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If art is all about process, why limit creativity by limiting the tools? Add an innovative twist to your next painting project by omitting the store-bought paintbrushes.Read More: Community Play Things 

Whether they're learning to read, write or exploring their creative abilities, preschoolers need encouragement to realize their accomplishments are worth celebrating.

A thematic unit on families is a great way to begin the year with a new class of preschoolers. A family unit supports children in countless ways, including easing their transitions, helping them learn about the other boys and girls in the class, and strengthening their self-awareness. Teachers can draw on these books to explore the rich diversity of families with preschoolers.Read more: NAEYC

Skill Based, Phonemic* Approach to Literacy How to Use Art to Enhance a Skills Based, Phonemics Approach to Literacy Verbalize frequently as you demonstrate materials. Engage children in art process by using a rich vocabulary as you describe it. Talk about directionality, or left to right, as you demonstrate materials. Talk about position, or top to bottom, as you demonstrate materials. Demonstrate specific skills in using art materials and art tools – teach technique. Show steps and progression in use…

In the history of human development, oral language—conversation, poetry, story-telling, and song—arose long before written language. In children we see the same pattern of language development. Children first learn to listen, to speak, to sing, to enjoy rhymes, stories, and books before they can read or write. What we often forget is that this foundation in oral language is a critical step in developing literacy.Read more: Community Play Things

Any one of these family activity ideas will welcome children and families into your program and set the stage for family involvement. Teachers can also adapt these activities to keep families engaged throughout the year.Read more: NAEYC

Chalk is a simple and versatile tool you can use to teach children a variety of concepts in math, science, literacy, and other subjects. From having children write their names in chalk on the sidewalk to playing a game of hopscotch math, the learning possibilities are endless! Chalk activities are perfect for the classroom or for families to do together at home during the summer months.Read more: Kaplan Early Learning

Many daily activities in the classroom require fine motor skills such as eating, writing and playing with toys. As your students develop these skills, they’ll gain a sense of independence and realize they can take on many new tasks on their own. As a preschool teacher, here’s how you can support the development of your students’ fine motor skills:  Encourage Finger Painting Activities like finger painting allow children to experiment with hand and finger movements and learn about the feel…

Concept of word refers to the ability of a reader to match spoken words to written words while reading. Students with a concept of word understand that each word is separate, and that words are separated by a space within each sentence. Using strategies to build concept of word in the classroom can also strengthen a child's developing awareness of the individual sounds within words.Read More: Reading Rockets 

At the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, where I work, teachers take children to museums and other sites around Washington, DC, almost daily. But your program doesn’t have to be located next to a museum—there are rich learning opportunities in every community.  Read More: NAEYC