Preschoolers love to create art projects that look pretty but are also interactive. Art projects not only teach kids important concepts such as following directions, but they allow them to be creative and imaginative as well. Paper plate puppet-shaped creatures are easy to make for young children and serve a dual purpose. For each puppet, you will need construction paper, two paper plates, paints or markers, pipe cleaners and two googly eyes. You will also need scissors, a hole puncher, glue and tape or a stapler. Cut out two capital "E"-shaped letters from black construction paper to form the bug's legs. Sandwich the legs between two plates on opposite sides, with the legs facing outward. Staple two-thirds around the plate, leaving the bottom one-third open. Cut the bottom part off of the two plates to enable the kids' hands to easily fit inside the paper plate puppet. Allow the children to paint or color the paper plates to look like a ladybug or other type of bug. Punch two holes in the top center of the plate and slip pipe cleaner through to form antennae. Glue googly eyes just beneath the antennae and allow children to play with their new puppet.
Allow preschoolers to become mini scientists by observing the world around them. Explain that a magnifying glass does not actually make things bigger; it allows you to see things better. Pass out objects with tiny details, such as flowers, shells and dried starfish. Let the kids look at these objects with their naked eyes and ask them to draw a picture of what they see. Then pass out magnifying glasses and ask them to view the same things. Ask the kids if they see anything new or see details more clearly. Ask them to draw a picture about what they see now. Ask them to compare the two different viewings.
Help children learn counting by integrating songs that have motions. The Songs for Teaching website has songs grouped by topic, lists lyrics and suggested motions and has music clips available for many educational songs. For example, you can teach children how to count to 50 with the fun song "Rockin' to 50," written by David Burba. Not only will children learn how to count, but they will also exert some restless energy by combining the song with the motions. Sing the song over the course of several days. Post a number chart that goes to 50, and point to each of the numbers as you sing them to help students recognize the number word with the spoken word.
Pre-kindergartners can have a difficult time with complicated physical activities because they are still learning how to control their body. Help them with hand-eye coordination by teaching them to play games such as the beanbag toss. Take the kids out to the playground and have them try to toss their beanbag in square one. Once the kids have mastered this, take them to a hopscotch layout and ask them to try to toss their beanbags in the smaller squares.