The first learning opportunity of preschool starts before class begins. Walking into preschool and leaving Mom and Dad for even a short time is a growth experience. Small lockers or cubbies with children's names, and pictures if available, give them a sense of belonging. It also teaches them that they can operate autonomously, hanging up their own coat, and finding and keeping their things in their own special place. A powerful passive lesson for preschool children is that are able to operate on their own away from their moms and dads. Creating a space that gives them individuality within the group, such as a desk or table space with their name on it, promotes this.
Just as babies explore their world by touching, preschool children learn heavily through their senses. Children can explore motor skills, spacial relationships, and cause and effect through simple play including sand tables, clay stations and block centers. Children love to get messy and build. Giving them opportunities to use things that can move and groove with them shows how things work in relation to one another. These play areas can be related to lessons such as measuring, counting and color learning.
Imagination is the key to a preschooler's experience. Setting up centers with toys and games that require action and interactivity give children the opportunity to play out grown-up situations and learn to work together. Play kitchens, dress-up areas, pretend stores with cash registers and toys to purchase or even a play school are chances for children to assume roles that teach through fun. Free play in these areas allows them to explore and try out new ideas and feel independence while still experiencing passive learning.
Books can open doors to new worlds, teach through example and fun, and give children a way to use their imagination with or without assistance. Children can read simple books, such as shape or number books, on their own. In addition, story time or story circle, where the children can experience someone reading a book to them, also promotes reading. Give children the chance to explore books that are above their reading level to pique their interest to discover new things. A preschool center filled with books opens the door to this type of learning and promotes reading comprehension.