Preschool Activity Centers

Life Skill: Thinking & Reasoning; Communication

Time Frame: 45 minutes x 2 sessions

Summary:An important part of child care is the planning of activity centers.

Objective: Participate in hands-on experiences.

Materials:A box or bag of simple props (i.e. a receiving blanket, paper tube, doll, pillow case, balloon, rope or yarn, an old magazine, a piece of paper, ball, and a sock); copies of the assignment presentation sign-up sheet, books, web pages, and various resources for students to utilize.

Background For Teachers:Review child development principles.

Student Prior Knowledge:Basic child development principles.

Intended Learning Outcomes:Students will plan activity centers for children.

Instructional Procedures:Using the props, have the students identify as many uses as possible for each item. By encouraging creativity using a lot of variety, spark their imagination and creativity.
Review the activity center assignment found on the attachment. Students choose and sign up for their own theme and presentation date. Work on ideas and resources for the remainder of the class. You may allow an additional day of working time or make this a homework assignment.
The skills that each activity teaches may include (but are not limited to): large motor muscles — using big muscles to run, jump, catch, skip, and move; small motor muscles — using fingers to cut, draw, trace, glue, and pick up things; social skills — how to get along with others, developing friendship skills and good manners, etc.; speech development — learning to speak, learning new words, songs, rhymes, etc.; healthy living habits — nutrition, safety, cleanliness, sleep, exercise; math — sorting, counting, patterns, associations, etc.; shapes and colors.

Grading will be based on neatness, completion of assignments, creativity, and organization. Please be sure to have all your samples and supplies in class on your presentation day.
25 points per activity (225 points)
25 points for class presentation (25 points) Total 250 points

Source: http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=452