Libraries across the country put together and loan out tote-boxes or canvas bags that contain age-specific, theme-based teaching tools--called Literacy Kits--prepared by librarians to assist early childhood educators. Kits are categorized for children as young as toddler-age up to pre-kindergarten. They may contain puppets and books or CDs. Manipulatives, games and toys may also be included in the kits. If you check out a fairy tale kit for a class of 5-year-olds, it could contain a Pinocchio puppet, fairy tale picture books and a CD of music from the movie "Cinderella"--even a set of interlocking plastic bricks or wooden blocks the children can build into the shape of an enchanted castle. An alphabet kit prepared for 3-year-olds may feature ABC books, magnetic letters with a cookie sheet to stick them on and a large foam alphabet floor puzzle.
All a preschool teacher needs to do to put a host of curriculum ideas and activities at her fingertips is to check out the information available online. The Enchanted Learning website contains more than 25,000 pages of curriculum ideas, including crafts, literacy projects and activities, printable booklets and worksheets. Enchanted Learning offers a paid subscription to access all areas of the website, but its free curriculum can keep a preschool teacher busily scribbling ideas on her lesson plan week after week. DLTK is a free website dedicated to helping teachers plan lessons featuring number, alphabet and shape worksheets and activities as well as crafts and game ideas.
Make a phone call to your local library, fire station or police department to inquire about informational programs they present for free to preschool classes. Libraries will often send a librarian to read to children once a month. Firefighters may bring a truck and put on a safety program for the children teaching essential survival skills and putting one firefighter a full fire suit, including the oxygen mask, to teach the children not to fear firefighters in the event of a fire. Veterinarians and animal shelters may have programs that include bringing two or three furry or feathered friends to the school. Your local departments of Natural Resources or Waste Management may offer to teach an environmental or recycling lesson at your preschool.