August provides a bounty of ideas, for lots of preschool learning and fun! Whether you are trying to find classroom ideas, or just want to engage with your preschooler, there are themes that will make for fun and educational activities, all at the same time. Preschoolers are highly eager to learn about the world around them. Adult caretakers (parents, teachers, sitters etc.) can use these ideas to introduce the preschoolers in their life to new ideas and learning. Here are preschool themes for August-
- Alphabet Learning-August can be the perfect time to introduce young preschoolers to the alphabet, or help those older preschoolers, who will be moving on to kindergarten, to review. There is virtually not limits on what you can do, but here are some ideas to get you started.
Books to Read:
The Alphabet Room
By Sara Pinto
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
By Bill Martin, John Archambault, Lois Ehlert
Alphabet Scrapbook-This can be done on one day or as throughout the theme as you learn each letter.
You will need:
1 Subject notebook
Old Magazines
Blunt Child Scissors or Mommy Size Scissors
Glue Stick
Marker
Have the child decorate the front of their alphabet scrapbook. Use a marker to label each page of the scrapbook with an alphabet letter. Have the child look in the old magazines for pictures that go with each letter. The child can then cut them out. Encourage them to find multiple pictures for each letter. Have the child glue them on to the correct page.
Finger Print Alphabet Flash Cards-This will be a keepsake long after your child has learned his or her letters.
You will need:
Card Stock
Pencil
Washable Stamp Pad
Start by writing each letter of the alphabet on a piece of card stock using the pencil. Then have the child use their finger or thumb to make prints on the lines of the letter. Once they are done the child will have a complete set of flash cards that they created themselves.
Edible Alphabet-This is a great activity for treat time!
You will need:
Alphabet Cereal
Softened Cream Cheese or Vanilla frosting
Graham Cracker
Plastic Knife or Craft Stick
Have the child spread cream cheese over the graham cracker, using the plastic knife or a craft stick. Next offer the child a bowl alphabet cereal and ask them to find one of the following: the letter of the day, one of each letter in the alphabet or the letters in their name. When the child finds them they can place them on the graham cracker.
- Back to School-For many preschoolers this will be the time they are finishing up preschool and moving on to kindergarten. This can be a good time to review bus safety (if applicable), discuss what will happen in kindergarten and even talk about playground rules.
Books to Read:
The Night before Kindergarten
By Natasha Wing
Kindergarten Rocks
By Katie Davis
Field Trip-It’s an obvious choice, but a field trip to visit the elementary school that the preschoolers will attend is a great choice. Call ahead to let the school know you would like a tour and you may find that they have helpful staff on hand, to guide you and your preschoolers around.
Mary had a little lamb-This easy to do craft goes along with the nursery rhyme.
You will need:
Craft paper
Markers
Cotton balls
Glue
Start by having the child trace their hand print and cut it out. This can also work if you want them to do hand print with paint. Then have the child glue the cotton balls directly onto the palm area and draw eyes and a mouth on the thumb area.