Early Learning Years - Learning Activities

Early Learning Years

Learning Activities

When I paint I am learning...

to develop my imagination and creativity
hand eye coordination, helpful for learning to write
the names of colors and how to make new colors
to distinguish and purposely create shapes
to notice patterns, necessary for learning to read
to express my feelings and ideas
that my ideas have value
relationships of space and size, necessary for mathematics
concepts of symmetry, balance and design

When I scribble and draw I am learning...

to hold and control a pencil or other writing instrument
hand-eye coordination
to exercise my creativity and imagination
that my ideas have value
concepts of color, shape, size and location
to express myself with words that describe my drawing

When I string beads I am learning...

to exercise my imagination and creativity
concepts of shape, size, location, and design, relevant to learning to read
about things that have different textures
how to create patterns and designs, a math skill
to distinguish positive and negative space, a reading skill

When I play with play dough I am learning...

to see the shape against the background of the table, a reading skill
concepts of shape, length, height, and size
to see negative space when cookie cutter shapes are taken away to express feelings when squeezing and pounding
to exercise my imagination and creativity
that the amount of a substance remains the same even when the shape changes

When I play in the pretend area I am learning...

to be flexible in my thinking
to express myself in sentences
to try on different roles
to solve problems socially through negotiations with friends
to sort and organize playthings
to make decisions
to improvise and use objects in symbolic ways, a form of abstract thinking
to carry out my ideas with the cooperation of others
to exercise my imagination and creativity

When I play with scissors I am learning...

to control the small muscles of my hand
concepts of shape, size, color and location
to exercise my imagination and creativity

When I play with pegboards I am learning...

one-to-one correspondence, an essential math concept
to make and repeat patterns
creativity of addition as I add one piece at a time
colors
symmetry, shapes, order, and design
eye-hand coordination, a writing skill

When I sort things I am learning...

to notice details, likenesses, and differences in objects
to form categories, an essential concept for reading and math
concepts of color, size, and shape
numerical concepts of more or less
logical reasoning

When I play with blocks I am learning...

to create and repeat patterns
to exercise imagination
to cooperate with others
to solve problems
about the properties of wood, plastic, etc
to see my self from a different perspective

When I participate in group activities I am learning...

to develop and increase my attention spam
to listen and understand spoken language
to add my ideas to the discussion because my ideas have value
to wait when others are talking
new vocabulary connected with the topic of discussion
to remember words of songs and poems
the names of others in the group
to cooperate and be considerate of the needs of others
to help plan what we will do and how it will be carried out

When I play on climbing equipment I am learning...

self confidence as I develop new skills
physical strength, coordination, and balance
to use my imagination
to cooperate with others
to solve problems

When I dance I am learning...

to express myself physically
to be conscious of moods and rhythms of music
balance and coordination
to use my imagination

When I play with rhythm instruments I am learning...

to be conscious of rhythm in music
concepts of fast, slow, loud, and soft
to express myself in a new way
listening skills and "auditory discrimination"
to interpret signals and cues

When I participate in cooking activities I am learning...

about nutrition, different tastes, and food groups
how hot and cold temperature changes things
concepts of volume and measurement
new vocabulary and measurement
part-whole relationships, which are basic math concepts
an awareness of cultures

When I sing songs I am learning...

principles of music and rhythm
vocabulary
memory skills and sequencing
to be conscious of others
"auditory discrimination" skills by recognizing differences in sounds, a skill necessary for learning to read
various concepts about my culture and the culture of others

When I look at books and hear stories I am learning...

that reading is important and enjoyable
that letters on the page represent words
the meanings of more and more words
to better express my own thoughts and feeling
to exercise my imagination
to interpret pictures
to listen well to spoken language
to make up my own stories
to handle books with care
aesthetic values from illustrations
to recognize certain words when I see print
to use more complex language patterns in my own speech
to follow the development of thoughts and ideas in the plot of a story

Early Learning Years 2220 E. Blake, Wichita KS 67211 (316)267-6430

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