Preschoolers are learning to sort and classify objects by size, shape, and color. Create a sorting tub that includes plastic buttons (available at your local school supply store), dried and colored pasta, pom-poms, die-cut shapes, or beads. Choose one of these items per week so that the students don't grow tired of the same objects. Sorting mats and ice cub trays are also great tools to help them learn to sort and classify. Have the students count the number of each item sorted.
Counting is the most basic of number concepts. Most children come into preschool counting at least a few numbers in order. To practice this skill as well as number and money recognition, glue a picture of a piggy bank onto a sheet of pink construction paper. Make at least four of these counting boards. Laminate them for extra durability. Along with the counting boards, make a set of number cards using the numbers 1-10 (or whichever set of numbers you would like the students to practice). The tub will contain four counting boards, a set of number cards and ten pennies per child. Children may play this game in groups of two to four. Each child will take a turn drawing a number card. He then places that many pennies onto his counting board into the piggy bank's belly. The other children check to see if he is correct and play continues to the next child.
In the numeral writing tub, keep items such as markers, crayons, pens and pencils. Number-writing worksheets are easily copied and placed in the tub. However, children may lose interest quickly in completing a worksheet. For added interest, try small dry erase boards or laminated number cards that the children can trace. Have them make numbers out of play-dough or write them with chalk onto black construction paper. For an extra fun learning center, squirt shaving cream onto a small table. Let the children write various numbers with their fingers in the shaving cream. It will wash off their hands and the table easily with soap and water.
Identifying and drawing basic shapes is another key skill of preschool. The shapes tub needs to include easily recognizable shapes. Plastic, shaped manipulatives are available online or at any school supply store. Children can trace these or place them in a particular pattern to make an animal, flower, or other object. Other ideas to include in the shapes tub are outlines of shapes that the students can cut out, sorting mats to sort the shapes and file folder games.