| The Importance of the ABC's | | | | hat it is based on the other children's mimed |
| Integral to any preschool curriculum is the learning | | | | actions. |
| the letters of the alphabet, not only because it's a | | | | Next, clear a large area on the floor and create a |
| crucial step towards reading but it is also among | | | | large letter H using pillows or other small objects. |
| the easiest of the preschool themes to plan for | | | | Children are to hop their way around the letter |
| and explore. The possibilities for activities, games | | | | shape. This activity could also work for the |
| and crafts are nearly endless for each letter of | | | | preschool themes of Easter or animals. |
| the alphabet, and there's also the potential of | | | | A great game for learning about the letter H is |
| incorporating other preschool themes into the | | | | the Hokey Pokey. It gets children up and moving, |
| letter-based lessons. For example, Christmas is a | | | | and is an excellent way to learn about the |
| great time to look at the letter S, for Santa, | | | | different parts of the body as well as the left |
| sleigh, and snow. | | | | side and the right side. |
| However, when teaching about letters and basic | | | | The Letter I: from Ice to Insects |
| words, remember that at the end of the day, the | | | | Most children love tactical sensations, such as the |
| most important thing is if the children enjoyed | | | | feeling of a cold ice cube in their little fingers. Now |
| themselves and had fun during the lesson, and | | | | imagine if that ice cube were made with Jello |
| any learning accumulated on top of that is an | | | | instead of just water so that it could be used as |
| excellent bonus. Raising expectations too high at | | | | a small, frozen paintbrush. |
| an early age can place an unhealthy amount of | | | | This simple craft can be made by making colored |
| pressure on a young, developing mind. | | | | ice cubes using Jello, Kool-Aid or powered |
| While the following activities and games are | | | | Tempera paint. Give each child a piece of white |
| suggested for the letters H and I, they may be | | | | paper and allow them to draw on it using the |
| modified or adapted into other preschool themes. | | | | colored ice cube. This craft works well in the |
| Hats, Hopping and the Hokey Pokey | | | | winter, or when teaching about opposites, like hot |
| Preschool children love playing dress-up and | | | | and cold. |
| pretend, which can be easily accomplished by the | | | | Finally, this craft gives children an opportunity to |
| simple act of putting on a hat. When learning | | | | really let their imaginations run wild! Using pipe |
| about the letter H, as in hat, bring in a selection of | | | | cleaners, popsicle sticks, feathers, google eyes, |
| hats associated with different occupations, such | | | | construction paper, glitter, and anything else that |
| as a cowboy hat, chef's hat, fire fighter's helmet, | | | | suits their fancy, have each child design their own |
| and a king's crown. | | | | insect. Have each child present his or her insect to |
| Have child close their eyes and put the hat on | | | | the class, pointing out its distinguishing features. |
| their head. They open their eyes as the other | | | | Using preschool themes to teach children |
| children act out the occupation of the hat. The | | | | important lessons, like the alphabet, is a great |
| child wearing the hat has to guess what type of | | | | way to organize your curriculum. |