Weather is such a big part of a preschoolers understanding of the world. In some preschools children dress "weather bears" in appropriate clothing, measure rain fall or snow fall, track temperatures, and create wind socks or wind chimes to help observe the wind speed. What weather activities have you observed in preschool classes? Can you find an activity on the web that you think is Developmentally Appropriate for Preschoolers.
The preschool kids go outside with their teachers and collect the leaves that have fallen unto the ground. The children make collages out of all the different colored leaves and hang them around the room. Representing the fall season.
ReplyDeleteA good project is to make leave prints with fall color paints and leaves the children have collected. In our preschool class we have also set up a tray with colorful leaves, acorns and pinecones with magnifying glasses on the science table for the children to use at playtime.
ReplyDeleteA simple idea to do with children is to take markers and color on half of a coffee filter, paint over the filter with the water, and watch the colors blend together to make a rainbow. Another idea is puffy paint (glue and shaving cream). I made puffy paint for my 5 year old nephew and he loved it and painted a whole bunch of pictures with it. Weather is all around us, so it is important to teach children about it.
ReplyDeletePuffy paint sounds fun! Do you use Elmer's glue? Put it in a squeeze bottle or use a paintbrush?
DeleteSo far some great ideas. But any idea what standards we are promoting when we plan these activities?
ReplyDeleteI believe we are promoting the following NAEYC standards:
Delete1:Promoting Child Development and Learning
4:Using Developmentally Effective Approaches to Connect with Children and Families
5: Using Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum
But to be honest, I am not sure about Standard 5 because I am not quite sure what is meant by "content knowledge"?
In the content area, science, for example, content knowledge might be knowing the characteristics of different states of matter (solid, liquid, gas). In math, content knowledge might be knowing about cardinal (1,2,3..) and ordinal (first, second, third…) numbers. Content knowledge refers to the specific knowledge that goes with a particular content area.
ReplyDeleteI think Its important for the weather to be discussed in class with children and they can also be involved with activities with the weather.
ReplyDelete