Here is another learning activity adapted from our “Home Preschool Curriculum” developed by Fran Wisniewski and Diane Flynn Keith for UniversalPreschool.com.
Remember, only do these learning activities if they are enjoyable for you and your child. Do not treat this as a “must do” lesson. It’s simply a fun activity that provides an opportunity to learn, while building “readiness skills” for the school or homeschool environment.
~ Building with Blocks ~
- Building with blocks helps children discover for themselves important concepts such as size, shape, number, space, weight, and height. These are all precursors to good math and science skills. Invest in a set of blocks and encourage your child to play with them. They are the ultimate educational toy and come in a variety of options including, wood blocks, Lego Duplos, Lincoln Logs and foam blocks.
- Make your own blocks. Empty cardboard boxes of different sizes and shapes. Then, tape them closed for ease of use. Use shoe boxes, milk cartons, oatmeal boxes, toothpaste cartons, etc. You can fill them with crumpled newspaper to add weight, if needed. If you want your homemade blocks to look more appealing or uniform, cover them in contact paper (you can purchase inexpensive rolls of it at building supply stores). Or, make Brown Paper Bag Blocks! Here’s how:
Materials: You will need brown paper grocery bags, newspaper, and strong tape like masking or shipping/packing tape.
Directions: Take a standard-sized paper grocery bag and lay it on a flat surface like a table or floor. Fold the top of the bag over about 6″ to 8″ and make a crease in the bag on the fold line. Then, open the bag and stuff it with individual sheets of crumpled newspapers. Then, fold the bag on the crease line to close it, and tape it shut securely. You can decorate the bag blocks or just get busy and build forts, towers, tunnels, and more!
Get innovative learning activities themed around dates of historical importance (and whimsical holidays) with “UniversalPreschool.com’s Learning Calendar!” It’s jam-packed with fun for the whole family! Get your calendar today at: http://www.universalpreschool.com/uplearning.asp
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