Blog: PreK

Good morning! It looks like another warm and possibly stormy day. Here are three invitations for preschoolers which can be adapted for indoor or outdoor exploration.

Outdoor/Large Motor Invitation: Tree adventure

This invitation can be offered outside or inside, it is linked to the other invitations for today which can be done indoors or outside as well. First, invite your child to go on a mini-adventure and select a tree. This can be done from inside, picking a tree they can see through the window, or by going outside and finding a nearby tree. Invite them to use all their senses to investigate the tree. What does each aspect of it look like? What do they smell? What do they hear when they are quiet? How does the bark feel? The leaves and branches? If you are inside or cannot get close to the tree, invite them to imagine these sensory experiences. What do they think/imagine this tree is like? What would they like to know about it? 

Connecting/Social Invitation: Make something for a tree

After your child has spent some time observing and connecting with a tree, ask them what they think the tree might like as a gift. You might consider sharing some of the work of British sculptor Andy Goldsworthy with them as inspiration. You can find a short video here. 

Fine Motor Invitation: Observational drawing/writing

Provide your child with some paper and a firm surface to write on such as a clipboard and a pencil or fine-line marker. Invite them to make some observational drawings of the tree they have selected. Invite them to look closely, like a scientist, to notice details. This type of drawing builds a related but slightly different set of skills from more free artistic drawing.

Good morning! It is somehow already Wednesday. Here are three invitations for preschoolers today.

Language/Literacy Invitation: Storyteller’s workshop (audio recording)

Today we are thinking about sound and how we now have the technology to record stories right at our fingertips. You can use a voice memo app or other recording device to record your child telling a story. They might want to tell their story while drawing or building the imaginary world from blocks. Younger children might enjoy telling a familiar story with a sibling or caregiver. For example, filling in the building materials in “The Three Little Pigs” with silly objects generally delights young children.

Sensory/Dramatic Play Invitation: Sensory bin small world

The preschool teachers at LACS were inspired by the work of educators at Opal School in Portland, OR and their work with small worlds, “Small worlds offer children the possibility to take on new perspectives, challenge their assumptions, and invent new ways to be together.” Today we wonder how you might bring some of what small worlds offer to your child using materials you have around the house.  

Music/Movement Invitation: Music/dance

You and your child might want to explore the world of dance through ADF’s Movies by Movers series and their “The World is Our Stage” 60-second dance challenge series. The second set ranges from fun to provocative and might inspire your child to try different types of movement.

Good morning! We hope your week is off to a good start. Here are three invitations for preschoolers today.

Art Invitation: Mono-printing with loose parts

We are so curious about what children will think about this art process! This post from Fairydust Teaching explains the process very clearly. We hope it will be an interesting technique for children to explore and open new worlds of creative expression.

Fine Motor Invitation: Frame/mirror design work

Has your child been drawn to the design work you have offered over the past few months? Today we invite you to offer some of the same materials (mirror or empty frame, loose parts or a collection of natural materials, etc.) along with something different. This could be an inspirational photograph of a piece of art, or a new material. It could be something simple like putting the frame on a piece of black or white cloth. Take a photograph of your child’s design work today so they can reflect on it later.

Fine Motor/Language Invitation: Podcasts and puzzles

It looks like there might be thunderstorms later today; it might be a good time to put on a podcast or audiobook and get out some puzzles. This combination can be engaging and soothing for young children (and adults). Durham County Library has many wonderful audiobooks in their online collections including series like The Boxcar Children, Rainbow Fairies, and Magic Treehouse. You could also try the podcast Circle Round which shares stories from around the world. 

Good morning! We hope you had a wonderful and safe holiday weekend. Here are three invitations you might offer your preschooler today.

Social/Emotional Invitation: Connect with a friend!

Connecting with friends these days is a very different experience these days. It is difficult, but not impossible, for preschool-aged children to practice physical distancing. You might be able to find a friend whose family is comfortable with your children kicking a soccer ball back and forth, or for planning some socially distanced water relay games. Your child might also enjoy a videochat tea party or block building play date. Video puppet shows and dance parties are also ways to connect in real time. Your child might also have enjoyed sending (and possibly receiving) mail over the last three months and you can set out paper and drawing/writing utensils for them today. Whatever you and your child come up with, we hope it helps them feel connected with the world in some small way and brings them joy.

Sensory Invitation: Summer moon sand

You can use regular sand, kinetic sand, or homemade moon sand (8 parts flour to 1 part baby oil) for this invitation. Spread the moon sand in a large storage bin or small plastic pool and add a variety of summery accessories. These could be natural materials like shells, driftwood and stones, or sandcastle supplies like pails and shovels. Invite your child to explore what they can do with the sand and other materials.

Fine Motor/Building Invitation: Interlocking blocks

Interlocking blocks (Duplo or Lego blocks) are often offered as a fine motor invitation in the preschool room at LACS. The preschool teachers will open one of the large bins of Lego and offer them on the large front porch table or offer smaller sets inside. While these do use fine motor skills they also engage other areas as children build and explore. When children count how tall their towers are they are using pre-math skills; when they build strong houses for the three little pigs, they are using their imaginations; and when they fit blocks of different sizes together they are exploring concepts in geometry and often building persistence.