Children, especially preschoolers, express themselves through imagination. Pretending to be a superhero or princess can help develop social skills and self-confidence. Create a station that contains a dress-up box full of costumes and random clothing for preschoolers to dress up in. Once they choose an outfit, encourage them to tell you about who they are and what their new identity does at home, at school or when they go to work. Increasing their self-confidence gives them the ability to develop better self esteem and social skills with other children. Have them listen to each other and play with each other as their new persona. Not only will their imaginations grow, so will their respect for each other.
Set up a station that encourages children to explore different materials and classify them into groups. Preschoolers are learning to sort items according to color, shapes and materials. Give them a variety of objects such as household items --- toilet paper rolls, tissue paper or beans --- and have them sort by color, shape or size. Allow them to explore how things work by giving them sand, funnels and plastic cups so they can learn measurement and trial and error. The exploration station works to develop hand and eye coordination, cooperation and classification skills.
Create a comfortable setting complete with floor mats and pillows with age-appropriate books and writing materials. Every preschooler should have their own personal journal where they can draw and practice writing their names. Their journal should be a place where they can create whatever type of picture they want and it allows them to express themselves on paper instead of using words. Books of every type should be available to them --- picture books, texture books, counting books and alphabet books are very popular with preschoolers. Encourage them to pick their own book and tell you the story or allow them to sit quietly while you tell the story to them. This type of station encourages listening, work recognition, oral language, self expression and respect.
Preschoolers love to dance and sing. Create a station that contains musical instruments such as the triangle, tambourine, drums, guitar and shakers. Children can even create their own instruments with a paper towel tube, some dry beans, tissue paper and rubber bands by placing beans in the tube and banding the tissue paper around the ends. Set up a CD player with kid songs playing so they can dance around and play their instruments with the music. This station encourages teamwork, creativity, exercise and listening.