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Count Back Cat 1-10

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Count Back from 10 with the Count Back Cat!

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Fine motor activities for Summer Fun

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Preschoolers love to play with balls. You could plan a ball theme or a shapes theme. You could include ball activities in other themes, such as summer, ocean, or beach. You could add a little more gross motor action in some of your centers. Check out these 30 ideas for some rolling, bouncing fun in your classroom.

Activities with Balls

Gross Motor Beach Ball Game (Pre-K Pages)

Fine Motor Math Game (Pre-K Pages)

Muffin Pan Tossing Activity (Pre-K Pages)

Moon Crater Tossing Game (Pre-K Pages)

Teamwork Ball Games (Teach Preschool)

Parachute Play (Teach Preschool)

DIY Drop Box Game (Teach Preschool)

Roll the Ball Relay (Teach Preschool)

Ball and Tunnel Game (Brick by Brick)

Ball Painting (Brick by Brick)

Why Do Balls Bounce? (Science Sparks)

Bouncy Ball Art (Crayon Box Chronicles)

Color Match Ball Game (Imagination Tree)

Balls in the Circle (Feels Like Home)

Ball Games for Kids (Educators' Spin on It)

Ball Activities for Preschoolers

Balancing Felt Balls (Learning 4 Kids)

Spiky Ball and Loom Bands (Laughing Kids Learn)

Bowling and Knock Down Fun (Powerful Mothering)

Balls and Foam Mats (Powerful Mothering)

Play Dough, Golf Balls, and Tees (I Can Teach My Child)

Painting with Golf Ball (Mess for Less)

Indoor Golf Game (Craftulate)

Tennis Ball Games (Little Bins for Little Hands)

Kick the Cup Alphabet Game (Fun Learning for Kids)

Counting Croquet (Toddler Approved)

Wiffle Ball Creatures (Therapy Fun Zone)

Velcro Ball (Creative Connections for Kids)

Sort Colors into Balls (Still Playing School)

Cereal Box Ramps (Little Pinch of Perfect)

Launching Balls with a Lever (Buggy and Buddy)

And check out these ball books, too.

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Activities with Balls for Preschoolers - Pre-K Pages

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Preschoolers love to play with balls. You could plan a ball theme or a shapes theme. You could include ball activities in other themes, such as summer, ocean, or beach. You could add a little more gross motor action in some of your centers.

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Summer Fun Coloring

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Sesame Street: Boogie Woogie Piggies Alphabet

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Farm Animal Guessing Game! An Alphabet Spelling Game for Kids

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ANIMALS ON THE FARM | New Nursery Rhymes | English Songs For Kids | Nursery Rhymes TV

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Farm Animals: The  Song - English Educational Videos | Little Smart Planet

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May 11th Weekly Speech/language activities

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May 11th Weekly Speech/language activities

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Activities for the Outdoors: Going on a nature walk, playing in the sand box, making mud pies, playing with sidewalk chalk, looking for things in the sky. Identifying and labeling items and identifying and labeling functions (tree, house, car, truck, grass, dirt, swing, sky, mailbox, flower, bug, wind, or sun)

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Writing Numbers Can Be Fun!

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Writing Numbers Number Songs PINKFONG Songs for Children

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Смотреть Writing Numbers Number Songs PINKFONG Songs for Children - Pavelter2m на Dailymotion

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The Beautiful Month of May | Song of the Month | Jack Hartmann

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It's the Month of May | Calendar Song for Kids | Jack Hartmann

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Octonauts: Creatures A to Z (US Version)

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Ocean ABC | Sing Along with Baby Shark | Dance with Baby Shark | Baby Shark Official

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Turn & Learn ABCs - UNDERWATER ANIMALS! | ​​🌈 Super Simple ABCs

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Ocean Animal Song by Blippi | Nursery Rhyme Songs for Children

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ANIMALS IN THE OCEAN | New Nursery Rhymes | English Songs For Kids | Nursery Rhymes TV

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Party on the Ocean Floor l Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs

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May 4th-Weekly Speech/language activities 

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May 4th-Weekly Speech/language activities 

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Activities in the Bedroom: identifying and naming items in the bedroom. Sock toss-talk about the socks-how do they feel? What colors are they? What do we do with socks?..., Putting laundry away, making a fort with your blankets, making a treasure box of favorite toys, looking out window and discussing what you see.

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A great name/alphabet/gross motor activity!

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A fun fine motor activity and we all have plenty of TP rolls😊

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The Dance Freeze Song | Freeze Dance | Scratch Garden

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Kids vocabulary   Weather   Hows the weather   Learn English for kids   English educational video

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How to make sensory bags

Sensory bags are a fun activity to do with your baby. They are a great way to entertain your infant, help them explore their senses, and encourage tummy time for babies that dislike it.

To make a sensory bag you simply add items to a ziploc bag, suspend in hair gel or oil if you like, and seal them up with some duct tape to ensure nothing comes leaking out onto little hands.

Check out four examples of bags I made for my daughter. It should give you the basic idea of how a sensory bag is made and then you can get busy making your own creations! I made mine with items from the dollar store making it an inexpensive activity to do with your child.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of my links I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Supplies from the dollar store

I started with a trip to the dollar store. I was able to pick up all these items, everything I need to make the sensory bags for about $10. It's especially a great place for making fun seasonal bags as they always have fun holiday or season themed items in stock.

There are just a few items that you'll have to have in order to make sensory bags. The essentials are:

For fillers the sky is the limit. You can put anything you want in your bags. Just remember not to mix metal items with liquid or you'll end up with a rusty mess. Here are some filler ideas:

Craft pom poms

Water beads

Fake flowers

Glitter

Floral filler

Small brightly colored figures

Putting the sensory bags together

Fill the bags with an assortment of items and then tape them all the way around with the duct tape to give them a really good seal. Use different colored duct tape to add to the experience. I made four bags in total. I only used the hair gel in one bag.

Remember, there are 5 senses so make different kinds of bags to help your baby explore different senses and to explore them in different ways. Some of the bags I made were squishy, some were more firm. Some made fun sounds while others were quiet.

Every sight, sound, and experience is new to your baby so even a simple bag like yellow outlined one above, made with fake flowers from a lei and hair gel, will be fun and new to them.

Make sure to include your little one while you make the bags. My daughter had a great time watching me put them together and then I could hand them off to her as I finished. (Just make sure they can't reach any of the little pieces that you're using for the bags.)

How to play with sensory bags

Now you're ready to play! They can use them on their high chair, while sitting in your lap, or for something to look at during tummy time. I think they were a hit!

Her favorites are the glittery pink one and the one with the confetti type stuff because it makes a rustling sound. (I actually found this stuff on the floral aisle). Great cheap entertainment and completely customizable. Try a few out and see what your little one likes.

Tips:

Make sure you get ziploc bags that you push sealed, not the zipper kind. The zippers keep you from getting a tight seal and caused one to leak the first time I made sensory bags.

Double bagging them can help ensure a good seal and add a little extra thickness to prevent little fingernails from puncturing the bag.

I only needed about half of a large bottle of hair gel for the bag I made so only buy as much as you think you'll need.

Include your baby in the creation process. My daughter had a great time watching me make the bags.

They're sensory bags so try a variety of sounds, colors, textures for them to explore.

Don't want to run to the store? You can get Craft Supplies delivered to your door in 2 days by Amazon.

Share your creations in the comments. I'd love to see what you make! For more fun check out this edible finger paint recipe!

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Sensory bags are a fun activity to do with your baby. They are a great way to entertain your infant, help them explore their senses, and encourage tummy time for babies that dislike it.

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There are lots of ideas at this site.

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This sentence may make me sound like a complete nut job - but the summer it the perfect time to work on some task boxes. Mix yourself a big pitcher of lemonade (or margaritas? hey it is summer!), throw on the netflix, open the windows and relax with a little work task box making. It is my firm belief you can never have too many work box tasks. And although it may be tempting to 110% check out this summer - you will thank yourself for getting a few tasks made. This will be the make or break component in having a successful fall. Work boxes are essential because you have GOT to keep those kiddos busy and working while you are doing other things like - dealing with new behaviors, teaching new students the routine, showing students how to follow their schedule, training staff ... you know, just those minor things on your to do list.

I have loads of resources for Work Task Box Ideas & will share some brand spankin' new ones here too. First off, be sure to check out my Pinterest Board - Word Tasks:

Also check out my 40 Work Task Mega Pack. This resource does all of the heavy lifting for ya. It gives you a shopping list (dollar store approved), instructions for setups, and all necessary visuals for 40 awesome work tasks.

Check out these posts:

Check out these newbie ideas from my classroom & the classrooms of some other amazing teachers:

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This sentence may make me sound like a complete nut job - but the summer it the perfect time to work on some task boxes. Mix yourself a big pitcher of lemonade (or margaritas? hey it is summer!), throw on the netflix, open the windows and relax with a little work task box making.

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These look really fun.

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In the A to Z Science series for toddlers and preschoolers, L is for Listening Skills. Since developing listening skills is such an important task, I wanted to gather more ways for us to practice listening through play. Check out these listening games from around the web.

Listening Games

Start with our L is for Listening Skills post. These 3 games help kids practice making observations with their ears: a listening box, sound eggs, and a listening game that gets kids moving.

Head Outside to Practice Listening Skills

Try our Outdoor Sound Hunt Inspired by Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? Can you find the noises in the book? What other sounds might you hear outside?

Go on a Listening Walk with a visual checklist. { Teach Preschool}

Play the Listening Game with Go Explore Nature. It's a great game for sitting back and observing the sounds outside.

Following Directions Games

Do 3 Things Listening Game - practice following directions and sneak in a little clean up.

Be the teach in Teacher Says! A Following Directions and Listening Game from Coffee Cups and Crayons.

This listening activity with blocks from hands on : as we grow is brilliantly disguised as pure play.

Try this drawing game from NurtureStore that practices listening skills and giving directions.

Use the rain game to teach listening skills. { Moments a Day}

Following Directions Grid Game { Kids Activities Blog}

Play a listening game that involves Lego building. { Stories and Children}

Who's Got What? An Action Listening Game from English Teachers Everywhere. This site explains how to play the game and has recorded instructions for you to play. Pass the objects around according to the instructions. Play the game in groups of four or even by yourself.

More Great Listening Games

Where Am I? is a fun listening game that works your sense of hearing and memory. {String Keys and Melodies for Dandelion Magazine}

This animal antics listening game from The Fairy and the Frog is sure to have kids mooing as the game goes on.

Follow the Cuckoo is another fun way to practice listening skills from String Keys and Melodies for Dandelion Magazine. This game uses musical pieces and requires movement from the child.

Make listening tubes to help focus on the sounds around you. { Preschool Daze}
Do you have any listening games to share?
Connect with Inspiration Laboratories on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, or Facebook . You can also subscribe to posts by e-mail.

Linking up here.

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Listening Games | Inspiration Laboratories

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In the A to Z Science series for toddlers and preschoolers, L is for Listening Skills. Since developing listening skills is such an important task, I wanted to gather more ways for us to practice listening through play. Check out these listening games from around the web.

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Can be really helpful when waiting or for helping your child know when they are done.

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Visual Timers

Many IEP students need specially designed instruction (SDIs) that may include kinesthetic learning, or accommodations like visuals. A visual timer can help a child visualize time.

It's one thing to tell a child they have 10 minutes left before it's time to leave. Watching a big timer on the wall or watching the minutes tick down on a clock can help a child begin to feel what 10 minutes is.

I actually grew up using a visual timer all the time.

See, for a long time, I was a competitive swimmer. We just called them pace clocks.

But, other than the big block of color, a pace clock is very similar to a visual timer. That's mostly what I think of when I see students using visual timers.

What is a Visual Timer?

It's a fancy name for a clock. Just kidding! They aren't all necessarily clocks. I say that because that is what you may hear from your child's IEP team.

Usually, a fancy version of a clock if it only had a second hand. Many kids need visual timers. They serve as a sensory or visual reminder of time. What goes around, comes around, right? Analog Clocks are sexy again.

A Visual Timer is a simple accommodation. You will often see them in an , 504 accommodation for ADHD, or anyone who needs visual reinforcement.

An app or a physical timer is used to provide both a visual reminder and an auditory alarm to keep the person aware of time.

These are often used when completing a task or doing another time-sensitive or time-restricted activity.

Types of Visual Timers

There are so many options available for students. Some of the options below for timers include sound. Again, think of the child and if they need a multi-sensory approach.

If you have a child or student who would benefit from using a Visual Timer, you can pretty much find anything to meet their needs and interests.

Apps, either on a phone, device, or desktop.

Many have a sound that can be volume-adjusted or muted.

Available in a variety of colors to accommodate visual needs and preferences.

Physical Timers (as opposed to an app) can have sand, colored oil, gel, lava-lamp-type material, and other features to meet other sensory needs.

Sand timers (what our grandmas used for eggs!) are small and can be transported anywhere, requiring no electricity.

Some are strictly visual, some are strictly auditory. Many are both.

Common Uses for Visual Timers

They're used for just what they say-a visual reminder of the time. This might be used to indicate the end of playtime before clean-up begins. Or, if you asked a child to read or complete a task if they struggle with task paralysis.

Many dentists even send home egg timers with kids, so that they know exactly how long to brush their teeth. Some toothbrushes have light flashers that serve this same purpose.

The possibilities are endless.

If your child with autism or ADHD has a hyperfixation, a visual timer can be a good way to manage that.

Visual Timers for Autism

In addition to the 3 free Visual Timers above in the Amazon widget, here are a few more.

1. Visual Timer on iTunes.

2. Mr Bomb and Friends, kids love this one! Just make sure it's not too distracting.

3. Visual Countdown Timer on iTunes.

4. Kids Timer on Google Play

5. Visual Task Timer on iTunes.

6. Children's Countdown Timer on Google Play

7. Visual Timers, on iTunes.

8. Timer for Kids, on Google Play

9. Happy Kids Timer, Google Play (I like this one because it also has chores!)

Visual Timer in your IEP

Like most other resource posts, I like to add a blurb about how to get this in your IEP. Visual timers are affordable. And, I've shown you several free ones. So, cost shouldn't be an issue.

Still, it amazes me what some people will dig their heels in about and not want to add to an IEP.

I can hear it now. "Well if we let Jacob use his tablet during class for the visual timer, I'll have to let all the kids use tablets."

Um, no you won't. Jacob is a child identified with a disability who needs support, services, and accommodations specific to him.

Anyway, if it's a problem, do what we always do: Put the request in writing, follow up, and ask for a PWN. Good luck.

When you purchase items from Amazon from this site, I receive a small percentage at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting A Day in our Shoes.

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10 Best Visual Timers for Kids with Autism or ADHD

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Many IEP students need specially designed instruction (SDIs) that may include kinesthetic learning , or accommodations like visuals. A visual timer can help a child visualize time. It's one thing to tell a child they have 10 minutes left before it's time to leave.

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Mickey Mouse Clubhouse - Kids Learn Numbers & Counting - Disney Junior Game For Kids

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April 27th, Weekly Speech/language activity 

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April 27th, Weekly Speech/language activity 

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This works on you child's receptive(understanding) and expressive(labeling) skills.

Kitchen Activity: Identifying and labeling items in kitchen and identifying and telling the function. Ex: stove, sink, fridge, rug, light, pan, spoon, dishwasher, plate, salt pepper, table, chair, fan, juice, milk, banana, etc...

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Phonics - Learn to Read | Earth Day Special | Alphablocks

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Earth Day Activities with Marvie (Sesame Studios)

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Rock Out And Learn About The Alphabet | Phonics & ABC Song for Kids | Jack Hartmann

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Brain Breaks | Calendar Song | Springtime Dance | Jack Hartmann

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How to Recycle ? ♻️ SONGS FOR KIDS | Lingokids

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Recycle | Earth Day Song for Kids | Jack Hartmann

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Sesame Street: Use it Again, Recycling Song

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Sesame Street: Time to Wash Your Hands PSA | When to Wash Your Hands

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An excellent video to give you ideas for task boxes. If you need materials please don't hesitate to let us know. We will work with you to make these or we can make some for you!

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Preschool Task Boxes for Early Learning and Basic Skills Practice

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Shapes Song for Kids, Children, and Shapes for Baby | Patty Shukla | Learn shapes for kindergarten

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You can use any container and any objects. It really helps to structure it this way for the child to be more independent.

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We had another good week of Tot School! Super Tot's attention span was rather short this week, but we did enjoy several activities, and he even wanted to do them in the evenings and other times throughout each day. Here are some of the activities we did this week:

Placing bears into an empty baby wipe container.

We use our empty baby wipe container almost every week. It reminds me of being a kid and playing with the empty boxes on Christmas, rather than the toys that came in them, or the empty gift wrap tubes (my kids did that last week). What a simple item, trash or recycling, really, that has become such a valuable tool!

Transferring spiky balls using a spoon/tongs.

I found this cute box (it is a drawer organizer) in Target's Dollar Spot and thought it would be perfect for transferring and sorting. I also found a pack of 5 spiky balls in the Dollar Spot the same day. I had the cute spoon from a little dishes set and the tongs are from Ikea.

Super Tot still has a hard time using the tongs correctly, but he loves trying. We'll keep working on it!

Super Tot has a very hard time using a lace, but we continue to try.

I always encourage him to try with the lace first, but then he uses a little dowel (it's actually a pointer) and "laces" the beads onto it fairly easily. It is still great fine motor work, so I'm happy for him to build his confidence using the dowel.

More lacing practice with buttons.

I thought the buttons might be a little easier to use with the lace. They were a "little" easier, but still quite a challenge.

Transferring wooden cubes into empty soda bottle.

This one was thrown together at the last minute. Super Tot wanted to use the cubes and I didn't have anything ready for him to do with them. I opened my storage closet and saw a box of empty containers. This one was inside, so I got it out. The cubes just barely fit, so I thought it might be good for him.

To see what other Tot moms are doing, click here!

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We had another good week of Tot School! Super Tot's attention span was rather short this week, but we did enjoy several activities, and he even wanted to do them in the evenings and other times throughout each day. Here are some of the activities we did this week: Placing bears into an empty baby wipe container.

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Love this book❤️

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Official Animated Film | Made For Kids | Eric Carle Book

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I am not recommending the online course - I don't really know anything about it.

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4 Strategies for Giving Instructions to Autism Spectrum & ADD Kids Without Verbally Overloading Them

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Awesome for following directions also😊

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Homemade paint recipe with spices | Homemade paint, Homemade spices, Sensory art

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A super easy to make homemade paint recipe with spices for extra sensory messy play for kids.

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SENSORY VIDEO

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Autism Sensory Therapy Magic Meltdown Remedy™ Second Edition

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Pattan Autism Initiative Actions videos - YouTube

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Very helpful video

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Autism: how anxiety affects everything - Sarah Hendrickx

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Flower name practice

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Spring is in full bloom here in Texas and what better way to celebrate this than with this fun Flower Names- Name Building Practice Printable. Your students (or child) will have so much fun building their names with this fun, free printable.

What you get with the Flower Names - Name Building Practice

This printable comes with two editable pages and includes everything that you'll need to complete the activity:

Main flower parts

6 blank petals to add the letters for the name

Getting Flower Names - Name Building Practice Printable Ready

To edit this resource, you will need to download the KG font used ( KG Red Hands). Next, you will open the document with Adobe Acrobat. You will first type out the name of your student (or child) in the highlighted space on the flower. Then you will spell out that name on the petals, with one letter per petal.

If you have a student that has less than six, leave the remainder blank so the petals can fill the entire flower. If they have more than seven, they can have the petals close together so that all letters can fit!

Using Flower Names - Name Building Practice Printable

Each student will have their own set of Flower Names. You can easily store these in a ziploc baggie so that students can better keep track of all the pieces.

Students will first look at their name on the flower. This will be the perfect guide for helping little learners practice building their name.

Students will then pick a petal, one at a time, and build their name.

If your students are older , you can leave the flower blank and students can build their name on their own. You could also leave everything blank and have students write the letters on the petals, where they can then build their Flower Names without any guidance at all.
Need more spring ideas?
Want more flower themed activities?

If you love what you see, then you will LOVE this Flowers Initial Sound Match-Up?

You can also SAVE BIG with our Initial Sound and Number Match-Up Mega {Growing} Bundle. Grab it today before the price goes up!

PLUS, if you buy the bundle, you will get a FREE ABC Match-Up for all twelve themes. How awesome is that?!

Download Your Flower Names - Name Building Practice Printable Below!

Can you not find a resource that you would LOVE to have for your classroom? Contact me and I would be happy to make it for you.

Click the picture below to download. You will immediately be redirected to the freebie.

I hope that you and your students enjoy Flower Names to use in your classroom this year! Are you looking for more spring ideas, activities, and printables to do at home or in the classroom? If so don't miss out on all of our spring Lessons!

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Flower Names - Name Building Practice Printable

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Spring is in full bloom here in Texas and what better way to celebrate this than with this fun Flower Names- Name Building Practice Printable. Your students (or child) will have so much fun building their names with this fun, free printable.

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Counting games

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Here's a counting math game for kids perfect for practicing one-to-one correspondence. It's super easy to make and lots of fun for the kids!

Follow our Math for Kids Pinterest board!

Theo, my preschooler, has been showing a huge interest in counting! He loves counting orally to ten, and I'll often overhear him trying to count different groups of items in his picture books.

I decided to build on his interest in counting by creating a simple math game that's perfect for practicing one to one correspondence. (This post contains affiliate links.)

Counting Math Game for Kids: Roll & Count

This game is super simple to set up. You'll only need to gather a few materials and then you're ready to play either in groups, pairs, or even on your own!

Materials for Math Game

Small items to count

Paper or foam sheets to mark the playing area

Small bowls or cups

Setting up the Math Game

Start by setting up your playing area.

Use foam craft sheets to mark each child's space. (I love that the foam muffles the noise of hard items on the table, but you can also use sheets of paper.)

Place a bowl for each child next to the playing space, as well as a die.

Give each child 20 small items for counting. (We started off using small glass gems, but you can use just about anything- beans, buttons, pennies, etc.)

How to Play Roll and Count

The object of the game is to be the first person to get all your items in your bowl.

The first player rolls the die and places that many of his/her items in the bowl. Then the second player does the same thing. Play continues back and forth until one person gets all of his/her items in the bowl!

Variations

- Children can also play this on their own. Theo had lots of fun just rolling the die and counting his gems by himself!

- The game could also be played cooperatively by having a pair of children share one set of materials.

- Change up the materials to give the game a new twist! We later played the game using magnetic wands and chips. The new materials added a whole new element of fun to the game!

Even Lucy couldn't resist joining the game!

-Think about the dice you are using. Theo is still practicing one to one correspondence using small numbers so I made him a die with only the numbers 1-3 using a wooden block and a Sharpie. A die with dots representing the numbers is more challenging for a child since the child has to first count the number of dots on the die and then count out items. Be sure to use dice that fit your child's learning level.

- Do not use small items that can be choking hazards around children who are still mouthing items.

Find more Math activities in our ebook! Learn more about it here, or buy it now here!

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Counting Math Game for Kids - Buggy and Buddy

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Here's a counting math game for kids perfect for practicing one-to-one correspondence. It's super easy to make and lots of fun for the kids! Theo, my preschooler, has been showing a huge interest in counting! He loves counting orally to ten, and I'll often overhear him trying to count different groups of items in his picture books.

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Choose a book that's age-appropriate for your child. Read it to them. While you are reading, have them point to pictures or actions that are happening in the picture. For example, "Touch the …, Show me...., Point to the …….. ." This works on their receptive skills or understanding what you are saying. Then, ask them, "What is that?", What are they doing?" ,"What do you think will happen next?", "Who is that?", "Why are...?". This works on expressive skills or how they use their words while talking. Happy reading!!!

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Practice Name Writing in 12 Fun Ways for Preschoolers

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Give your preschooler a little boost in school with easy and fun ways to practice name writing! They'll be ready to go for the first day of school!

One of the first things your preschooler will learn is how to spell and recognize their own name. Your little learner will be discovering how to spell it.

And that means writing it down.

Instead of using a name writing practice sheet or worksheet, add a little bit of fun to name writing practice.

Hands-on writing is much more exciting for preschoolers than putting pen to paper and writing the same thing over and over again.

Plus, preschoolers might not be ready to grip the pencil and be able to write in this way yet.

And that's okay.

Okay, quick disclaimer, I know that just sounded like I know what I'm talking about, and kind of sounds like it's from a teacher's perspective, but it's not.

I'm a parent, not a teacher. I never have been a teacher.

This is just information that I've gathered through experience and through researching for many years on my own.

Practice Name Writing in 12 Fun Ways for Preschoolers

Making name writing practice a hands-on experience can be so much more meaningful.

Over the years, I've done many of these in some shape or form. I hope you enjoy these 12 ways that kids can practice name writing.

Best of all, you can use these ideas at home or school. It will make learning fun for them without adding pressure!

Ways for Preschoolers to Practice Name Writing:

1. Highlighters are awesome for tracing anything! Add in glue and yarn and it's a hands-on experience, or triple the name tracing fun!

2. Buggy and Buddy loves to rainbow write their names! Writing their name over and over again in different colors to make a rainbow. Make it big and fun!

3. Another twist on rainbow writing is rainbow name painting from NurtureStore! Paint over and over in different colors!

4. Discover Explore Learn traces letters with paint and Q-tips, put this to their name and the kids will love it!

5. Jen's OT for Kids uses glitter glue to practice name writing! (Get glitter glue here, affiliate link)

6. Practice writing their name on the chalkboard, but with water to erase it away!

7. Make a sensory bag to practice pre-writing skills to write the letters of their name (from Play at Home Mom)

8. Fingerpaint their name! This idea from Creative Tots is a great one for kids struggling to grip a pencil yet.

9. Practice writing their name in a salt sensory tray! Great idea from Bounce Back Parenting. No salt? Try flour!

10. Get out the watercolors and trace the letters of their name with a paintbrush! This is a pretty one from Play to Learn Preschool!

11. Teach Preschool has a fun name writing game to do on the whiteboard.

12. When all else fails, break out a can of shaving cream. This idea from Gift of Curiosity always wins! Write their name in a tray!

12 Ways to Practice Name Writing
Not quite ready to practice name writing yet? Try some of these name activities to start recognizing and spelling their name first.

What are your favorite ways to help your child practice name writing?

These affiliate products are non-worksheet ways for kids to practice writing their name.

Here are 10 more ways to prepare your little ones for school (that have nothing to do with academics!), from TheSaltyMamas.com.

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Not Interested in Learning to Write Their Name? Try These.

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Give your preschooler a little boost in school with easy and fun ways to practice name writing! They'll be ready to go for the first day of school! One of the first things your preschooler will learn is how to spell and recognize their own name.

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Sensory Bins - Great fun

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Learn how to make the best sensory bins to entertain and teach your child, and to facilitate creative thinking and fine-motor development.
Some of the hooligans, now 8, 9 and 10 years old still talk about the sensory bins they loved best during their early years here in my daycare. Those bins made such an impression that the kids still recall the feelings they had exploring the bin, the exciting discoveries they made, and um... how much they smelled like shaving cream for the rest of the day, even though it was more than half a life-time ago for them.

I know what some of you are thinking...

" No way! My kid would make a huge mess with a bin of rice or corn kernels", or "Are you crazy? My toddler would just want to eat everything in the bin!".

To minimize the mess:

First of all, if you're worried about the mess, put a tablecloth, sheet or towel under your sensory bin. That way, you can tip spills back into the bin when your child finishes playing. Alternatively, your kid can play with their sensory bin outdoors where messes won't matter.

Give clear instructions:

Secondly, give your child clear instructions for playing with the bin. Explain that the contents are not to be eaten or tossed around. Supervise the play to ensure things don't get out of hand, and you'll find that the joy and the developmental benefits that a sensory bin provides will outweigh any mess.

A world of discovery in a box

A great sensory bin is like a world of discovery in a box. It encourages open-ended play and provides endless opportunities for experimenting and learning.

Today, I'm sharing some tips and suggestions, and some examples of our favourite bins to help you create the very best sensory bins for your children and students.

In this post, we'll discuss:

The Benefits of a Sensory Bin

Good Containers for Sensory Bins

Suggested Themes (with Photo Examples) to Get You Started

Base Materials to Use in a Snsory Bin

Interesting Items to Put in a Sensory Bin

Good Tools and Instruments for Sensory Bin Play

What are the benefits of a sensory bin?

There are many benefits to playing with sensory bins. For starters, our ability to learn and retain new knowledge and information is enhanced when multiple senses are engaged. This is why sensory bins are so often recommended for play and learning.

A sensory bin will also:

encourage critical thinking - a child will problem-solve, make observations and conclusions as he scoops, pours and measures

foster imagination - your child may pretend to be a baker or a scientist with the instruments you've provided.

strengthen fine-motor skills as your child manipulates tweezers and tongs and other small items in the bin

build language skills and introduce new vocabulary when new and unfamiliar items are used in the bin

be a wonderful addition to your curriculum as you can make a bin for almost any theme at all.

provide hours of play and learning.

Before you make your sensory bin, decide on:

what kind of container to use for your sensory bin

a theme for your sensory bin

what to use as a base for your sensory bin

toys/materials to fill your bin with

tools and instruments to provide with your sensory bin

I'm going to talk about all of those things, and I'll share photos of many of the popular sensory bins that I've made for the hooligans here in my home daycare.

Feel free to duplicate them in your home, daycare or preschool classroom.

How to Make a Sensory Bin:

Choose a container:

The size of the container you choose for your sensory bin will depend on how many children will be playing with it.

For a small sensory bin:

For one or two children, these work well:

a shallow cardboard box

a foil roasting pan

a small baking dish

a shallow Tupperware container

dish tub

For travel and on the go:

If you want to make a sensory bin to take with you when travelling or visiting, choose a container with a lid.

Here are some examples of small containers I've used for our sensory bins:
A small baking dish serves as a tiny ocean A construction site sensory bin in a foil roasting pan
For a larger sensory bin:
A dinosaur small world in a dollar store plastic saucer
For 2 or more children, you'll want a larger container so the kids can gather around it comfortably. These work well:

a new, un-used litter box

large, shallow cardboard box

shallow storage container

Children gather around a new litter box filled with cloud dough
Choose a theme:
A shallow storage container makes a great sensory bin
For the theme of your bin, choose something that your child is passionate about. You can always opt for a theme that is new to your child too, as that will offer lots of opportunity for learning. Dinosaurs, farm, ocean, and construction themes are always popular here.
Construction Sensory Bin in a cardboard box
Holiday themes are great for sensory bins too. I've made some great Valentines, Christmas and Halloween bins for the hooligans.
Deep Blue Sea Sensory Bin
Sometimes I choose a popular trend for the theme of our sensory bin. For example, our " Frozen" sensory bin and our Polly Pocket Pool Party were both very popular with the hooligans.
Valentines Sensory Bin
I scour the toy room and my craft cupboards to find the items for our sensory bins. Animals, vehicles, characters and small accessories are always great. The dollar store and thrift shops are great places to find interesting items too.
"Frozen" Sensory Bin with White Rice, Cotton Balls and Plastic Gems
It's also fun to make sensory bins to match the season.
Polly Pocket Pool Party Water Bin
Choose a base material for your sensory bin:

For your sensory bin base, items and substances that are interesting to look at and touch. Textured items that make a nice sound when you run your fingers through them are wonderful.

Rice and dry pasta are two bases that I use often in my sensory bins. Sometimes I leave it in its natural state, and sometimes I colour it. See how to dye rice here, and see how to dye past a here.

Suggested base materials:

Coffee grounds make an excellent base for a construction site bin.

Waterbeads are amazing in a water bin or shaving cream bin, or on their own in a shallow basin with toys hidden among them.
Sensory Play with Corn Kernels and Chestnuts
Items to put in a sensory bin:
Snow Sensory Bin with Little Tykes Characters and Vehicles
To make your sensory bin intriguing, add lots of small, interesting items. Along with little toys and accessories, I often incorporate natural materials into our sensory bins because their colours, shapes and scents and textures are wonderful to explore, and they help children to connect with nature.
Sensory Bin with Shaving Cream and Glitter
Some of my favourite natural materials for sensory bins are:

Other items that add interest:

Add tools and instruments:

beads

buttons

dollar store gemstones

artificial flowers/fruit/vegetables

ribbons

pom poms

small wooden blocks

foam shapes

magnetic letters

cotton balls

fabric scraps

magnetic letters

In a construction bin or a farm or ocean bin, you may not want to add tools and instruments, because the vehicles and animals may be enough, but for more experimental bins, your child will require them to examine and explore the bin's contents. Some of my favourite tools and instruments play to include in a sensory bin are:
I Spy Sensory Bin with Coloured Rice and Random Small Items
These tools and instruments are all great for strengthening

fine-motor skills, and coordination.

Adding an assortment of scoops, tongs, small jars and containers will take your sensory bin to a new level as children pour, sort and sift the contents of the bin!

The best thing about a sensory bin is the endless entertainment, skill-development and learning it provides. The next best thing, is that you can create countless bins using items that you already have on hand.

You know what that means... hours of good, old-fashioned play without spending a dime!

Get my latest e-book

40 hands-on, learning activities for kids ages 3-8. Recipes, experiments, art projects, printables and play ideas with links to 80 activities not featured in the book.
Download your copy today for just 9.99

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How to Make a Sensory Bin: Everything You Need to Know - Happy Hooligans

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Learn how to make the best sensory bins to entertain and teach your child, and to facilitate creative thinking and fine-motor development. Some of the hooligans, now 8, 9 and 10 years old still talk about the sensory bins they loved best during their early years here in my daycare.

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This app is 14.99 but there are others that are less expensive but work similarly.

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Fun way to play with Legos!

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Aug 7, 2015 - Lego learning games - exploring Lego and play dough. This is a great activity for sensory play, imaginative play, letter recognition and sight words. This would be great to use in an autism classroom while learning long vowel sounds with silent e

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Balance Bingo

Try this fun game with your child to challenge his/her balance skills!

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Pump Up the Pattern | Fun Exercise Song for Kids | Jack Hartmann

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The Patterns Practice Song | Math Songs | Scratch Garden

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Clapping Machine is a great brain breaks song engaging kids with clapping patterns | Jack Hartmann

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Learn Patterns and Colors Children's Song | Green Orange Shapes Patterns| Patty Shukla Kids Patterns

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Exercise and Learn the Colors of the Rainbow | Color Song for Kids | Jack Hartmann

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Color Me Spring Song | Marvie's Pick (Sesame Studios)

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Sorting

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Early Learner

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My Wallaby Won't Use His Words! Social Skills songs for kids, learning songs for kids from PlayKids

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If I Were a Butterfly | Bug Songs | Pinkfong Songs for Children

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Baby Shark - Pinkfong Kids’ Songs & Stories

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Hey, Ladybug | Bug Songs | Pinkfong Songs for Children

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Baby Shark - Pinkfong Kids’ Songs & Stories

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Bug'n Roll | Bug Songs | Pinkfong Songs for Children

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Busy Beavers - Kids Learn ABCs 123s & More

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The Calendar Song - Kids + Children Learn English Songs

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Learn Months of the Year Song for Children | 12 Months of the Year | Calendar song with Patty Shukla

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Learn Letter A | Turn And Learn ABCs | ​​🌈 Super Simple ABCs

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Visit www.treeschoolers.com for videos and free activity guides!

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Name the Shape Game  | Shape Review Game | Jack Hartmann

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Sing to “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

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Read those favorite books over and over💙❤️

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April 13th: Weekly Speech/language activities

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April 13th: Weekly Speech/language activities

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Have some left over Easter eggs? Here is a simple activity that you have probably already been doing! Each day chose a spatial concept to work on: under, on, in, behind, beside. Focus on that spatial concept when hiding eggs. For example: put them all "under" something. 1. Ask your child: "Find the egg that is under the chair," etc. 2. Then ask them, "Where is the egg?" "Under the chair". See? You are working on their receptive and expressive language at the same time!! Don't worry, if you have already thrown anyway your eggs, you can use anything to "hide". Suggestions: balls, blocks, dolls, toys... Have a great week!!

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A fun way to work on concepts also!

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Play is important!

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READ!

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A fun color and gross motor activity

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10 Ways to Help Children Master Name Writing @ Home

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What's in a Name?

Name writing is one of the most important things a teacher can pass on to a Pre-K student. There are many different tools, art mediums, and sensory experiences to practice this important kindergarten readiness skill. It doesn't happen overnight, but with practice each day, most students leave preschool writing their names.

Rainbow Name Writing

One easy way to help students practice is rainbow name writing. Each student has a sentence strip with his name written on it. The student uses markers to trace each letter, over and over again, to make a "Rainbow Name." When the name is finished, the teacher can tape the strip together to make a name hat!
Bingo Daubers
Just because a student hasn't yet mastered a pincer grasp doesn't mean they can't start practicing name writing. Bingo markers are an easy way for students to paint their names with dots. This helps them get a feel for the letter shapes and builds letter recognition.

Dry Erase Boards

An economical way to practice writing is on dry erase boards. Supply a set of class names (written on name plates) handy so that the students can copy from them. Students will often practice writing the names of their classmates as well as their own!

It is important that teachers model the letters for students. In this picture, the teacher wrote the letter and then the student practiced by copying it.

This student was able to copy his entire name from the model. (Colin) It is quite typical for letters to not be in order, and that's ok.

Some students are not quite ready to copy their names or even letters. Teachers can support these students by writing their name and placing it in a page protector. The student then traces the letters with a dry erase marker. Sometimes teachers also need to add a mark (in this case, star stickers) to show the student where to start each letter.
Water Colors
Students love to use art supplies to practice name writing. Children can trace their names with water colors, and still see the lines underneath.

Sensory Tray Name Writing

Sensory trays, sucn as rice, salt, flour, or sand are terrific ways for preschoolers to practice writing their names. The extra benefit of adding sensory learning uses more of their brains and helps cement the letters that they are learning.

Shaving Cream

Writing letters in shaving cream (or whipped cream) is another great sensory-rich way to practice. It is messy, so be sure to have students wear protective smocks. Even if they are not creating letters, the movements, such as the swirls pictured below, are excellent pre-writing practice.

Magna-Doodles
A great addition to a writing center is a set of Doodle Pro writing toys. This picture captures the very first time that Lucy wrote her name. She was so proud of this accomplishment!

It is crucial that preschoolers write for real purposes. Students can create waiting lists in class any time there is a line of childrenwho want to use a toy, center, or bike. Even if the name writing isn't very legible, students can identify their own name.

Students "sign in" to be seen by the doctor at our hospital dramatic play center. Putting the sign-in sheet inside a clear page protector and using a dry erase marker helps extend supplies.

Writing at Home

It's also important to make sure parents realize the importance of having writing materials (pencils, crayons, pens and markers) easily accessible for their children at home. A small pack of writing materials - such as some mini notepads and silly pens - makes a great gift as well!

Many people have asked about our decision to use capital letters with some students. This post will give you a glimpse into our reasoning:

Print these EDITABLE NAME PRACTICE PAGES for your students who are learning how to write their names. You just type in your class list and print customized, differentiated name worksheets for each child. So quick and simple!

Have fun playing and learning with your children today!
Be sure to follow Play to Learn Preschool on Pinterest to see all of our ideas:

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10 Ways to Help Children Master Name Writing - Play to Learn

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Name writing is one of the most important things a teacher can pass on to a Pre-K student. There are many different tools, art mediums, and sensory experiences to practice this important kindergarten readiness skill. It doesn't happen overnight, but with practice each day, most students leave preschool writing their names.

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Paper handprint Bunnies

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These handprint bunnies are so simple to make and they are SO CUTE! You can make this bunny craft using construction paper, coloured printer paper, or even plain white paper if you're in a pinch.
Handprint Bunny Craft

This is such a simple Easter craft that you can make with the kids - and the best part is that you probably have everything you need at home already!

Just grab some paper, scissors and a few pens, markers or pencil crayons - that's all you need! This craft is really simple, super fast, and completely adorable when you're done!

Video Tutorial: How to Make Paper Handprint Bunnies:
*Note: Scroll down for the step-by-step photo tutorial.
Looking for even more simple crafts you can make using construction paper? Here's a few of our favourites:

Here's What You'll Need:

Here's a list of affiliate links that will take you to products on Amazon that are similar to the supplies we used to make this craft:

This bunny craft is fantastic if you don't have many craft supplies on hand! We used construction paper, but any paper will work.

How to Draw a Bunny Face

You can give your Easter bunny any face you like! Here are the five faces I came up with (see the photo below).

Think of your favourite emojis when you're drawing the faces. You can make happy, surprised, excited, sad, angry or confused bunnies. You could even add heart eyes.

I like using a black gel pen to draw the faces, but any pen, pencil crayon or marker will work.

How to Make Paper Handprint Bunnies

These paper bunnies are a fun craft for kids of all ages. Most kids aged 6 and up should be able to make this bunny craft all by themselves. (Toddlers and preschoolers will likely need some help.)

Paper Handprint Bunny Craft

The crazy part, was that after I added the marker to the bunny ears, both ears curled upwards on their own as the marker dried. I didn't plan it at all, but I love how the curved ears add character!

My kids had the most fun drawing the faces on the bunnies. I love seeing how creative they are! My 7 year old even added some creative little paws on her rabbit.

After my kids made their handprint bunnies, they played with them for a solid hour. They sat on the stairs and came up with a fun creative world for each of their little bunnies.

These handprint bunnies are SO CUTE and they're so easy to make!! This is such a simple construction paper craft and a great craft for kids. Trace a handprint and make these bunnies for Easter or anytime. Such a fun activity for bored kids that needs barely any supplies!

Here's even more construction paper craft ideas:

Check out our book Low-Mess Crafts for Kids for 72 fun and simple craft ideas for kids! The projects are fun, easy and most importantly low-mess, so the clean up is simple!

Where to buy:

You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books- A- Million | Indiebound | Indigo | Amazon Canada

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Handprint Bunnies | Paper Handprint Bunny Craft - One Little Project

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These handprint bunnies are so simple to make and they are SO CUTE! You can make this bunny craft using construction paper, coloured printer paper, or even plain white paper if you're in a pinch.

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Point to the picture, name the item and go find. Make sure you know were a few are at in the house! LOL When you find the item name it for your child. Praise and reinforce with a small edible especially if your child is not wanting to participate. Its ok if you can't find the item just say something like, "Uh, oh! Its lost," Move on to the other items. above all have fun!

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Week of April 6, 2020
Super video!