Each lesson or activity should have a specific goal or purpose to guide the teaching. In some cases, the goals are academic in nature. For example, the goal of a counting activity might be to improve number recognition. Other activities have developmental goals, such as improving fine motor skills. Write down the goals when reviewing the curriculum material. Use the goals to help plan out the specific activities in the preschool classroom.
A hands-on approach keeps the young children engaged in the lessons in preschool. Children learn by manipulating objects and testing out actions to draw conclusions and make connections. For example, letting preschoolers test various objects in a tub of water to see if they float or sink helps them build knowledge of the concept on their own. Learning centers work well at the preschool level to encourage hands-on exploration. Set up different areas of the classroom with specific activities like building blocks, sensory table, puzzles and counting objects.
Children are better able to understand new concepts when they relate to previous knowledge. An effective preschool curriculum uses progressive skill development to help children make connections. Preschool teachers should also help children make connections by reminding them how new concepts relate to things they've already learned. For example, if the children already learned that baby cows are called calves, you can connect this to the fact that baby whales are also called calves.
Giving children multiple ways to learn the same concept engages them in additional practice and helps reach all of the preschoolers. Use the same idea in multiple activities over the course of several days or weeks for repeated practice. For example, when teaching letters, use flashcards, art projects, stencils and clay rolled into the shapes of letters to help the preschoolers increase their letter recognition.