.