Preschool
21
Days
of
Preschool
Fun!
By Joyce Herzog
Days at home with preschool- ers can seem long and tiring, but these ideas are sure to bring a smile to your face as
your little ones jump and enjoy twenty-one fun activities.
First let’s think about what kinds of
things children of preschool age can do
independently. The youngest preschoolers
(ages 2–3) can sort, match, stack blocks
(and knock them down!), pour, fill, put
in place (large, separated puzzle pieces).
They can put things in order (from small
to large or a number of objects from 1 to
5). Why do we call them toddlers? Because they quickly toddle away. Engage
these little ones in cuddles and one-on-one play first; they’ll soon wander away
and find their own fun. Make sure there
are enticing, safe toys available for them.
Most older preschoolers (ages 3–5)
are ready for much more learning!
They’ll be developing skills such as
speaking, drawing, tracing, coloring,
copying, writing, counting, building,
jumping, riding, and cutting and pasting. They seem to absorb information
in a flash and love repeating it frequently. Let’s fill their lives with wholesome
sounds, sights, and activities.
It is important to stock your home
with supplies to pull out in a moment
to keep those little ones busy. Some
possibilities are blocks, beads, puzzles,
counters, beanbags, play dough, and
preschool books. Don’t keep all of those
things in sight all the time! Have a cup-
board that you alone can access; keep it
closed in a childproof way so that you
can get in quickly but the little ones
cannot. You may prefer to have five
to seven “daily boxes” or large, lid-
ded containers that hold a variety of
playthings. Stack them in a corner and
shuffle through them day by day. Once
a month, shuffle the contents and add a
new toy to keep the fun fresh.
