Preschool Activities
I have a four year old who likes to be included occasionally when we do school. I know he would love it if I did more things with him but I guess I’m just not organized enough to have activities lined out for him.
I’m of the opinion that it is beneficial to give him something that has learning value. I don’t want to give him, nor does he want, coloring pages. What other things can we do?
Here are a few sites I’ve found that have helpful ideas for what to do with preschoolers.
Simply Charlotte Mason – Ideas for 3-5 year olds
What to Do with Preschoolers by Karen Andreola
Higher Up and Further In has some very doable ideas
LaPaz Home Learning shares Montessori-type activities that we’ve used
Sunny has started a nature blog that inspires me, not just for my preschooler, but for all my kiddoes
The Critical Thinking Co. has a Visual Perceptual Skill Building book that my 4yos has enjoyed too
Charlotte Mason even has something to say on children under the age of 6 and their learning.
"A child will have taught himself to paint, paste, cut paper, knit, weave, hammer and saw, make lovely things in clay and sand, build castles with his bricks; possibly, too, will have taught himself to read, write, and do sums, besides acquiring no end of knowledge and notions about the world he lives in, by the time he is six or seven. What I contend for is that he shall do these things because he chooses (provided that the standard of perfection in his small works be kept before him)." Vol. 1 pg. 193
One day this week Justus (4yo) kept asking me, "Can we do school. I want to do school."
I chose the actiivty of putting flour in a pie plate and letting him write letters in it. I was going to use rice but I didnt think it left a good enough imprint. Flour worked great, albeit a little messier.
As he chose a letter we would say the sound it makes. We would then think of words that started with that sound.
"D" for dog, doll, etc.
2yo sister just had to try it too.
If you have any ideas or links that you would like to share, please feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts.
6 Comments
EagleHeights
I did the same thing with my kids, only I used salt in a small shallow cookie sheet. I still have it. It's great for practicing cursive letters, too.
It's amazing to me how much Melody has learned just by her own observation and her own desire to learn. Sometimes when Grace is reading, Melody sounds out the words before Grace does… much to Grace's frustration.
I notice that you have an ABC puzzle. We have one too, and what I used to do with it is play a game with them. I'll say the sound of a letter and they have to find the letter and take it out. Then when it's time to put it back in, I'll say the name of a letter and they have to find the right one and put it back. They loved it!
Do you have the game "Boggle Junior"? Little ones love it. Sometimes I'll either play it with them, or have one of the older ones do it. Other times I just let them play it theirself.
southmsmomof4
Looks like they are having fun and learning too. My 2 yr old would really enjoy this, I'll have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing. Have a blessed holiday season.
Stacy
kellieann
I used http://www.letteroftheweek.com when my youngest was pre-school age. He loved it, and it is very adaptable.
JacciM
Very fun! Charlotte Mason also wrote about children under six writing their letters in a tray of sand as a kind of "play". Sounds just like your flour idea! 🙂 I'm not keeping trays of sand in my house anytime soon, but I do allow cookie sheets with cornmeal on them sometimes 🙂 I like the flour option, too. Might be a good activity on days when we make Christmas cookies. Thanks for the motivational post and pics!
jenefork
Thanks for sharing the sites with helpful ideas. I also have a 4 year old that likes to have something to do. Drawing letters in flour looks fun. 🙂
Jenelle
pioneergirl
How cute! He is such a nice brother!
Ppioneergirl