There are many books available to preschoolers that will help them learn about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. If students have an interest, teach them about other presidents as well. "If You Grew up with George Washington" by Ruth Belov Gross and "The Story of George Washington" by Patricia Pingry are age-appropriate choices to teach children about the first president. "Abe's Honest Words" by Doreen Rappaport and "The Story of Abraham Lincoln" by Patricia Pingry will give children some information about another beloved president.
Because Lincoln's picture is on the penny and Washington's on the quarter, involve children in activities with these coins. Children can place the pieces under a piece of paper and rub a crayon over them on its side to make rubbings. Preschoolers are learning to classify, so give them a group of coins and let them sort them out and make patterns.
The Everything Preschool suggests singing a song using the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb:"
"Do you know who's on the penny?
On the penny? On the penny?
Do you know who's on the penny?
Abraham Lincoln."
Repeat using the word "quarter" and George Washington.
Many children enjoy coloring, and it does promote development of fine motor skills. You can find printable coloring pages online that will allow students to learn what each president looked like. Teacher Vision has printable books that children can create on many presidents so children can take the learning home and share it with family.
Abraham Lincoln is well known for his log cabin, and children can create their own log cabin while reviewing shapes. According to Enchanted Learning, children can glue eight craft sticks horizontally on a piece of construction paper to create a wall of the cabin. Then, using construction paper, provide a child a triangle for the roof, a rectangle for the door and a square for a window. Kids can remember Abraham Lincoln by gluing a penny in the window.
Whether folklore or truth, George Washington is known for chopping down a cherry tree. Children can trace their hand and arm to create their own cherry tree. The hand can be painted green for the top of the tree and the arm brown for the trunk. Children can use red paint to make thumbprints on the tree look like cherries.