Activities
The preschool years are a critical time for brain growth and development. A preschooler’s brain processes more information than an adult’s brain. All those firing neurons need to form connections for proper development! A preschooler’s tantrums and strong emotions indicate that their brains are processing the world around them, learning new things, and figuring out how to make sense of all that new information. Preschool teachers are among a child’s first educators and can have a positive influence on how much the brain grows and changes before they start kindergarten.
There are many simple activities preschool teachers can integrate into their classroom schedule to have the most impact on brain growth and development. Here are a few of the best ones.
1. Practice beat
Sit with preschoolers and start by clapping once. Have them repeat what you do back to you. Then add another motion. Try clapping twice and jumping once. Keep adding beats to continue stimulating their little brains. Pretty soon you’ll see your preschoolers clapping twice, jumping once, spinning in a circle, stomping once, and then sitting down.
2. Read, read, read
Aside from the obvious language and speaking skills preschoolers pick up when listening to a story, they will also figure out how to make sense of what they are hearing. They will need to distinguish between characters and remember key facts about the setting. They will need to keep track of what has already happened in the book to understand how the story ends. By doing each of these tasks, preschoolers are forming memories and making connections that will spill over into other areas of their growth and development.
3. Play a guessing game
Think of an animal and give preschoolers clues, one at a time, about what animal you’re thinking of. As preschoolers listen to the clues, they will need to use their already existing knowledge of animals, such as that tigers have stripes, to make further connections to guess correctly. Let the preschoolers in on the action by giving them to think of an animal and give clues. This builds vocabulary skills and makes further connections between what they already know and the clues they verbalize. The great thing about this activity is that you can use clues about anything. If animals don’t interest your students, try foods, toys, or people.
4. Get active
Physical activity is essential for a preschooler, being especially crucial for their growing brains. Playing active games requires kids to remember the rules and form some basic strategy. Exercise in the form of games also helps the brain make connections to improve motor skills and coordination. Short games are the best, as preschoolers don’t have long attention spans and can get frustrated with long games that have a lot of rules. Great games include “I Spy,” tag, follow the leader, and hot potato.
5. Do puzzles
Simple wooden puzzles are just the beginning when it comes to using puzzles to promote proper brain development. All puzzle-solving helps preschoolers learn patience, perseverance, and fine motor skills. Comparing two similar pictures to find differences or hunting for a specific item in a picture are great ways to challenge preschoolers’ minds. Hiding an object and telling children they are warm or cold while they hunt is another simple way to promote brain development.
6. Break out the craft supplies (or turn on the music)
When preschoolers get creative, their brains learn how to work independently, make decisions, carry out a plan, and perhaps, most important, how to be curious. Curious children are more likely to try new things and experiment with new materials and experiences. Painting, coloring, sticking stickers to paper, crumpling tissue paper, scribbling on big pieces of butcher paper, and drawing with sidewalk chalk are all simple (and fun) preschool activities. Additionally, music can produce comparable results. Listening to music, singing, playing along with toy instruments, or just dancing around the classroom provides similar brain benefits.
7. Pretend
When children pretend, they are often making connections with what they observe in their world around them. Preschoolers love to play house for the chance to be Mom or Dad or pretend to be animals living in the jungle or the ocean. Playing in a pretend store or setting up a pretend classroom requires children to use what they already know to play the role of someone else. Pretend play allows preschoolers to recreate experiences, which teaches cooperation, communication, empathy, patience, and self-control.
8. Go outside
The natural world is fascinating to preschoolers, which is why they can spend long periods of time watching insects or studying the clouds without getting bored. Running through the grass, collecting leaves, stacking rocks, building “homes” with sticks and twigs, jumping in rain puddles, and making mud pies encourage creativity and open-ended thinking, which translates to increased brain development. When preschoolers can freely interact with nature, they are learning to think for themselves and to entertain themselves. Children who play in nature together also learn to compromise and work as a team for a shared goal.
9. Play in the water
Most preschoolers can’t pass up the chance to get wet. Perhaps it’s because playing in the water has so many benefits for their growing brains. Pouring and scooping water improves motor skills. Playing with water toys helps preschoolers make connections between things that sink and things that float. Like nature play, open-ended water play is particularly beneficial to the developing brain. Water tables are a simple way to introduce water play into your preschool classroom, but even a hose and some containers will help promote brain growth.
10. Build with blocks
Blocks are a classic preschool toy – for good reason. Simple yet versatile, building blocks promote motor skill development and spatial awareness. Playing with blocks also builds brain connections as preschoolers decide what to construct, how to execute their plan, and how to deal with mistakes or failures. Preschoolers will also learn the basics of engineering as they figure out how to keep their creation from toppling over.
Since most brain growth and development happens before a child starts kindergarten, this window of time is crucial. Preschool teachers have the honor of helping promote proper brain growth and development. A few simple toys and materials will make that job easy in addition to being rewarding!
