Preschool

My NeighborhoodDirections Take a walk around your neighborhood and look at what makes it unique. Point out differences from and similarities to other places. Can your child distinguish various types of homes and shops? Look at the buildings and t...

Make-Believe HospitalMaterials Stuffed animals Pillows Blankets White clothes for uniforms Thermometer Bandages Medicine measuring spoon Sling (cloth diaper or other material folded into a triangle)Directions Using friends, stuffed animals, or co...

What's Missing? Memory GameTest your preschool child's memory skills. Can she tell what's missing in this fun game? Materials Various household objects or small toysDirections Test your preschooler's memory skills by placing a few toys or househ...

My NameMaterials Paper Pen or marker Clear contact paper Crayon or marker Damp clothDirections Help your child learn to print her name. Draw two parallel solid lines with a broken line in the middle. Print your child's first and last name on the ...

Framed Flowers Materials Flowers or leaves Crayon shavings Wax paper Newspaper Iron Directions Go out on a walk with your child and pick some pretty spring flowers or fall leaves. At home, make shavings of brightly colored crayons with a grater o...

Play CityMaterials Markers Large sheet of paperDirections Using markers on a large sheet of paper, draw an imaginary city big enough for your child's cars and trucks. Be sure to include some landmarks familiar to your child: bank, grocery store, ...

Preschool can be a great time for children to have social experiences with their peers and to be positively influenced by other caring adults. ...

Christmas Dough OrnamentsDirections Make a batch of dough ornaments. Glue magnets to the backs for Christmas refrigerator decorations, hang from your Christmas tree as ornaments, give as Christmas gifts, or use as a finishing touch on wrapped gif...

String Block Printing Materials String or rope Small blocks of wood Tempera paint, liquid Shallow pan Paper Directions Wrap string or rope several times around a small block of wood. Tie it in place (make sure the rope is distributed evenly over ...

Scribble Drawing Materials Paper CrayonsDirections Show your child how to scribble on a piece of white paper with a crayon, using big circular motions to form loops. Then have your child color in each loop with a different color, creating a very ...

Plaster Hand and FootprintsMaterials Patch plaster or plaster of Paris 1 1/4 cups water Tin can Mixing spoon Paper plates Picture hook (optional) Directions To make the plaster mix, stir two cups of patch plaster or plaster of Paris and one and a...

Finger-Paint Prints Materials Fingerpaint Plastic tabletop Large sheets of paper Directions You can purchase commercial fingerpaint, or you can make your own. Place a small amount of fingerpaint onto a plastic tabletop, and have your child mess a...

Where Do We Live?Materials Map of your city, town, or neighborhoodDirections Look for your city, town, or neighborhood on a map. Point out your home's location and the location of relatives' and best friends' homes. Find the school your child wil...

Language PlayDirections Learn simple words in different languages. Teach your child to count to ten in other languages and to say simple words like "hello," "good-bye," and "thank you." Have a theme day when you locate a country on the map and ta...

The Pros and Cons of Preschool When your child is potty trained you have the option of sending her to preschool. Most preschool programs last a half day and provide structured activities and some preliminary studies to prepare your child for kin...

Thumbprint Mice Materials Stamp pad Paper Crayons or markersDirections Have your child press her thumb on a stamp pad and then press it onto paper. Show your child how to draw a mouse tail and ears on the thumbprint to complete each mouse. Do thi...

Picture a Story Materials Paper Crayons or markersDirections Have your child draw a series of four or five pictures. Have her then dictate a story to go with each picture. You can write the story on the bottom of the picture as it is told. ...

Felt Doll Materials Felt Pen or marker Cardboard Glue Scissors Scraps of yarn and fabric Shoe boxDirections Draw the shape of a person on a square of felt. The person should have clearly defined arms and legs, with the arms held away from the bod...