Create a list of your students' favorite things to foster a sense of community. Ask students to share their favorite foods, books, games or colors. Write down a list of favorite things on a large piece of paper and hang it in the classroom. To extend the activity, play a game by asking students if they like certain items, such as pizza, recess or spinach. Ask students to respond by touching their toes, raising their hands or hopping on one foot if they like the item.
Use songs and nursery rhymes to build a sense of community in your preschool classroom. Choose songs that every student knows well, such as the Alphabet Song. Songs that require each student to sing a small portion alone, such as a name song, is also a good choice. Simple nursery rhymes that involve hand or body motions that students say together are also an excellent way to promote unity in your preschool classroom.
Use circle time as an opportunity for your students to share something about themselves with their classmates through show and tell. Since young children find it difficult to focus for long periods of time, let one or two students share per circle time. Send a note home with the child in advance so that parents have time to choose an item and pack it for their child's presentation. Give each child a few moments to present then let the child pass the item around to his classmates. Leave time for students to ask questions.
Write group stories, during circle time, to promote a sense of unity. Attach a large sheet of paper to the board or easel. Go around the circle, asking each student to add a piece to the story. For example, you might ask each student to add one sentence or to decide on a character or setting. Once the story is complete, read it aloud to the class. To extend the activity, turn the story into a book, encouraging each student to illustrate one page of the story. Place the book in the reading center.