Early Childhood Observing Ideas

To find appropriate programming ideas for children in your preschool room, you should OBSERVE the children while playing and OBSERVE what they are saying. Doing this will give you, as a an Early Childhood Educator, many different ideas for programming according to their interests in the areas you see listed below.


Sensory:
Sand, water, objects to explore, goop, flubber, pot pourri, etc.

Art:
Free flow, blankpaper, according to topic

Science:
Tools to explore with, circle experiment.

Math:
Number puzzles, books, poster, circle activities, math songs.

Dramatic Play:
Real life objects, dress up, home setting, real life settings.

Blocks:
Shelf, lego, log house toys, wooden blocks, trucks, (paper, pencils, tape, scissors - OPTIONAL)

Music:
On shelf/table, bells, tambourine, drum, triangle, music through out the day-CD's, circle activities using songs.

Free Flow Toys:
Change variety and types of toys weekly (no later than bi-weekly based on interest levels or behaviours)

Quiet Area:
Picture book of preschool class, age appropriate books, one word books, pic books, soft pillows, blankets, cuddle toys, felt stories etc.

Puzzles:
Simple puzzles ranging to more advanced based on different levels of learning, numbers, letters, familiar objects. Have a table available with lots of room.

Computer:
Educational games, learning to use the 'mouse', time limit games/timer games, 1-2 children at a time.


Toddler Programming Ideas:

For Toddler Programming ideas, you should use ONLY a couple of the above Preschooler programming ideas each day. *Otherwise it becomes too overwhelming for the Toddlers.*