Preschool Games and Activities

First of all before we get to know about some innovative and educational preschool games and activities, we should be completely aware of what preschools exactly are. So let us get started with the basics:

What are Preschools?

Preschools are usually seen as a fun learning experience where toddlers pick up their basic learning skills, which help them to be better, prepared for the statutory education ahead. A preschool is also known as Kindergarten, play school or nursery school, which provide a pre-school curriculum, which provides basic learning skills to children between the ages of two to five. Thus, preschool education is the provision of education for children before they begin statutory education in the first grade.

What are the Goals and Objectives of Preschool-Education?

The preschools aim to facilitate the overall development of the children with respect to their personal skills, social skills, and overall cognitive development. It focuses on getting the children to communicate better with the other children as well as adults around them. Preschool education also focuses on unleashing children’s creativity and encourages expression of thoughts and ideas through speaking and drawing as well. Preschools also focus on the physical development of children and usually include simple and easy exercises and outdoor games to ensure the physical fitness of the children. Preschools also help to develop children’s basic mathematical skills. Thus, basic aim of pre-school education is overall development of a child’s cognitive abilities, emotional expression and overall growth.

Preschool Games and Activities

There are a large number of preschool games and activities used in preschool education which are not only extremely useful in terms of their educational value but are also very entertaining and creative. Nowadays pre-school education is not more limited to nursery rhymes and after-nap games. There are wide ranges of preschool activities, which are a consequence of the advent of the computer and Internet as well.

• Educational Visits: Preschool games and activities need not always be confined to the four walls of the classroom. There are a lot of outdoor experiences that make for excellent learning ventures for the preschoolers. Educational visits to the zoo or a plant conservatory are an excellent way for children to learn about the different types of animals, birds and plants. In addition to the educational value, it is also a fun experience for the children! A visit to the museum can be arranged as well since many city museums offer special kids-sections, which are interactive as well as educational.
• Computer Activities: Although too much exposure to computer games is harmful, exposure to educational computer games and activities in moderate levels can be a great way to engage the students in educational preschool activities. There are a lot of computer games and activities which are a great learning experience for the children. The computer activities also enhance the children’s hand-eye coordination. From alphabets, numbers to cartoons and colors, there exist a wide variety of computer activities and games, which are extremely useful in preschool education. This is also a great way to introduce the children to the technology.
• Scribbling and Drawing Activities: Scribbling and drawing are perhaps one of the most enjoyed preschool activities for toddlers. Conventional preschool activities include playing with blocks and activities recognizing shapes and colors. Scribbling and drawing are also a part of the traditional preschool activities, which also help in developing the hand-eye co-ordination, and are a creative way of expression for the toddlers. Activities which involve drawing and coloring also help in developing the child's aesthetic sense.
• Nursery Rhymes and Dance: Be it the twinkling starts, old McDonald's farm or Jack and Jill's adventures - reciting poems and nursery rhymes are an integral part of the preschool education. Recitation of the rhymes with expressive hand gestures and dance steps make for an entertainment-packed learning experience for the preschool toddlers. Learning the rhymes and poems sharpens the memorizing abilities of the preschool children as well as teaches them elements of music like rhythm and beat.

In addition to this there are several outdoor as well as indoor games for preschoolers. Chinese whispers, musical chairs or even athletic sports like running make for excellent preschool activities. The important thing to remember while designing a preschool activity is to maintain a good balance of educational importance or learning value and entertainment! Preschoolers need activities that make the process of learning seem like a whole lot of fun!