Traditional nursery rhymes and songs that use finger play develop language and fine motor skills. Sing songs such as "Two Little Black Birds," and use your fingers to act out the birds. Preschoolers will sing along and mimic your movements. Nursery rhymes such as "One Potato, Two Potatoes" and "Monkeys on the Bed" also teach numbers. Repeating the songs and rhymes helps develop memory and vocabulary. This activity also helps children focus and improve their listening skills. Select songs according to seasons and holidays.
Crafts build hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Activities such as using scissors and drawing are fun and important developmental skills. Choose crafts that reflect the season or complement a holiday. For Valentine's Day, preschoolers may color simple paper hearts. Children may rub the side of crayons onto paper over autumn leaves. Rolling Play Dough into balls works on fine motor skills, and sculpting Play Dough also uses spatial skills. Decorate old cylindrical oatmeal containers by gluing pom-poms and yarn.
Outdoor play is a time for preschoolers to have free play and develop their gross motor skills. Provide balls, jump ropes and other outdoor play equipment for your preschoolers to use freely. Child-size brooms, buckets and shovels are also good tools for outside play. Start a garden with your preschoolers to teach science, and take your children on nature walks around any grassy outdoor areas. Ask children to observe and listen for wildlife or changes in the seasons. Set up a thermometer to check daily temperatures.
Read picture books to your preschoolers. The early years of childhood set the stage for people's entire lives, so reading books is a fundamental preschool activity. Classic children's books such as "Winnie the Pooh" and "Go Dog Go" are timeless. Rotate books read in class, and ask children to share their favorites for the entire class. Other popular children's books include "Cat in the Hat" and "The Tale of Peter Rabbit."