Compiled by Susan Chrisman
Manipulative play: (Encouraging fine motor control)
blocks in graduated sizes and shapes; parquetry blocks (shape blocks); Duplos; Legos; Lincoln Logs; Knex; nesting toys; threading; pounding toys; cutting with scissors using the correct grip; cutting play dough, straws, junk mail, making fringe on the edge of paper; finger plays; manipulating clothes pins to pick up small objects; tearing paper; wadding strips of torn paper with one hand; lacing activities; sewing activities; threading ideas: cut straws, macaroni, beads
Creative problem solving and imaginative/pretend play
tools; cooking utensils; gadgets; lengths of fabric; simple costumes (dress-up box); toy tools & utensils; small figures; tea party supplies; home-made tents (card table or 2 chairs with sheet thrown across); mud
Visual patterning:
puzzles; parquetry blocks (shape blocks); dominoes; kaleidoscopes; stitchery activities/cards (link visual & cognitive skills)
Auditory patterning:
rhymes; instruments; tunes (folk tunes); familiar stories; rhythm activities & imitation; attention to household & outdoor sounds
Relationship patterning:
nesting and stacking toys or objects; containers for dumping and pouring; art materials; stringing or sorting different sizes of beads and buttons; measuring cups, spoons, tape, rulers, etc.; cooking activities; gardening; sorting activities (classification)
Motor patterning:
utensils; tools; cutting; rolling balls; catching/throwing balls; games of copying finger or body movements (i.e. Itsy, Bitsy Spider and I'm a Little Teapot)
More patterning and organizing:
easels and paints; construction paper; clay; glue; sand; mud; Play-Doh; finger paints; water
Activities encouraging crossing the mid line:
playing with cars on a large path or mat; painting on large paper; balls skills reaching across the middle of the body; playing flashlight tag (child with flashlight follows beam of adult with flashlight); turning a steering wheel in a large arc; washing the car; cleaning up spills; playing pick-up games; scooping games; side-walk chalk; working puzzles on the floor; playing table games with the child sitting on the floor; stamping with ink-stamps on a large sheet of paper
Activities encouraging bilateral coordination:
crawling; running; skipping; climbing; playing with a large fitness ball; dancing; riding a bicycle
One Day in a Preschooler's Education
How to explain your child's foundational learning to a friend or family member who questions why you're not teaching them to read yet:
Ran and kicked a ball.
- built connections between two sides of the brain
- worked on bilateral coordination
- eye-foot coordination
- motor patterning
Played observation game.
- visualization skills
- oral communication skills
- visual and relationship patterning
- visual perception
- sequencing and other mental patterning
- nature study/science
Dug in the garden & planted seeds.
- ocular motor skills
- relationship patterning
- fine motor skills
- motor patterning
- nature study/science
- early math skills
Played with puzzles & nesting toys.
- ocular motor skills
- visual perception
- relationship patterning
- fine motor skills
- motor patterning
- manipulative play
Self-directed play
- pretending
- mental patterning
- visual patterning
- gross motor skills
- fine motor skills
- hand-eye coordination
- concept of gravity
- measuring (relationship patterning)
Played a board game.
- early math skills
- crossing the mid line
- oral communication skills
- social skills
- hand-eye coordination
- introduction to prediction skills
Listened to Mom read a book.
- visualization skills
- prediction/sequencing
- attention skills
- mental patterning
- sequencing (relationship patterning)
- nature study
Helped set the table for dinner.
- early math skills
- motor patterning
- social skills
- balance
- crossing the mid line
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