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The GIANT Encyclopedia of Preschool Activities for 3-Year-Olds

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The GIANT Encyclopedia of Preschool Activities for 3-Year-Olds

Materials

Mild, unscented hand lotion

Instructions

1. Go outside and bring the children to a spot with a good vantage point to see
the whole play area. Ask them to sit down.
2. Explain that they will try to make a map of the playground so visitors can see
what the playground is like.
3. Begin by drawing a red circle to show where you and the children are sitting.
Then draw an item or two to help them get an idea of the layout. (For
example, "Here is where the swings are, and the slide is over here.")
4. Now ask the children to tell you where to draw the rest of the items on the
playground. Be sure to include trees and other natural landmarks. Use lots of
good "position" words as you describe where to draw things. (For example,
"The see-saw is between the tree and the sidewalk.")
5. Once the map is complete, play a game where you point to a spot on the
map, and one or two children run to that spot on the playground. Ask the
rest of the children to decide if they have gone to the right spot. Start out
with easy directions, such as pointing directly to the slide or swings. Then
make it more challenging by pointing to an area near certain landmarks.
6. Hide an object somewhere on the playground and give clues using the map
and encourage the children to go find it.
More to do
Make a map of the classroom using the same techniques.
Home-School Connection: Ask the children and their parents or older siblings to
make a map of their home or bedroom.

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