What are some fun activities for gifted preschool aged kids?
Some things I've done with my 29 mo old daughter:
1. Experimented with a tape recorder. We talked into it, clapped, patted, tapped, sang, and
then we found various kitchen utensils to make "music" into it. (We found out
the potato scrubber makes a great sawing sound when rubbed against the cheese grater.) We do
short recordings and then listen back. She loves it!
2. On a walk, we stopped at a pond and talked about wind. We felt the wind in our hair, watched
it blow leaves, saw it make ripples in the water, sway the grass, etc. She's been talking a lot
about wind ever since.
3. We recently bought a rug at Target for $20 that has a whole city street scene on it, and
we drive little matchbox cars on it and pretend we're visiting the park, etc.
4. I got this from Blues Clues: make different sized ramps for little matchbox cars and have
races.
5. I bought a pair of preschool scissors and have let her experiment with cutting construction
paper, under close supervision, of course.
6. Made labels for various things around the house (sofa, chair, t.v., etc.). At first she had
fun just pointing out the letters, then later she started recognizing the words. We
periodically tear down the labels (esp. when guests with same age kids come over!). Now it is
her job to re-hang them, trying to figure out what the word is and where it belongs by
herself.
I try to keep her working at the table as much as possible so that my 9 mo old son doesn't
"mess" up her work, and keep him busy with his own stuff. Hope those give you some
ideas. Actually, a lot of my ideas were derived from things we saw on Blue's Clues, now that
I think about it! :-) So much for originality! I've also bought some things at a teaching
supply store, and some preschool teaching books that have given me some ideas. I'm sure
they're great ideas whether you "home" preschool like I do, or are just looking
for some ways to keep your child busy.
Posted by Melody_mom, 9-15-2000
***
When my daughter was learning how to write the key seemed to be in making it fun. Here are
some ideas: Write a letter on a chalkboard and let him erase is with his finger. Let him write
on a fogged mirror. Try writing in shaving cream, the dirt, and in sand. He can also form
letters with clay. I've also seen people cut out giant letters for kids to walk on. Another
option is cutting letters out of sandpaper so he can "feel" the shape. All of these
ideas could be applied to numbers as well.
Posted by Momofhk, 9-15-2000
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