While having preschoolers keep track of basic weather facts each day might seem simple, it provides a lot of opportunities for instruction. By comparing the temperature, amount of sunshine and precipitation, the children are being asked to identify what actually defines weather. Keeping a graph and daily record allows them to see patterns during different seasons and practice their counting skills.
When the weather is gloomy and kids are upset about not being able to go outside, it provides an opportunity to discuss the purpose of rain. One of the preschoolers' favorites is helping the flowers grow. This discussion can easily be followed by an art activity where each student makes their own tissue paper flower. They can choose different colors of tissue paper that are secured by a pipe cleaner. The tissue paper can then be fluffed up and separated to form a flower.
Designate a day for each season to do the activities that represent the weather. Preschoolers especially enjoy celebrating the weather that is opposite of what is occurring. For example, celebrating summer during a cold day in February is more fun than doing so in June. To celebrate summer, eat ice cream or make s'mores and play with beach balls. For autumn, pretend leaves can be cut out and jumped in and preschoolers can dress up in Halloween costumes and do pumpkin crafts. Winter can involve a pajama day where the students watch a movie while sipping hot chocolate. When celebrating spring, children can decorate kites and plant flower seeds.
This lesson combines learning about rainbows with eating healthy. Have each preschooler bring in different colored fruits to share with their classmates. Help them arrange the fruits on their plate in the correct order before allowing them to eat it.