Show the children photos of each planet to help them learn the names of each planet. Share a couple of simple fun facts about each planet. For example, teach them that Mercury is the hottest planet because it is so close to the sun. Focus on teaching preschoolers the names and physical appearance of the planets. Avoid reciting statistics or facts to prevent kids from getting frustrated with complicated information. Hang each photo of the planet on the wall. Ask the children if they have questions about space.
Review the names and descriptions of the nine planets with a guessing game. State a fun fact about each planet describing its physical appearance. For example, ask kids which planet is known as Earth's twin because it's about the same size. Or, ask which planet is known as the Red Planet. Write the fact and the correct name of the planet next to the question.
Teach children the locations of the planets by making a solar system poster. Give them a large sheet of black construction paper. Dilute white acrylic paint with water and pour it in a small spray bottle. Instruct the kids to use the spray bottle to spray the black construction paper. The white flecks against the black paper will look like space. Have the children draw the planets using crayons or markers on the poster. Hang the solar system posters up on the wall.
A colorful solar system on the ceiling is another way to teach kids the locations of the planet . Teachers should paint Styrofoam balls so that they resemble the appearance of the nine planets and the sun. Once the paint is dried, label the planets. Hang the Styrofoam planets on the ceiling. Place the planets in the order that they naturally appear. Or have children paint small Styrofoam balls to resemble the planets. Hang the planets on a hanger to create a mini planet mobile.