Preschool students are learning how to write and identify numbers. Help them do this by creating a game that allows them to order numbers quickly. Give each child ten index cards. On each index card, they should write the numbers zero through nine, one number per card. Using a single hole punch, they can punch a corresponding number of holes into the cards as the number written on the card. For instance, on the three card, they would punch three holes. Once every child has completed her cards, students can race to place in numerical order. After that, they can race to place them in descending order. Students can also use the cards to figure out basic addition. For instance, if they put two cards together, they can count the number of holes punched to determine what the total of the two numbers would be.
You can use Popsicle sticks to help preschool students identify shapes. Line up two Popsicle sticks and draw a shape on the top of the sticks so that half of the shape is drawn on one stick, and half on the other. Draw a smaller version of the shape near the bottom of the sticks. Mix them up and ask children to find the pairs. The child who finds the most pairs and can correctly identify the shapes on his sticks is the winner.
Collect about 200 bottle caps to let kids play a pre-reading game. The caps can be soda bottle caps, or caps from any type of bottle or jar, as long as they are flat. On the bottom of each cap, write a letter, and make several caps for popular letters and vowels. Have children sit in a circle and give each child seven caps. Children can look at their caps and determine whether they have any letters that are found in their names. They should take turns and move around the circle, playing a modified Go Fish game. For instance, the first child might notice he needs and A to write his name, so he can ask another student if he has any As in his stack of caps. If that student does not, he should say, "Go fish!" The original student would then pick a letter from the center. The letters in the center should be face down. The first child to make his entire name out of bottle caps is the winner.
Make several card pairs. The pairs should have one card written as the letter and another of a picture of a word that starts with that letter. For instance, A would be paired with apple. After creating a dozen or so memory cards, flip them over and have students play Memory. To play, they should take turns flipping over cards, searching for a match. When a student finds a match, he should take those two cards. The student with the most matches at the end of the game is the winner.