I am looking for a few new ideas for teaching preschoolers.?

Question

I teach in the 2-3 year old class, and I need some new ideas for games and activities for the month of February.

Cute bulletin board ideas would be helpful also.

Answer 1

Have the children create hearts with their hands. Dip the hand in paint and create a "V" shape with their hands, fingers pointing toward each other.  Create valenties for each other and parents.  Our two year olds celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. day by creating a wreath with their hands using different color paper. Good idea for Black History Month. Make a Valentine catipiller. Create different color hearts and have the children paste the hearts in an overlapping manner. Also a good idea when reading "The Very Hungry Catipiller"

Answer 2

for a bulletin board one year we did "Hands of Love".

We first traced each child hand on the color of paper that matched their skin color then cut it out. Then bending down the two middle fingers (so that it did the sign language or I love you) we added them to the already decorated board. The already decorated board had a larger version of the children's hands in the middle with doily shaped hearts. The parents thought it was cute and it was simple. No words were needed.

Also another year we did we a board that said " Love Bears All Things" in that each child's photo was placed in a heart shaped frame hugging a teddy bear they had brought from home.

As for games for February.....

Musical Hearts

Instead of musical chairs... laminate a couple of red hearts and place them on the floor and then start the music. When the music stops each child finds a heart, of course after each round remove a heart from the floor. Later the hearts can be used as place mats or room decore.

Valentine says.... played the same way as Simon says.

of course these are also a couple of site activities I have found great for Valentines Day....

http://www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/v...

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/...

and last but not least... this year we are making the cutest mail boxes for Valentines day... they are here....

http://www.orientaltrading.com/applicati...

http://www.orientaltrading.com/applicati...

there are two different boxes to choose from but I dont think that either come with the craft supplies needed. So it wouldnt matter which you order. Buy foamie shapes or other items to decorate them with and the kids will have a blast. Also it helps with those parents who dont want to or forget shoe boxes.

Answer 3

games work best

Answer 4

I just wanted to add something to the Musical heart suggestion.  I play the same game only each time a heart is removed the children share their hearts with others. Nobody looses that way.

Answer 5

Try  

www. perpetualpreschool.com

I am preschool teacher, and I use their site all the time.  They have monthly/holiday themed ideas, as well as other common preschool themes.  There are tons of art activities, as well as games, science, books, etc.

Answer 6

www.craftcoconuts123.com is better then www.orientaltrading.com  

craft coconuts has what you really need and prices are low.  check them out.