When the temperatures drop, bring the educational fun indoors with these fun, easy activities for infants, toddlers, and preschool children.
This fun snack-tivity will not only introduce preschoolers to making food for themselves, but also help them develop fine-motor skills. Check out more activities like this one from GIANT Encyclopedia of Preschool Activities for 3-Year-Olds.
printable Cooking Large GroupThis science activity from the book Simple STEAM allows children to explore a rain cloud by simulating the concept using shaving cream and food coloring. Science is the foundation of children’s learning about their world and is also a way of thinking. Encouraging children to ask questions and to observe, predict, and explain their ideas supports the development of scientific inquiry. The skills and processes of inquiry, observation, and exploration are foundation skills for all sciences and are not limited to “science” time. This activity will also show you ways to incorporate other disciplines like technology, engineering, art, and math in order to make this a well-rounded STEAM experience.
Math Science TechnologyIn this activity from The GIANT Encyclopedia of Preschool Activities for 3-Year-Olds, children will take part in painting their own flower pots and planting flower seeds. Allow the children to observe and take care of the plant with water and sunshine, and talk to them about the growth cycle of plants from seed, to bud, to bloom.
printable Science Spring Large GroupInfants and toddlers learn and explore the world around them through their senses. You don't have to buy fancy toys in order to create materials that will engage young children's senses—infants and toddlers love to explore everyday materials! This activity allows children to explore their sense of touch in order to describe the differences between each fabric they feel. Get more activities to engage infants and toddlers in the book The Encyclopedia of Infant and Toddler Activities For Children Birth to 3.
printable Sensory Large GroupLearning centers are a great way to "set the stage" for dramatic play with the setting, props, and even costumes. In this dramatic play learning center, children can pretend to be vets by helping their stuffed animals. Through dramatic play, children gain social-emotional skills, language and oral skills, motor skills, confidence, and more. Get the book The GIANT Encyclopedia Of Learning Center Activities For Children 3 to 6 for fresh new learning center ideas from teachers who have used them in their own classrooms!
printable Movement and Play Literacy Language Social Emotional Large GroupSt. Patrick's Day falls on March 17th and celebrates the famous patron saint of Ireland. In this activity, children will use fine motor skills to lace yarn through a shamrock while learning about this Irish symbol for the holy trinity— faith, hope and love. For more festive monthly activities, get the book, The GIANT Encyclopedia of Monthly Activities For Children 3 to 6.
printable Art Sensory Individual ChildWelcome spring with this nature necklaces activity! We know that interacting with nature is beneficial for children on many levels, but sometimes it can be difficult for teachers to know how to incorporate nature into children's days. This nature necklaces activity from The GIANT Encyclopedia of Science Activities for Children 3 to 6 can be done outside or inside (with collected nature items brought indoors) and incorporated easily into other curriculum or learning centers.
printable Outdoor Learning Art Science Spring Large GroupChildren are naturally drawn to beauty in nature. This activity allows children to observe and ask questions about flowers as they make their own flower arrangements. This activity can be done with fresh flowers from a florist, wild flowers from outside, or dried flowers. For more simple science activities that peak children's natural interest, get the book The GIANT Encyclopedia of Science Activities for Children 3 to 6.
printable Outdoor Learning Science Spring Large GroupThis hands-on relaxation activity helps children begin to develop skills for self-regulation and learn how to move from an excited state to a more calm state. These important social-emotional skills of initiative and self-control will be useful through children's lives as they learn and grow! Get the book Socially Strong, Emotionally Secure: 50 Activities to Promote Resilience in Young Children for more strategies and activities to help children become socially and emotionally healthy for life.
Social EmotionalWhat better way to celebrate Valentine's Day (February 14th) than with a fun craft that children can use to decorate the classroom, or take home to decorate their own space?! Check out the instructions below for creating Valentine Mobiles from the book, The GIANT Encyclopedia of Monthly Activities For Children 3 to 6.
printable Art Individual ChildCreate sparkle ice sculptures and even fake snow with hands-on activities to entertain kids in and out of the classroom.
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