The best preschool learning activities : 75 fun ideas for literacy, math, science, motor and social-emotional learning / Katie T. Christiansen.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Easy Ways to Enhance Learning & Curriculum through the Power of PlayGive little learners the foundation they need for school and life with this essential collection of activities from veteran preschool teacher Katie T. Christiansen. Using her years of experience developing curriculum, she has curated 75 easy hands-on projects centered on the most important skills children should practice between the ages of 3 and 5--from literacy, math and science to gross- and fine-motor skills and social-emotional mindfulness. Best of all, these activities require minimal preparation and use affordable, everyday items, so they're perfect for busy, budget-conscious caregivers and educators.Harness the power of learning through play with projects like the Alphabet Mystery Can, which helps children learn about letter sounds to prepare them for reading, and the Outdoor Color Changing Volcano, which is an explosive introduction to simple science concepts. The My Feelings Sensory Bottle teaches little ones to identify and talk about their different emotions, and the Rip and Snip Tray helps develop hand strength and dexterity for an easy transition to writing. With Katie's expertise and balanced approach to early childhood education, , plus tips for individualizing activities for each unique learner, this must-have resource will give you the tools to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Introduction (p. 7)
• Literacy Learning and Games (p. 9)
• Two Little Butterflies Song (p. 10)
• Story Stones (p. 13)
• Alphabet Sensory Bottle (p. 14)
• Fishing for Letter Sounds (p. 17)
• DIY Alphabet Puzzle (p. 18)
• Mini Eraser Letter Formation March (p. 21)
• Tactile Letter Cards (p. 22)
• Name Collage Book (p. 25)
• Do the Robot Syllable Dance (p. 26)
• Nursery Rhyme Bean Bag Toss (p. 29)
• I Spy Rhyming Tray (p. 30)
• Animal Alliteration Poems (p. 33)
• Alphabet Mystery Can (p. 34)
• Story Writing Wonderland (p. 37)
• High Five Blending (p. 38)
• Math Mania (p. 41)
• Touch and Feel Number Cards (p. 42)
• Muffin Tin Matching (p. 45)
• Number Aerobics (p. 45)
• Magnetic Tile Shapes (p. 49)
• Rocket Ship Duplos (p. 50)
• Musical Finger Puppet Math (p. 53)
• Abstract Shape Stamping (p. 54)
• Mixed-Up Calendar (p. 57)
• How Big Am I? (p. 58)
• Cupcake Recipe Station (p. 61)
• Ten Frame Treasure Hunt (p. 62)
• Cooperative Mini Eraser Race (p. 65)
• Captivating Card Games (p. 66)
• Caterpillar Addition Game (p. 69)
• Stimulating Science Exploration and Play (p. 71)
• Magnet Town (p. 72)
• I Spy Weather Rocks (p. 75)
• Soft as Sand Sensory Play (p. 76)
• Growing Your Senses (p. 79)
• Plant Observation Station (p. 80)
• Color Mixing Slime (p. 83)
• Whipped Cream Whimsy (p. 84)
• X-Ray in a Bag (p. 87)
• Sink, Float and Splash Sensory Bin (p. 88)
• Outdoor Color Changing Volcano (p. 91)
• Icy Freeze and Rescue (p. 92)
• Butterfly Life Cycle Model (p. 95)
• Animal Habitat Journal (p. 96)
• Simple Social-Emotional Learning Strategies (p. 99)
• Twinkle Light Hideout (p. 100)
• Mirror Self-Portrait (p. 103)
• Animal Breaths (p. 104)
• Puppet Playtime (p. 107)
• Bubble Blowing Station (p. 108)
• My Feelings Sensory Bottle (p. 111)
• Upside Down Musical Art (p. 112)
• Happy Thought Treasures (p. 115)
• Nature Yoga (p. 116)
• Slime Small World (p. 119)
• Go, Go, Gross Motor and Active Play (p. 121)
• Jungle Animal Obstacle Course (p. 122)
• Wake the Animals (p. 125)
• Ribbon Freeze Dancing (p. 126)
• Parachute Listening Games (p. 129)
• Bean Bag Basketball (p. 130)
• Balancing Act Smorgasbord (p. 133)
• Soccer Bowling (p. 134)
• Water Painting (p. 137)
• Monkey See, Monkey Do Midline Movements (p. 138)
• Pool Noodle Fencing (p. 141)
• Rolling Pin Rainbow (p. 142)
• Fine Motor Fun and Creations (p. 145)
• Lemonade Creation Station (p. 146)
• Colored Sand Writing Tray (p. 149)
• Golf Tee and Marble Balance (p. 150)
• Alligator Chomp (p. 153)
• Bottle Cap Tinkering (p. 154)
• Rip and Snip Tray (p. 157)
• Lion's Mane Paper Plate Craft (p. 158)
• Playdough Chef Station (p. 161)
• Royal Jewelry Lacing (p. 162)
• Rock Crayon Coloring (p. 164)
• Shape and Doodle Journals (p. 166)
• Rainbow Name Writing (p. 169)
• References (p. 170)
• Acknowledgments (p. 171)
• About the Author (p. 172)
• Index (p. 173)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

School Library Journal Review

Veteran preschool teacher Christiansen offers creative and engaging developmentally apt pre-literacy activities for three-to-five-year-olds. The book is divided into six color-coded sections: Literacy Learning and Games; Math Mania; Stimulating Science Exploration and Play; Simple Social-Emotional Learning Strategies; Go, Go, Gross Motor and Active Play; and Fine Motor Fun and Creations. Each opens with a brief introduction and a "Terms at a Glance" section that defines specific terminology. Materials used are mostly inexpensive, simple, and easily obtained. Activities for the designated audience are straightforwardly replicable. Each activity, there are 75, includes a "Skills" box that explains what it promotes, as well as a "Veteran Teacher Tip" to further clarify and encourage. The book is uncrowded and well designed, with excellent use of color-coding and attractive color photographs of diverse groups of children. Instructions are clear, with projects ranging from simple, such as Story Stones to teach narrative sequencing, to complex, including Touch and Feel Number Cards for number recognition and a Cooperative Mini Eraser Race for an introduction to graphing. References and an index are included. VERDICT An eminently useful title for anyone working with preschoolers looking for easily implemented pre-literacy activities.--Janice M. Del Negro

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Katie T. Christiansen is the creator of the popular children's learning website Preschool Inspirations. She has worked in the early childhood education field for 20 years and is the author of the children's picture book Wild Animal Babies. She lives near Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband and children.