Activity Idea: We're Going on a Trip

Language and literacy set the stage for success in all areas of a child's life. Preschool QuickSource® reminds us that "nothing supports a child's language skills like early experiences with speaking and listening. By engaging children in conversations; exposing them to new words; singing songs; discussing symbols and their meaning; and encouraging expression of thoughts, feelings, and opinions through words, you lay the foundation for a child's later reading success."

Here's a fun activity called We're Going on a Trip that promotes language and communication skills development. Children will practice expressing ideas and responding to questions in complete sentence with more complex vocabulary.

For this activity, you will need: language cards with pictures (some that match your destination and some that don't).

Let's get started!

1. Tell the children that today everyone is going on a pretend trip to the beach. (This activity can be adapted to any destination. Other trip examples might include: the zoo, park, library, camping, etc. Choose appropriate and inappropriate pictures for the specific trip.)

2. Spread an assortment of language cards facedown on the floor or table (the cards should contain pictures of items you would take to the beach, such as sunglasses, shoes, ball, etc., and items you would not take to the beach, such as a drill, chalkboard, desk, etc.)

3. Have the children take turns choosing a card. Once the children identify the card, have them determine if they would take the item to the beach. If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: LG 5 Expresses Ideas and Responds to Questions with Complete Sentences and More Complex Vocabulary.

Use storytime to supplement this activity or, if the weather is nice, take this activity outside. You can also plan this activity around a specific field trip that is planned. You can also have the children write a story using complete sentences about their imaginary trip explaining what they would bring and how they would use the items. How was this activity? Where did your class go on their trip?

For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSsource® and browse through all age areas, including Preschool, Kindergarten, Infant, Toddler, and Head Start. Don't forget to explore activities promoting environmental awareness at Environmental QuickSource®, too!