Buoyancy is a beginning science concept that allows young children to experiment with items and see if an item will sink or float in water. On a table, place a large bowl of water along with items of various weights that children can place in the bowl. Students can hypothesize whether the item will float or sink. Not only can children learn about buoyancy in this activity, but they also can learn the scientific process of hypothesizing, experimenting and recording data.
Most children enjoy getting involved with cooking and it has many educational merits. Children will learn how to follow directions and use math skills to measure ingredients and count. Science is involved as students see how combining ingredients results in a different product. There are many options for cooking with children, but some favorites are making rice cereal treats, cookies and pizza dough.
Gardening is a great project for preschoolers. Children can learn the biology of what plants need to live, as well as the parts of a plant. With some small cups, potting soil and seeds, children can plant flowers and vegetables to take home or use in a school garden.
Water tables are a great resource and teachers can make one with a large, shallow plastic container. Fill the container with water, rice or sand. Then provide bowls, measuring cups and spoons. While children use motor skills to scoop and pour, they also will be learning concepts of bigger, smaller and simple volume measurement, all important math concepts.
Many classrooms are equipped with pattern blocks, flat, colored blocks of various shapes. The blocks typically come with cards that help children see how shapes work together to make new shapes.
Another option is to draw shapes on construction paper and cut them out. Then, give the children glue sticks and paper so they can create shape masterpieces. And while they're creating snowmen, cars and even cities, they will be learning geometry basics.