The "Here Today" song is a clever way to gain the attention of the preschoolers while helping them remember each other's names, according to the Perpetual Preschool website. Ask the preschoolers to join hands and form a circle. Then ask them to sit in the circle while you explain how to sing the song to the tune of "Hi-Ho The Dairy-O": "(Child's Name) is here today; (Child's Name) is here today. Turn around, and then sit down; (Child's Name) is here today!" As you say each child's name, ask that child to stand and turn around in a circle while the other preschoolers clap.
Musical chairs combines music, dancing and a game. Place one less chair in the middle of the room than you have preschoolers; for example, if you have five preschoolers who want to play, place four chairs in the room. When the music starts, ask the preschoolers to walk around the group of chairs and to find a chair to sit in when the music stops. Remove the child who is still standing, plus one chair. You can also play this game using carpet squares or as a no-lose game where you play with an equal number of children and carpet squares (or chairs) without removing any of them from the game.
Dramatic play is an important part of how preschoolers learn and act out the world as they see it. Ask the children to role-play different types of daily activities. Help them set up an area like a restaurant, with one student as the server, two as customers and one as the chef. Allow the children to make menus, set tables and place their orders on their own. The only role you will need to play is referee.