Play relaxing and creative pretending games when winding down for a nap. Walk around the room and sprinkle "slumber dust" on each sleepy child. Tell the children to pretend they are nocturnal animals that stay awake at night like owls. Now that it's daylight, they must go to sleep. Or, suggest that the children pretend they are caterpillars sleeping in a warm cocoon. When they wake up, they will all transform into beautiful butterflies.
When children have difficulty waiting their turn to talk, use this tool to make it fun and easy. Take wooden slotted clothespins and draw faces on each. Make one for each child and place the dolls around the edge of a coffee can. When it's time for a child to talk, he takes his doll from the can and holds it while speaking. When finished, he places the doll into the can. It's easier for preschoolers to take turns when they have visual clues to help.
Cut small pieces of yarn in different colors. Ask the children to pick up toys as colors are called. When the child picks up a red toy, give her a red piece of yarn. When that same child picks up a yellow toy, knot the yellow yarn to the red piece. Do this with each child during cleaning time and talk about the colors together. Let the children take home their colored yarn strip to share their pick-up experience with their family.
Patterns are used frequently in preschool, varying colors and shapes to see designs and relationships. Make patterns with the children when lining up in the classroom. Patterns can include boy/girl/boy or long hair/short hair/long hair, or any other pattern created. Children enjoy figuring out pattern clues to determine whether they'll be next in line.
Preschool curricula are built upon themes. Use this idea when a transition calls for lining up or taking turns, as in hand washing. Ask the children to name something related to a theme the teacher calls out. For example, name a zoo animal, a fruit or vegetable or a tool used at a farm. As the child calls out an answer, the teacher chooses that child to be next in line.