The world of the preschooler is wide open and exciting. Kids this age are eager to learn and most often love to go to school. Whether you are involved with a preschool or just one preschooler, there are lots of fun ways to teach when May rolls around. Here are some preschool themes for May-
- Mother’s Day-Nobody loves their mom, like a preschooler. You can focus this theme on the first part of the month, or simply have a special Mother’s Day. Preschoolers are eager to please and will love the chance to make something special for mom, or any adult caretaker. Here are some ideas to get you started-
Books to Read:
Love You Forever
By Robert Munsch
Guess How Much I Love You
By Sam McBratney
Tea Light Holder-This would make a charming gift for Mom.
You will need:
Small Baby Food Jar
Color Tissue Paper
Glue
Paint Brush
Water
Tea Light Candle
Start by having the kids tear the tissue into small pieces and set them aside. You will then need to water down the glue and paint onto the baby food jars. The children will then apply a layer of tissue paper, onto the glue and then paint another coat of glue over the tissue paper.
My Mother Is’ Portrait-This will be a cherished keepsake by the mom’s of the preschoolers.
You will need:
8×10 Piece of Paper
Pencil
Crayons/Markers
8×10 Picture Frame
Start by having the child answer the following questions…
How tall is Mom?
How old is Mom?
How much does Mom Weigh?
What color is Mom’s hair?
What color are Mom’s eyes?
What is Mom’s favorite color?
What is Mom’s favorite food?
What is Mom’s job?
The next step is to have the child draw a picture of what they think their Mom looks like. All around the picture of Mom, the adult can write what the child wrote. Frame the picture when it is finished.
Bath Salts-This is an easy craft for preschoolers to make.
You will need:
Epson Salt
Food Coloring
Baby Food Jar or Small Container
Flavoring such as Peppermint, Vanilla or Strawberry
Fabric
Scissors
Ribbon
Start by mixing in a bowl, a small amount of Epson Salt, food coloring and the flavoring. Scoop the mixture into the baby food jar place a lid on it and you now have Bath Salts created just for Mom. To finish you can cut a small round piece of fabric that is a little bit larger then the lid, and have the child glue the fabric to the top of the baby food jar and tie a ribbon around the jar.
- Farm and animal theme-Preschoolers love animals, so this theme is sure to be a hit. If you want to combine themes, you can use these activities in conjunction with math and reading. Here are some ideas to get you started-
Field Trip-Preschool kids would be thrilled to visit a local farm. Many times these farms have special programs, for younger kids. If a visit to a private farm is not possible, then check with your community, for other resources that could be visited.
Books to Read:
Big Red Barn Board Book
by Margaret Wise Brown
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
by Doreen Cronin
Make a Farm Book!-This activity is based on the popular rhyme-“Farmer, Farmer, What do you see?”
For the total book you will need, as many pages of construction paper of your choice. This will be the main pages to the book. The preschooler will create different farm animals and they will be placed on these pages. You will need to write at the top of each page…
Farmer, Farmer, What do you see?
At the bottom of each page you will need to write…
I see a ________ looking at me. (Fill in the animal on the pages in blank)
Keep in mind that you can connect these pages many different ways either in a binder, punch holes in paper and tie back with yarn or connect with rings. This is an easy craft to combine with learning the alphabet.