Discussions Regarding the Preschool Observation Checklist and Evaluation Tool (POCET)

Activity Idea: Painting Without a Brush

2012-02-01T09:42:00.000-08:00

Kindergarten QuickSource® reminds us that the fine arts "support all areas of development and allows the child to foster creativity and imagination." Children can express thoughts and feelings by painting a picture, dancing, or singing a song.

Here's an activity called Painting Without a Brush that will help children to explore different artistic mediums. For this activity, you will need a Sponge Painting Kit (SPOKIT), Colorations® Simply Washable Tempera Paint (SWT16) or BioColor® Paints (BIO16), and 12x18" sheets of Extra Sturdy Tagboard (12WT).

Materials Needed:
Sponge Painting Kit (SPOKIT)
Colorations® Simply Washable Tempera Paint (SWT16)
BioColor® Paints (BIO16)
Extra Sturdy Tagboard (12WT)

Let's Get Started:
1. Give each child a large piece of paper that works well with paint.

2. Place the different colors of paint in a covered area with easy access for the children.

3. Place the various painting tools on a tray. Have the children experiment, using different items to spread the paint on the paper.

Furthermore....
Extend this activity further by allowing children to create a 3-dimensional mural with other craft mediums.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: CA5: Explores Drawing, Painting and Modeling with Different Materials and Media.

Activity Idea: Making Marks

2012-01-20T08:35:00.000-08:00

Infant and Toddler QuickSource® reminds us that toddlers begin learning about print when they are in the 18-36 month age range. "Caregivers should provide plenty of experiences that involve rhyming, using books, beginning the process of scribbling. Children in this stage are very curious about the world and items around them."

Here's an activity called Making Marks that will help toddlers begin the process of learning about print. Exposing toddlers to books and stories will provide the foundation to help them gain the necessary literacy skills as they enter preschool. For this activity, you will need Colorations® Chubby Crayons (CRCHB) and White Sulfite Paper (A80SU).

Materials Needed:
Colorations® Chubby Crayons (CRCHB)
White Sulfite Paper (A80SU)

Let's Get Started:
1. By the time the child is two, the child has made attempts to make marks on a piece of paper.

2. During this stage of development the child will want to explore different writing instruments.

3. Large crayons and large markers are usually the best materials for young children to grasp and make marks.

4. KEEP IN MIND: A toddler should be closely supervised whenever using a writing instrument. Also, it is usually difficult for the toddler to make legible marks with large pencils. Crayons and markers usually are a better choice.

Furthermore....
Extend this activity by allowing each child to tell the class about what they drew.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: ER17: Begins to Experiment with Writing Instruments.

Activity Idea: What Other Words Have a Beginning Sound to Match Your Name?

2012-01-04T14:01:00.000-08:00

Preschool Activity QuickSource® reminds us that language is all around us and that by engaging children in conversations, we expose them to new words and support their developing language skills. By "encouraging expressions of thoughts, feelings, and opinions through words, you lay the foundation for a child's later reading success."

Here's a new activity called What Other Words Have a Beginning Sound to Match Your Name? that uses circle time to reinforce the use of familiar sounds when speaking. For this activity, you will need a Phonics Spelling Game, Interactive Letter Vests, and a Beginning Sounds Table Top Pocket Chart.

Materials Needed:
Phonics Spelling Game (PSG)
Interactive Letter Vests (ABCME)
Beginning Sounds Table Top Pocket Chart (PC771)

Let's Get Started:
1. Have children listen for other words that begin with the same sound as their name.

2. Point out names that begin with the same sound along with other common words.

Furthermore....
You can also use this activity to excuse children from circle time by having each child name another word that begins with the same sound as his or her own name in order to leave the circle. Example: Tommy-Train, Amy-Apple, Billy-Block. (Note: It is not necessary for the child to be able to attach the sound to the alphabet letter at the beginning of the name. This activity is to recognize sounds in familiar words.)

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: LT 4 Shows Awareness that Words can Begin with the Same Sound.

Activity Idea: Carrot Top

2011-12-21T11:48:00.000-08:00

Head Start QuickSource® reminds us that a child's approach to learning contributes to their success in school and also influences his development and learning in other domains. A child's ability to "stay focused, interested, and engaged in activities supports a range of positive outcomes, including cognitive, language, and social and emotional development. It allows children to acquire new knowledge, learn new skills, and set and acheive goals for themselves." The Approaches to Learning domain refers to the observable behavior that "indicates ways children become engaged in social interactions and learning experiences."

Here's an activity called Carrot Top that will help children learn to maintain concentration over time on a task. For this activity, you will need carrots, water, food coloring and drinking glasses or jars. Discount School Supply's® Root-Vue Farm® would augment this activity by providing an example for children to see how plants grow.

Materials Needed:
Carrots
Water
Food coloring
Drinking glass or glass jar
Root-Vue Farm® (ROOT)

Let's Get Started:
1. Read the book The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss or The Giant Carrot by Jan Peck.

2. Cut the end tips off several carrots. Place one of the carrots in glass half full of water.

3. In a second glass add 8-10 drops of red food coloring and a carrot tip.

4. Place both glasses in a sunny window for several days.

5. Cut the carrots in half and look inside. The one that was sitting in colored water should show the way water was absorbed. A carrot is really a taproot, like a radish and a parsnip.

Furthermore....
Make a carrot salad by mixing carrot slivers with raisins or chunks of apples. Serve this salad at snack time.

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds with the devlopmental guidelines shown in AL3: Maintains Concentration and Interest Despite Distractions.

Activity Idea: My Family and Me

2011-12-07T09:31:00.001-08:00

Kindergarten QuickSource® reminds us that social studies help "children become confident, caring and competent individuals" by developing their understanding of personal relationships. Understanding his or her contribution to relationships with family and friends is an important concept for a child to learn.

Here's an activity called My Family and Me that will help kindergarten children identify important aspects of home and community. For this activity, you will need a family picture of each child's family, if possible. If not, our Multicultural Family Puzzles will work well as a substitute.

Materials Needed:
A family photo of each child's family
Multicultural Family Puzzles (MLTFAMPZ)
Pretend Play People (PPEXSET)

Let's Get Started:
1. Allow the child to show the picture of her family to the other members of the group.

2. Ask the child to identify each person in the picture.

3. Have the child explain what each person in the family does to help the other members of the family.

Note: The teacher should always be sensitive to the make-up of each family, including foster families. The teacher should always help the child celebrate each member of the family and never be judgmental of the child’s home environment.

Furthermore....
Talk about how people can express emotions by using our Moods & Emotions Classroom Set.

Activity Idea: Yellow Star, Yellow Star, What Do You See?

2011-11-23T12:59:00.000-08:00

Preschool Activity QuickSource® reminds us that mathematics is the "study of numbers, quantities, measurements, shapes, and their relationship to one another." The development of children's mathematical skills is developed by creating hands-on experiences and presenting problems to children that are meaningful and relevant to their developmental level. In other words, present math in a fun and creative way, and the opportunity is provided for children to develop abstract reasoning skills, learn complex math concepts and create solutions to real-life problems.

Here's an activity called Yellow Star, Yellow Star, What Do You See? that will help toddlers and preschoolers develop their color and shape recognition skills. For this activity, you will need tape, a manila file folder, and crayons or markers.

Materials Needed:
Manila file folder
Best Value Tape (BVTA) and Tape Dispenser (DISP)
Colorations® Markers (256CHB)
Super Shapes Classroom Stencils (SHAPEUP)

Let's Get Started:
1. Cut out the shape of a star on the front of a manila file folder (recycle an old one by turning it inside out).

2. Decorate the folder by stamping or coloring stars around the area you cut out.
3. Tape the sides of the folder together leaving the top with the tab open.

4. Place many different colors of paper in the pocket you have created.

Furthermore....
During circle time or small groups sing or chant "Yellow star, Yellow Star what do you see? I see a... (lift the first sheet of colored paper out of the pocket to reveal the next color) red star looking at me. Red Star, Red Star what do you see? I See a Blue star looking at me" etc.

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds with the devlopmental guidelines shown in MA3 Classify and Sort by Attributes.

NEW Resource Added! Sample Family Letter

2011-11-16T11:33:00.000-08:00

Hi Teachers!

We've added a letter we've developed to help you explain the POCET assessment to your parents. We hope this helps! Find it under Resources (on the right navigation panel)

Best,
POCET

Activity Idea: Puzzle Me, Puzzle You!

2011-11-10T08:29:00.001-08:00

Preschool Activity QuickSource® reminds us that social/emotional activities focus "on helping children become caring, competent, and confident individuals." Give children a strong sense of self, foster their independence, encourage them to make friends, and teach them to share by nurting their social/emotional devlopment.

Here's an activity called Puzzle Me, Puzzle You! that will build awareness about the different people and cultures that make up a community. It will also help to develop fine motor and cooperative play skills. For this activity, you will need blank puzzles.

Materials Needed:
Make a Puzzle Set (PSMCOM)

Let's Get Started:
1. Display the puzzle boxes where the children can see and use as a guide.

2. Give each person one piece of the puzzle.

3. After the first person puts her piece down, encourage others to figure out how their piece fits.

4. Encourage them to talk about the pieces and to help one another decide which piece belongs where.

Furthermore....
Extend this activity by allowing children to first paint their puzzles. Start with puzzles with larger pieces and then begin to solve puzzles with smaller pieces as children develop their fine motor skills.

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds with the devlopmental guidelines shown in SE6 Interacts Appropriately with Others by Helping, Sharing, Discussing and Developing Friendships.

Activity Idea: Beginning Music

2011-10-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

Infant and Toddler QuickSource® reminds us that infants begin to react to and become fascinated by music during the first 18 months of life. Children also begin to play simple dramatic play and pretend games and caregivers can augment development by providing supporting activities.

Here's an activity called Beginning Music that will provide infants with the opportunity to react to music as they listen to it throughout the days. For this activity, you will need a CD player and some of your children's CDs.

Materials Needed:
Hamilton™ AM/FM CD Player (BOOMBOX)
Putumayo Dreamland CD (LULLABYE)
Classical Music CD (NBCLASS)

Let's Get Started:
1. Between the ages of 6 and 12 months, infants usually begin to attend when music is heard.

2. The caregiver should use music in the infant rooms whenever possible. Such music can include:
       • Humming to the child while trying to get him to sleep.
       • Singing simple songs while playing with the child’s hands.
       • Singing songs with lots of rhyming words and wordplay.
       • Using props, such as a stuffed animal to sing a song (example: a stuffed bear to sing and song about
          a bear, etc.).

Furthermore....
Extend this activity by allowing infants to play musical instruments along with the music played during the day, or have them explore different instruments during music time.

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds with the devlopmental guidelines shown in EC1: Reacts to Music.

Activity Idea: Where Did the Ice Go?

2011-09-30T09:15:00.000-07:00

Preschool QuickSource® reminds us that science is the "study of the world and how it works. Children are natural scientists and their curiosity leads them to seek answers to questions and make connections. By experimenting, making predictions, exploring, testing observations, and investigating, children learn about the world they live in. " Children can discover many things about the world they live in simply by asking a few questions and observing their environment.

Here's an activity called Where Did the Ice Go? that will help children learn to collect, describe and record information. For this activity, you will need white sulfite paper, sand and water activity tubs, and Colorations® large crayons.

Materials Needed:
12x18" White Sulfite Paper, 500 sheets (12SU)
Sand and Water Activity Tubs, set of 4 (TUBS)
Colorations® Large Crayons, set of 8 (CRL8)

Let's Get Started:
1. Place ice in the water table or tub.

2. Give the children an opportunity to play and explore in the ice with different tools.
3. Ask the children to observe what is happening to the ice as they are playing.
4. Draw attention to the water when the ice is completely melted.
5. Give each child a small journal book or a large paper folded into fourths.
6. Have the children record what happened to the ice by drawing pictures. The first picture should be of the frozen ice with the final picture being the melted water. Observe what the children do in the pictures between the ice and the water.

Furthermore....
Extend this activity by freezing other liquids, such as Colorations® Liquid Watercolor™ or various kinds of fruit juice. Ask the children to determine which melts faster or slower.

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds with the devlopmental guidelines shown in SC 2 Collects, Describes and Records Information.

Activity Idea: Painting Without a Brush

2011-09-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

Kindergarten QuickSource® reminds us that Fine Arts "support all areas of development and allows the child to foster creativity and imagination. By painting a picture, singing a song or participating in a dance, a child can express her thoughts and feelings. Children can explore different mediums by using various tools to create pieces of art and participate in musical activities that demonstrate beat, rhythm and music dynamics.

Here's an activity called Painting Without a Brush that will help children discover different ways to apply paint to paper. For this activity, you'll need Colorations® Simply Washable Tempera paint or BioColor® paint, a large piece of paper, and various painting tools.

Materials Needed:
Colorations® Simply Washable Tempera paint or BioColor® paint
12x18" White Sulfite Paper
Supreme Painting Kit

Let's Get Started:
1. Give each child a large piece of paper that works well with paint.

2. Place the different colors of paint in a covered area with easy access for the children.
3. Place the various painting tools on a tray. Have the children experiment, using different items to spread the paint on the paper.

Furthermore...
Extend this activity by encouraging children to find other items within the classroom to use that will create different textures as they paint. Have them look for blocks (TEXBLOCK), cars with rolling wheels (CARS2), sponges (SPOKIT), pretend serving utensils from the dramatic play area (COOKING), etc.

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds with the devlopmental guidelines shown in CA5: Explores Drawing, Painting, and Modeling with Different Materials and Media. It also corresponds with the Creative Arts Expression Head Start domain.

For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® 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®.

Activity Idea: Trash Can Spelling

2011-08-03T10:21:00.000-07:00

Kindergarten QuickSource® reminds us that literacy begins by immersing children in literacy-rich environments and fostering in them a love of language and reading: You can support young children’s emerging literacy skills by planning activities that involve discriminating sounds, identifying print, recognizing letters, developing a love of books, writing, and appreciation of the rhythm of language. These emergent skills will give the child a solid foundation to begin the reading process during this first year of school.

Here's an activity called Trash Can Spelling that will help children to begin decoding words and understanding print. For this activity, you'll need a soft, fleece ball and a hoop ball goal or large, clean trash can.

Materials Needed:
A clean trash can or large container or hoop ball goal (HOOP5)
A soft sponge-type ball or fleece balls (FLCBALL)

Let’s Get Started:
1. Play a game of Trash Can Spelling with a guided reading group (children on the same developmental level in reading).
2. Divide the group into two teams.
3. Each child will get the opportunity to orally spell an appropriate word.
4. When the child spells the word correctly, she gets to opportunity to try to make a "basket" in the trash can with the sponge ball. If the ball goes in the can, that team receives one point.
5. The teacher should make every attempt to make this game as non-competitive as possible. The goal should be receiving the point. There should not be a prize for the team with the most points.

Futhermore....
Extend the activity by encouraging children to spell different words with a personal-sized magnetic board (MAGBOD) and magnetic letters (LETSET).

If using POCET®, this activity corresponds with the deverlopmental guidelines shown in LT18: Identifies at Least 10 Letters of the Alphabet. It also corresponds with the Literacy Knowledge & Skills head Start domain.

For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® 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®.

Activity Idea: Shape Scavenger Hunt

2011-05-16T14:31:00.000-07:00

Head Start QuickSource® reminds us that math is everywhere: Shapes are everywhere! Children can learn to recognize, describe, and sort items according to size and shape simply by exploring their environment.

Here's an activity called Shape Scavenger Hunt that gets children excited about math with a "seek and find" game. Children will learn to recognize, describe, compare and name common shapes they find in familiar settings. For this activity you will need: poster board, contact paper, scissors, and markers.

Before you start: Draw and cut out various shapes – rectangles, circles, ovals, squares, etc. – on poster board using a marker. Use contact paper to make the cards extra durable.

Let's Get Started!
1) Discuss various shapes with the children using the shape cards. For example, a square has four equal sides, and a rectangle has two long sides and two short sides.

2) Can the children find the shapes in the classroom? A bulletin board is an example of a rectangle; a clock is an example of a circle, etc.

3) Go outside with the children to find more shapes.

4) Hold up a card featuring one of the shapes. Then challenge the children to find an example of that shape. A sidewalk is an example of a rectangle, a rock is a circle, etc.

Furthermore...

Extend the activity by playing a game of "Shape I Spy." Say, "I spy a red circle. Can you find it?" Continue giving the children clues until the object is found. Have the children take turns being the spy.

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds to developmental guidelines MA8: Recognizes and Manipulates Basic Shapes. This activity also corresponds to the Geometry & Spatial Sense element of the Mathematics Knowledge & Skills Head Start Learning Domain.

For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® 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®.

Activity Idea: Obstacle Course

2011-05-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

Kindergarten QuickSource® reminds us that: Physical Health and Safety supports a child’s overall education and growth. Children learn best when they have healthy minds and bodies.

Here's an activity that presents math in a fun way, called Obstacle Course that gets children active and helps develop motor skill coordination. For this activity you will need: balance beam or pods, playground ball, tumbling mat, tossing game, safety cones, and a large area for safe physical activity. (If it's nice, head outdoors!)

Let's Get Started!
1) Build an obstacle course in a safe play area. This could be on a lawn or in a large playroom where the children can move safely.

2) Make sure the obstacle course contains items that will help the child balance, bounce a ball, tumble (somersault or roll), toss items at a target, etc. Also make sure that the area is clearly marked so the child knows where to go next and keeps a safe distance from others participating.

3) Model how to complete each obstacle course activity.

4) Encourage the children to move through the obstacle course keeping a comfortable flow so that all children can participate continually.

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds to developmental guidelines PH1: Demonstrates Eye-Hand Coordination; PH3: Demonstrates Balance and Control During Locomotor Movements; and PH4: Uses Large Muscles to Manipulate Objects.

Activity Idea: Yellow Star, Yellow Star What Do You See?

2011-04-18T15:49:00.000-07:00

Preschool QuickSource® reminds us that "You can support the development of children's mathematical skills by creating hands-on experiences and by presenting problems to children that are meaningful and relevant to their developmental level."

Here's an activity that presents math in a fun way, called Yellow Star, Yellow Star What Do You See? that helps preschoolers learn to distinguish shape and color. For this activity you will need: stampers, markers or crayons; tape; and manila folders. This activity can be adapted to any shape, including seasonal shapes.

Let's Get Started!

1) Cut out the shape of a star on the front of a manila file folder (recycle an old one by turning it inside out).

2) Decorate the folder by stamping or coloring stars around the area you cut out.

3) Tape the sides of the folder together leaving the top with the tab open.

4) Place many different colors of paper in the pocket you have created.

During circle time or small groups sing or chant "Yellow star, Yellow Star what do you see? I see a... (lift the first sheet of colored paper out of the pocket to reveal the next color) red star looking at me. Red Star, Red Star what do you see? I See a Blue star looking at me" etc.

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds to developmental guideline MA3: Classify and Sort by Attributes. For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® 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®.

Activity Idea: Word of the Week

2011-04-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Kindergarten QuickSource® reminds us that "Literacy begins by immersing children in literacy-rich environments and fostering a love of language and reading." Fostering a child's emerging literacy skills requires activities that develop the following skills: discriminating sounds, identifying print, recognizing letters. It's also important to instill in children, at an early age, a love of books, writing and an appreciation of the rhythm of language. ..."These emergent skills will give the child a solid foundation to begin the reading process during this first year of school." Here's an activity, called Word of the Week, that helps build these emergent skills through vocabulary. For this activity you will need sentence strips or cards to write the word of the week, markers, and a classroom pocket chart. Let's Get Started! 1) Choose your "Word of the Week." A good way to increase vocabulary in young children is to choose a "Word of the Week." A word should be chosen that may be unfamiliar to many of the children. (Tip: Choose a word that will correspond to something they will learn that week. For example: if they are learning about animals and life cycles, choose a word like "metamorphosis" or "tadpole.") 2) Write the word on a card or sentence strip while the children watch. 3) Have the children say the word. 4) Post the word in a place where it can be noticed often during the week. 5) Throughout the next few days, revisit the word asking the children the meaning. Making this activity a part of your weekly routine, while help children expand their vocabulary and help build literacy skills. If using POCET™, this activity corresponds to developmental guideline LG3: Understand more complex vocabulary and displays listening comprehension. For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® 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®.

Activity Idea: Bug Camouflage

2011-03-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

Teacher QuickSource® reminds us that "a child's knowledge of the world and how it works increases on a daily basis. You can help foster children's interest in science by planning activities that encourage children to interact with the materials, living things, and natural processes in their environment."

Here is a great idea from Head Start QuickSource® called Bug Camouflage. This hide-and-seek activity is a great way for children to explore the natural world while learning about how animals use camouflage to protect themselves against predators. For this activity, you will need brown or green leaves, construction paper, and sissors.

The goals of this activity are: to develop observation skills, and to describe and discuss the natural world, materials, and processes.

Before you start explain to the children that many insects, such as crickets and grasshoppers, are the same color as the grass, the trees, the leaves, or wherever it is they live. They are the same color to blend in and hide from animals that might want to eat them.

Let's get started!

1. Go on a nature walk with the children and gather green or brown leaves from outdoors.

2. After returning to the classroom, have the children draw a simple outline of a bug on to green or brown construction paper. Ask the children to cut their bug out.

3. Play a game of "Can You Find Me?" by asking each child to leave the room for a minute (and no peeking). Hide the paper bug among the leaves.

4. Call the child back into the room and ask if he can find the bug hidden within the leaves, just using his eyes. The other children can give clues if necessary.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: SC1: Displays observation skills.

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!

Activity Idea: Quack, Quack, Quack

2011-03-07T14:55:00.000-08:00

Head Start QuickSource® reminds us that "When math is presented in a fun and creative way, teachers provide children with the opportunity to develop abstract reasoning skills, learn complex math concepts, and create solutions to real-life problems." One way to present math in a fun way is through song. Onomatopoeia occurs when a word imitates, or sounds like, the actual word name. Examples include: Quack, oink, swoosh, meow, etc.

Here's an activity called Quack, Quack, Quack that encourages children to match sounds and rhymes in familiar activities. For this activity, you will need: rhyming songs and charts, and visual aids related to the story.

Let's Get Started!

1) Teach children songs and chants with onomatopoeia sound words. Here is an example:

Five Little Ducks Five little ducks went out to play Over the hill and far away. When Mama Duck said, “Quack, quack, quack!” Four little ducks came waddling back. Four little ducks went out to play Over the hill and far away. When Mama Duck said, “Quack, quack, quack!” Three little ducks came waddling back.

2) Have children repeat, reducing the number of ducks each time until you reach “0” (zero) ducks.

But, when Papa Duck yelled, “QUACK, QUACK, QUACK!” Five little ducks came waddling back!

Furthermore, have each child talk about common, everyday sounds they hear around the house or outdoors. Ask for volunteers to lead the group in imitating the sounds. Exploring familiar sounds will reinforce this activity.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guidelines: MA7: Demonstrates understanding and recognition of numerals 0-9.

Activity Idea: Can You Hear the Beat?

2011-02-21T14:28:00.000-08:00

Kindergarten QuickSource® reminds us that "Fine Arts support all areas of development and allows the child to foster creativity and imagination. By painting a picture, singing a song or participating in a dance, a child can express her thoughts and feelings."

Here's an activity called Can You Hear The Beat? that encourages children to participate in musical activities and demonstrates beat, rhythm and dynamics. Before you begin, gather your materials: Empty toilet tissue rolls, enough for at least one per child; various colors of paint and brushes; pebbles or uncooked beans; and heavy-duty tape.

Let's Get Started!
1) Allow each child to paint the outside of a craft roll. Allow the rolls to dry overnight.

2) Help each child place tape over one end of the painted roll.

3) Help the child place a handful of beans inside the roll, then tape the other end trapping the beans (or pebbles) inside.

4) Using the rolls as a shaker, help the children discover the beat of a familiar song.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guidelines: CA4: Recognizes and moves to different musical beats.

For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® 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®.

Activity Idea: Extending Patterns

2011-02-07T16:44:00.000-08:00

Preschool QuickSource® reminds us that "Through hands-on experiences with counting, children learn important number concepts and operations. Children begin to make these connections with activities involving counting in sequence, comparing numbers of objects, using one-to-one correspondence, and counting to determine quantity."

Here's an activity called Extending Patterns. The goal of this activity is to encourage children to create patterns by extending and comparing. Before you begin, gather your materials: manipulatives of several duplicated items, and sorting trays.

Let's Get Started!
1) Using the manipulatives, create a simple ABAB pattern using the attribute of color, for example: red counting disk, yellow disk, red disk, yellow disk. This pattern can be created in a line on a tabletop, or as a circle in a sorting tray.

2) Ask the child to identify which color disk would come next in that pattern.

3) Progress to other attributes, such as animals or size according to the child’s developmental level. (Geometric shapes should not be used until the child has mastered shape identification.) This activity can also be extended to more difficult patterns, such as: ABCABC, AABBAABB, etc.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guidelines: MA4: Creates Patterns by Extending and Comparing.

Activity Idea: I Feel Happy When...

2011-01-24T15:09:00.000-08:00

Kindergarten QuickSource® reminds us that "Social Studies focuses on helping children become confident, caring and competent individuals. This usually begins with the personal relationships the child has with friends and family. Understanding his/her contribution to family and friend situations is an important concept for the kindergarten child."

Here's an activity called I Feel Happy When... that promotes the development of healthy relationships and expressing feelings. Before you begin gather your materials: drawing paper and crayons.

Let's Get Started!

1) As part of a writing experience, ask the children to complete the following sentence, "I feel happy when..."

2) Allow the children to draw several pictures of things that would make them feel happy. According to the development of the child, encourage him/her to also include any words he/she might be able to write.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guidelines: SE3: Expresses Feelings and Is Aware of How Actions Affect Self and Others

Activity Idea: Soap Snowpeople

2011-01-10T14:50:00.000-08:00

Head Start QuickSource® reminds us that "APPROACHES TO LEARNING help all children learn and succeed. Each child is unique and learns in his own way. Young children are naturally curious and eager to learn. You can nurture this curiosity by encouraging children to participate in a variety of activities, make independent choices, and find creative solutions to problems."

Winter is a perfect time to incorporate snow into approaches to learning - and you can even bring the snow indoors! Here's an activity called Soap Snowpeople that promotes fine motor skills and encourages children to approach a task with an increased flexibility, imagination, and inventiveness.

Before you begin gather your materials: paper plates, bowls, 4 cups of soap flakes (such as Ivory), electric or hand mixer, 1 cup of water. You can also replace the soap flakes with Insta Snow™. If you choose to use Insta Snow™ instead, you will not need the mixer. Just follow the directions on the package.

Before You Start:

Remind the children that this is soap and it is not for eating. (The same applies if you are using Insta-Snow™.)

Make enough "snow" for each child to have 3 or 4 handfuls.

If using soap flakes, Whip the soap flakes and water until it is the consistency of thick whipped cream; the peaks should hold their shape.

Let's Begin!

1) Cover the work area with newspaper.

2) Place bowl(s) of the "snow" onto the table and have children scoop it out with their hands.

3) Encourage them to roll, pat, and shape the balls on their paper plates.

4) If desired, provide some small black beads to use for faces and buttons, and toothpicks or twigs for arms.

5) Snowmen will look nice for a day or two, but they do not last. (Just like the real ones!)

Afterward: Hands should be washed immediately after the project so the soap won't get into the children's eyes.

Furthermore, you can read a snow related story to the children, such as The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, before or after this activity. Talk about the different activities you can do in the snow, and list them on a piece of paper or on the board.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guidelines: AL2: Makes Independent Choices and Is Willing to Try New Things

For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® 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

Activity Idea: Hand and Toe Pictures

2010-12-28T14:12:00.000-08:00

Preschool QuickSource® reminds us that "SCIENCE is the study of the world and how it works. Children are natural scientists and their curiosity leads them to seek answers to questions and make connections. By experimenting, making predictions, exploring, testing observations, and investigating, children learn about the world they live in."

Here's an activity called Hand and Toe Pictures. The goal of this activity is recognizing individual body parts. Before you begin gather your materials: large art paper, washable finger or tempera paint, paint brushes, crayons, markers. For cleanup: soap & water, paper towels.

Let's Begin!

1) Paint the hands and feet of each child. Have the child make a paint imprint on the large art paper with each body part that is painted. (Optional: This activity can be simplified by using only one hand and one foot.). Allow the child to decide where to make the imprints on the paper.

2) Help the children thoroughly wash their hands and feet after making the imprints.

3) Allow the art prints to thoroughly dry.

4) Give each child his/her art print. Using crayons or markers have each child create a picture out of the prints they have made with hands and feet.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guidelines: SC3: Recognizes Individual Body Parts.

Activity Idea: Telling a Story with Puppets

2010-12-13T13:48:00.000-08:00

Kindergarten QuickSource® reminds us that "Language is all around us, and 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 meanings and encouraging expression of thoughts, feelings, and opinions through words, you lay the foundation for a child's later communication and reading success."

Here's an activity called Telling a Story with Puppets that encourages children to use complete and more complex sentences as well as to listen attentively to their fellow classmates. This activity doesn't require many materials: puppets and story suggestions. Be sure you have several story suggestions for the chilren before starting this activity.

Let's Begin!

1) Give the child an opportunity to create a story using puppets. When children can pretend to be someone else, they often concentrate on using complete sentences and creating a verbal structure.

2) To lessen the pressure, it is sometimes better for the child to have just one additional child listening to the story.

3) You may need to offer suggestions to help the child begin the story.

4) Another option is to have a pair of children work as partners in tell a story. Each child can be a different character in the story.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guidelines: LG5: Expresses Ideas and Responds to Questions with Complete Sentences and More Complex Vocabulary.

Activity Idea: Number Collage

2010-11-29T09:03:00.000-08:00

Head Start QuickSource® reminds us that "When math is presented in a fun and creative way, teachers provide children with the opportunity to develop abstract reasoning skills, learn complex math concepts, and create solutions to real-life problems."

Here's an activity called Number Collage that combines math with art to increase children's awareness of numerals and quantities in an exciting and creative way. This activity can be used to focus on individual number learning by giving all of the children the same number, or you can focus on the numbers 1-10 by giving the children different numbers to collage.

Before you start, gather your materials: markers, scissors, poster board, glue, and collage materials (foam shapes, buttons, feathers, beads, wiggly eyes, pom-poms, etc.) You'll also need to prepare the art space:

Cover a table with newspaper or butcher paper to facilitate clean-up.

Draw a large number outline, about 2" wide, on the poster board using a marker. Make one number poster for each child.

Let's begin!

1) Invite the children to the art table. Be sure that each child has easy access to the collage materials and the glue.

2) Hold up the number poster and ask the children to identify the number.

3) Give each child a number poster.

4) Explain that each child will be making a number collage by counting out collage materials to match the number on his or her poster. For example, if a child has the number four, he or she will select four foam shapes, four feathers, four beads, etc.

5) Once the children have selected their collage materials, and they are happy with their placement on their poster, have them glue the materials to the number.

6) Once the collage is dry, cut out the numbers with scissors, and hang on them on a bulletin board for further counting practice.

Furthermore...This activity can be repeated for alphabet learning. Instead of numbers, provide each child with a letter, perhaps the first letter of his or her name, and collage pictures of items that begin with that letter.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guidelines: MA1: Can Explore with Materials, MA5: Shows 1-to-1 Correspondence and Recognizes the Manyness of Sets, and MA7: Demonstrates Understanding and Recognition of Numerals 0-9.

Activity Idea: Sparkling Sensory

2010-11-12T10:01:00.000-08:00

Preschoolers need lots of sensory activities. Preschool QuickSource® reminds us that "fine motor activities exercise small muscles. [And] to help children develop their fine motor skills, [we should] create activities that involve hand-eye coordination."

Here's a simple sensory activity that's great for a developing dexterity and control called Sparkling Sensory. Before you start gather your supplies: You'll need colored glitter paint and repositional clear paper.

Let's get started!

1) First, find a clean, smooth surface. (A finger paint tray works well.)

2) Pour the glitter paint on the surface.

3) Cover with repositioning clear paper.

4) Encourage your preschoolers to touch the surface. This is a great tactile experience and a mess-free way for preschoolers to develop fine motor skills.

Futhermore: Smooth out the bubbles in the repositional clear paper, and encourage the children to do the same, further developing their sense of touch and fine motor dexterity.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: PH2: Begins to Show Fine Motor Dexterity and Control.

Activity Idea: Animal Parade

2010-10-29T14:07:00.000-07:00

Halloween offers a great opportunity for bringing dramatic play into the classroom. Afterall, Head Start QuickSource® teaches us that "children learn through play. By assuming different roles, children have the opportunity to work out solutions to problems, practice new skills, and interact with others."

Here's an activity called Animal Parade that helps children discover the wonderful world of animals with art and dramatic play. Children will create animal masks and march in an animal parade. The goals of this activity are to participate in a variety of dramatic play activities that become more extended and complex, and to encourage the development of children's imagination and creativity.

Gather your materials: For this activity you will need: masks in the shape of animals or paper plates; glue; paint; animal pictures; collage materials.

Before you get started: Show the children photographs of real animals. If you don't have classroom photos, you can use photos out of a nonfiction children's book or a nature magazine. Talk about the characteristics of each animal. For example, pelicans have a very large beak, lions have a large mane of fur, elephants have a large trunk, etc. Ask the children to make the sound of each animal.

Let's get started!

1) Invite the children to make their own animal mask.

2) Give each child a mask (or paper plate) and plenty of arts and crafts materials, such as feathers, crinkle paper (to make a lion's mane), paint, etc.

3) Help the children use the materials to create their animal mask.

4) Once the children have finished making their masks and all the paint and glue have dried, have an animal parade. Lead your line of animals on a march through the classroom or outside.

Furthermore: Use the masks again at circle time. Invite the children to pretend to be animals grazing or wandering around their natural habitat. Let them get up and scatter around the room. When you call for them with their animal sound, they must return back to the circle.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: CA6: Plans and Works Independently through the Process of Art Activities. It also correlates to Developmental Guideline: CA8: Participates in Dramatic Play by Using Materials to Create Different Roles and Situations.

Activity Idea: Daily Schedule

2010-10-14T11:00:00.001-07:00

Preschool QuickSource® tells us that "by nurturing children's self-concept, you can help them feel accepted and valued by the people who are most important to them. You can enhance this development by creating classroom activities that allow children to assert their independence, gain confidence in their abilities, and express pride in their accomplishments."

Here's a great activity idea called Daily Schedule that helps define a daily routine for children and allows them to feel centered. This activity may be especially helpful for children who have difficulty with transitions throughout the day. The goal of this activity is to have children display confidence and independence in a school setting.

Before you start: For this activity you will need pictures of daily activities (created by you, the teacher) or photos of the children in the classroom functioning at various activities. Poster board and hook & loop dots, a camera, a visual daily schedule, or pocket chart are optional helpful resources to have for this activity.

Let's Get Started!

1) Using pictures of each stage of the daily routine (for example: circle time, snack time, learning centers, outdoor play, etc.), create a visual daily schedule.

2) Place the pictures in the schedule order for the day on a poster or on the circle time wall. You may want to place hook & loop dots on the pictures and display area so that the pictures can be easily adjusted if the schedule changes.

3) Talk through the schedule with the children, reminding them they can refer to the daily schedule as a reminder of what activity is next.

4) You may want to remove each picture throughout the day as that activity is completed.

Helpful hint: Some teachers find it useful to begin the school year with generic pictures of daily activities. Soon after school begins, the teacher will replace the generic pictures with photos of the children in the classroom. Having photos of the children in the classroom provides the best reference for the group. Providing a visual daily schedule is also helpful with transitioning the children back into the classroom after a holiday break.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: SE3: Expresses Feelings and is Aware of How Actions Affect Self and Others. This activity also correlates to NAEYC Standard: 2.L.06: Children have varied opportunities to engage in discussions about fairness, friendship, responsibility, authority, and differences.

For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® 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!

Activity Idea: Does It Float?

2010-09-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

Kindergarten QuickSource® tells us that "When math is presented in a fun and creative way, teachers provide children with the opportunity to develop abstract reasoning skills, learn complex math concepts and create solutions to real-life problems."

Here's a great activity idea called Does It Float? that presents math in a fun way and teaches children to sort or group objects according to the similarities or differences in their attributes.

Before you start: For this activity you will need: a water table or large container filled with water; a tray of assorted materials, some that float and others that do not (only use materials that are appropriate for placing in water); a sheet of paper with a line drawn down the middle for each child - On the top of one side write, "Yes" and on the other side write "No"; crayons & pencils.

Let's Get Started!

1) Play a game of "Does It Float?" by giving the child a tray of objects to place in the water.

2) Provide a sheet of paper, divided as described, for the child to record results.

3) Have the child place each object, one at a time, in the water. If the object floats, have the child draw a picture of the object on the "Yes" side of the paper. If it does not float, have the child draw a picture of the object on the "No" side of the paper.

4) Have the child continue until he/she has tried every object on the tray.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: MA3: Clasifies and Sorts by Attributes

Activity Idea: Three Station Art Center

2010-09-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

Preschool QuickSource® tells us that "young children are naturally curious and eager to learn."And "...when young ones are given the freedom to engage in an activity, they develop their decision-making skills."

Here's a great activity idea called Three Station Art Center that encourages independent and creative thinking as well as developing logical reasoning skills by allowing children to decide what type of art project they do and to explore different types of mediums of art. The goal of this activity is to make independent choices and a willingness to try new things.

Before you start: For this activity you will need (have enough for each child to use at each of the three stations): beads, cords, and other materials for beading projects; masks in the shape of animals or paper plates; paint and paint brushes; paper; and clay or dough (you can also provide tools).

Let's Get Started!

1) Set up three different stations with adequete materials for your art center: one for sculpture, one for painting (idea: try a Biocolor Mask Painting Station); and one for beading projects. Make sure you have enough materials for each child to use at any given station.

2) Allow children to choose one of the three art stations and create their projects.

3) If they spend some time at one station and choose to visit another station, allow them to do so. This will allow them to make their artistic choices freely, in turn developing their independence and creativity.

4) Set up additional stations for math, science, and other subjects. Use an array of materials to encourage visual and tactile interest.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: AL2 Makes Independent Choices and is Willing to Try New Things.

For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® 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!

Activity Idea: Look for the Danger

2010-08-20T07:52:00.000-07:00

Starting kindergarten is a very exciting time for children. Often in the minds of these young learners, kindergarten separates them from the "babies." As they start their new daily routine in their new classroom, there is so much to explore! However, even with all this excitment, it is important that classroom rules are established.

Kindergarten QuickSource® tells us that "Physical health and safety supports a child's overall education and growth." And so, teachers typically begin each school year with an introduction of classroom rules. But while they are important to fostering a safe learning environment, the first mention of rules often translates in a child's ears as "no fun."

Here is an activity called Look for the Danger that supports classroom rules by helping children understand basic safety rules and shows children that following basic safety rules can be fun.

Before you get started, each child will need the following materials: a magnifying glass, drawing or construction paper, crayons, and a lapboard (optional, but great if doing this activity during circle time).

Let's get started!

1. Play a game of "Look for danger" in the classroom.

2. Give each child a magnifying glass, paper and crayons. (It may be helpful for the children to have lapboards to use with the paper and crayons.)

3. Have the child, individually or with a partner, find anything in the classroom that could be potentially dangerous. Tell the children to use the magnifying glass to look over everything carefully. (For example: an electrical outlet, scissors, pencils, items on the floor, etc.)

4. When the child finds something potentially dangerous, he/she should draw it on his/her paper with a crayon.

5. Have the children report their findings to the group. Have the group decide how the danger can be avoided with these items in the room. (Many of their decisions will be reflected in the classroom rules!)

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: PH6 Understands Basic Health and Safety Rules.

For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® 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!

Activity Idea: Colorful Caterpillar Collage

2010-08-06T11:22:00.000-07:00

As summer vacation begins to wind down and teachers gear up for a new school year, often much consideration is given to how to get children back into "the swing of things" after months out of the classroom. We hope that while children are enjoying the summer, parents and caregivers will encourage activities that help retain the skills and knowledge learned the previous school year - especially literacy.

We know from Head Start Activity QuickSource® that "literacy begins by immersing children in literacy-rich environments and fostering a love of language and reading." And that "Children who are exposed to a variety of books and are read to frequently develop a love and appreciation for books that will last a lifetime."

Ideally, this summer's vacation has included plenty of reading. But even if it didn't, here's a great activity called Colorful Caterpillar Collage that will get children excited about reading while ecouraging artistic expression.

The goals of this activity are:

to produce a growing interest in listening to and discussing a book; and

to encourage children to make predictions and test the results

Materials: For this activity, you will need: Eric Carles's The Very Hungry Caterpillar; white school glue; scissors; blue, red and yellow tissue paper; white construction paper; small paint brushes; smock, one for each child.

Before You Start:

Mix equal parts of glue and water, and put a small amount on a paper plate.
As you read The Very Hunry Caterpillar with the children, notice all the colors in his pictures and the collage-style artwork he uses. After you're done reading, encourage the children to create their own pictures using a similar style.

Let's Get Started!

1. Begin this project by having the children cut or tear the tissue paper into small pieces.

2. Encourage the children to brush or drip the glue mixture over the pieces of tissue paper and then set them on the white construction paper.

3. As the colors overlap, new shades and hues will emerge. Invite the children to predict what will happen when two colors - such as yellow and blue, or red and blue - are layered.

4. After the collage dries, make a giant caterpillar for your classroom bulletin board! Simply cut each child's collage into a circle and place the child's name above or below his/her creation. Create the head of the caterpillar by cutting out a bigger circle and drawing eyes, a mouth, and antennae.

Expand this activity: Reread The Very Hungry Caterpillar to the children. This time, encourage the children to count the food items the caterpillar eats as you read the story. How many apples does the caterpillar eat? How many plums? What will the caterpillar eat next? Chart the results. Just like the caterpillar, children grow strong bodies by eating healthy foods. Talk with the children about what they ate for lunch or dinner. One peanut butter sandwich? Three apple slices?

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: LT7 Shows Interest in Reading-Related Activities

For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® 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!

Activity Idea: Animal Moves

2010-07-12T15:01:00.000-07:00

Preschool Quicksource® reminds us of the importance of physical movement in developing healthy minds and bodies - healthy minds and bodies are moving minds and bodies!

Here's an activity that will get the children moving called Animal Moves . On a nice summer day, it can be taken outside. The goal of this activity is to "introduce or enhance balance and control during locomotor movements."

Children have fun while learning about animals and exercise their motor skills.To make the most of this activity, you will need several animal language cards or pictures of animals. If you are inside, be sure that you are in a space with plenty of room for movement.

Let's Get Started!

1. Show the children one of the animal cards.

2. Discuss the movements of that animal.

3. Have the children move around the space pretending to be that animal.

4. Repeat the activity with a different animal.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: PH3: Demonstrates Balance and Control During Locomotor Movement.

Expand this activity's imaginative fun by adding more dramatic play elements. For example, you can use costumes, or have some children pretend to be animals at the zoo and have others figure out which animals are being portrayed.

2010-06-07T12:48:00.000-07:00

"Literacy begins by immersing children in literacy-rich environments and fostering a love of language and learning. You can support young children's emerging literacy skills by planning activities that involve discriminating sounds, identifying print, recognizing letters, developing a love of books, writing, and appreciating the rhythm of language." (Preschool Quicksource®)

Here is a great activity called Draw the Ending, which supports comprehension skills by having children retell stories, dictating their own version of a story, and predicting outcomes of stories. For this activity you will need: crayons, newsprint paper or other art paper, and a new story (book) not previously read to the children.

Let's get started:

1. Read a new story to the group.

2. Stop just before the ending.

3. Have the children take a piece of art paper and crayons and draw what they think will happen at the end of the story. Have the children share the pictures prior to reading the end of the story.

This activity can be adapted or expanded by having the children create alternate endings to the story.

If using POCET™ , this activity correlates to Developmental Guide: LT 8 Shows the Ability to Retell, Dictate and Predict Story Outcomes.

For more great developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® 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®.

Activity Idea: Creepy Crawly Snakes

2010-05-27T13:37:00.000-07:00

Teacher QuickSource® reminds us that "children learn best when they have healthy minds and bodies." Often, when we think of "physical health" we immediately think of outdoor physical activities such as running, riding tikes, or other activities typically carried out on the playground during recess. These activities definitely contribute to a child's physical health. But it is important to remember that physical health is fostered by activities that enhance children's gross and fine motor skills.

Here is a great idea from Head Start QuickSource® called Creepy Crawly Snakes that helps children develop fine motor skills - an important element of physical health - through growing strength, dexterity and control needed to use tools such as scissors. (It's also a great activity to use when learning about garden animals that are coming out of their winter sleep.)

For this activity, you will need: green construction paper (one sheet for each child), crayons, and scissors (a pair for each child).

Before you start...
Draw an oval (the snake's head) and a spiral on a piece of green construction paper, one for each child. Make a large, thick spiral for children still learning to use scissors. Draw a longer, thinner spiral shape for those with good cutting skills

Let's get started!

1. Give each child a pair of scissors. Show the children how to cut along the line of the spiral, which will uncoil to create the snake's body. (You may want to have a few extra pieces of paper just in case a child needs additional practice.)

2. Let the children add eyes, scales, and a tongue with crayons.

3. Attach the snake body to the snake's head. Hang the snakes from the ceiling so that they spiral down to create a fun creepy, crawly look. (Optional)

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: PH2 Begin to show fine motor dexterity and control.

Activity Idea: Local Business in the Classroom

2010-05-14T13:11:00.000-07:00

Creative play is an important learning experience that supports all areas of child development and fosters imagination and creativity. The playground isn't the only environment for play, the classroom can also offer wonderful opportunities for creative and dramatic play that double as valuable learning experiences. Preschool QuickSource® reminds us that "by assuming different roles, children have the opportunity to work out solutions to problems, practice new skills, and interact with others."

Here's a fun activity called Local Business in the Classroom that teachs children express thoughts, ideas, and feelings in creative ways by encouraging them to independently participate in dramatic play experiences and use various materials and props to enhance their play.

For this activity, you will need: business materials from a local business (see activity), career costumes or hats, a pretend cash register. This activity can be altered for various types of businesses or can take place without the suggested field trip (if need be).

Let's get started!

1. Visit a local business and tell them that you would like to create a dramatic play center about that business. Ask the business for materials that would help create the center. For example, visit a local pizza parlor. Ask the pizza parlor for pizza boxes, cooking hats, signs and anything else that would be helpful in creating the center.

2. Someone from the business may be willing to visit the classroom and talk to the children about the business. If they are willing, have them share their experiences with the class.

3. Set up the center in the classroom and let the children use their imagination in creating life in the business using the materials provided.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: CA 8 Participates in Dramatic Play by Using Materials to Create Different Roles and Situations.

Other business ideas include a diner, a grocery store, a post office, or more! The possibilities are as endless as your imagination.

Activity Idea: We're Going on a Trip

2010-04-30T11:57:00.000-07:00

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?

Activity Idea: Recharge Your Batteries

2010-04-16T15:28:00.001-07:00

While childhood health has always been a hot topic, recently the topic has gotten even more attention particularly with First Lady Obama's "Let's Move" initiative to combat childhood obesity. Teacher QuickSource® offers many ideas and activities that make it easy to incorporate physical health into your daily lessons and classroom.

So why is physical health so important early childhood education? Preschool QuickSource® reminds us that "young children learn best when they have healthy minds and bodies." Planning activities that involve fine and gross motor development and good nutrition can promote a child's physical health and development.

Here's a fun activity called Recharge Your Batteries to try that teaches children to recognize the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods and how healthy foods make their bodies grow. For this activity, you will need: a small vehicle or flashlight that uses a battery, a food pyramid chart, plastic food representing healthy and unhealthy foods.

Let's get started!

1. Show the children the vehicle (or flashlight) that is used and how it works.

2. Remove the battery from the item. Show the children that now it does not work because it does not have any energy to make it work.

3. Explain that our bodies are very similar to the vehicle (or flashlight). If we don't put healthy food in our body, it will act like the battery has been removed and we will have no energy.

4. Using the food pyramid and the plastic food, show the children healthy and unhealthy foods and help them determine in which group each food would belong.

5. Encourage the children to make good choices to keep their batteries charged.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guide: PH5 Demonstrates Independence in Hygiene and Nutrition (page 58).

Use storytime to supplement this activity and build your students' understanding of healthy foods. Encourage the children to think about and talk about foods they like to eat. Are they healthy or unhealth?

How was this activity? What other materials/items have you found that also work for this activity?

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!

Activity Idea: Animal Habitats

2010-04-02T09:13:00.000-07:00

Now that spring is officially here and the Easter Bunny is on his way, it's a perfect time for children to learn about animals, particularly the ones they may have seen depicted on spring cards and candies and are beginning to see in parks, yards and gardens.

Kindergarten QuickSource® tells us that "children are natural scientists and their curiosity leads them to seek answers to questions and make connections. By experimenting, making predictions, exploring, testing observations and investigating, children learn about the world around they live in."

Here's an activity called Animal Habitats that helps children explore their world and begin to understand the animals and their habitats.

This is a great sensory activity to do with a partner or as a small group. For this activity, you will need a sand table , sandbox, or sand activity tubs; regular dry/wet sand or moldable sand; sand tools including shovels and rakes; assorted animals, toy landscape items, such as trees, rocks, sticks, etc.

Prior to this activity, you can read a story to the children about animal habitats such as Look Once, Look Again!

Let's get started:

1. Allow the children to create a habitat for whatever animal is being discussed. (Perhaps rabbits, chicks/birds or other animals associated with Easter and spring holiday festivities.)

2. After talking about the animal's habitat, encourage the children to make a habitat in the sand that would be appropriate for the animal.

3. Provide toy landscape items and any materials appropriate for creating the habitat. (Some locations may be easier to build if the sand is wet or moldable.)

Expand the lesson by encouraging the children to create a story about their chosen animal and its habitat. Where does it live? Why does the animal prefer their habitat over others? Encouraging the child to think about another animal that lives in a very different habitat (for example if the child has chosen a rabbit, think about a fish that lives in a pond), can help the child explore the differences in animal habitats. Let the children share the story they have created with the class.

For more great developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® and browse through all age areas, including Preschool, Kindergarten, Infant, Toddler, and Head Start. And with Earth Day around the bend, don't forget to explore activities promoting environmental awareness at Environmental QuickSource®.

Activity Idea: Creative Painting

2010-03-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

Preschool Quicksource® teaches us that "creative arts support all areas of child development and foster children's imagination and creativity. By painting a colorful picture, singing a song, dancing, and role-playing with their friends, children learn to express their thoughts, ideas, and feelings in new and creative ways."

Art activities provide valuable opportunities for children to not only spend additional time reflecting on lessons, but to learn out to express what they have learned in new and creative ways.

Here's an activity called "Creative Painting" that helps children explore different materials and media in art while exercising their creativity and imaginations. (You can easily add this activity to any lesson.) For this activity, you will need: Paper for painting, various colors of tempera paints, various painting instruments, painting aprons or smocks.

Let's get started!

1. Give the children an opportunity to explore painting with different types of instruments. Besides brushes, you may want to provide: rollers, foam brushes, cotton balls, hair brushes, crumples plastic bags, blocks, sponges, scrubbers, etc.

2. Allow the children to explore how each instrument creates a different mark on the paper.

3. Encourage each child to create a picture or design that uses all of the instruments provided OR create a project using only one of the instruments provided.

If using POCET™, this Activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: CA 5 Explores Drawing, Painting, and Modeling with Different Materials and Media.

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!

Activity Idea: Love Our Families!

2010-02-17T13:53:00.000-08:00

February is Black History Month, and it's a perfect time to use POCET™ to help "children build their understanding of diversity in culture, family structure, ability, language, age, and gender in non-stereotypical ways." (NAEYC Accreditation Standards - Social/Emotional)

Preschool QuickSource® reminds us that "by nurturing children's self concept, teachers help them feel accepted and valued by the people who are most important to them."

Love Our Families! is an activity that encourages recognizing similarities and respecting differences among people. For this activity you will need: butcher paper, construction paper, or drawing paper, and art materials (including crayons, markers, pipe cleaners, and glue).

Prior to the activity, discuss with the children that families can be made up of parents and many children, or one child and one parent/caregiver, or in many other combinations.

Let's get started:
1. Give each child a piece of paper and art supplies.

2. Have each child draw the members of his/her family and help them label each person and/or pet.

3. Encourage the children to present their family portrait to the class.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: SE9 Shows Awareness of Individual Family Composition.

Use music and books to supplement this activity and expand your classroom's understanding of cultural diversity. (Putumayo World Playground and Ethnic Food Board Books)

For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® 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.

Counting the Moves!

2010-01-29T14:56:00.000-08:00

Children often greet the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday with heightened enthusiasm and extra energy. And for good reason - what child doesn't love the arts and crafts, the sweet treats, the classroom parties, and, of course, the Valentine cards? Because extra excitement around holidays can lead to difficulty focusing, this time of year offers a great opportunity for children to learn and grow through language and listening.

"Language is all around us, and nothing supports a child's language skills like early experiences with speaking and listening." (Kindergarten Quicksource®)

Here is a great activity called Counting the Moves! which supports listening and understanding through following directions. For this activity you will need: large dice or spinner with numbers, playground equipment (optional), large activity space (inside or outside)

Let's get started:

1. Tell the children that you are going to see how well they follow directions.

2. Have the children spread out in the activity space.

3. Allow the children to help decide on a movement. For example, jumping up and down in one place.

4. Have a child roll the dice (or spin the spinner). Tell the children what number is indicated on the dice or have the children count the number of dots.

5. Have the children jump up and down the indicated number of times. This is also fun to do when the group counts the jumps out loud.

6. Repeat the activity with another movement and another child rolling the dice.

If using POCET™ , this activity correlates to Developmental Guide: LG2 Follows Directions

For more great developmentally-apppropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® 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®.

Sample Parent Letter

2009-09-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

Using the POCET system provides teachers a way to observe and track progress of each individual child, which can be greatly beneficial when it comes to communicating with parents. Below is a sample letter than can be sent from teachers to parents about POCET and what the teacher will be tracking throughout the school year. This letter also introduces parents to the checklist folder and the criteria used to evaluate the various skills, which they will see evaluated during the year.

Dear Family Members:

Your child’s classroom has chosen to use the Preschool Outcomes Checklist and Evaluation Tool (POCET) to track your child’s progress in developing preschool skills.

Several times throughout the school year, we will update your child’s progress using the Developmental Checklist Folder that is part of the POCET tracking system. The checklist folder contains the 68 developmental guidelines that have been determined to be appropriate skills for preschool children. These 68 skills are developed to help your child be prepared to enter kindergarten at the age of 5.

When you receive a copy of your child’s developmental checklist folder, you will notice that each skill is scored with three different criteria:

· Not Evident (your child cannot demonstrate the skill at this time)
· Needs Support (your child demonstrates part of the skill or making progress toward mastery)
· Competent (your child reliably demonstrates the skill) It is important to remember that the developmental guidelines are always listed in developmental order (the order most children develop the skills).

Depending on your child’s age, it may be appropriate for your child to score ‘not evident’ in areas that are not yet appropriate for your child. Although the skills are listed in developmental order, children develop at different rates. Help us support your child in making continual progress through these important early childhood skills.

Working together we can prepare your child to enter kindergarten.

Sincerely,

Child’s Teacher

POCET for Back to School

2009-09-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

Fall often means new classes and students, new projects, new teachers... It's a season of new beginnings. Starting your school year with POCET is a great way to provide parents and teachers a common ground for communication about each child's progress. POCET provides early childhood educators with six easy steps to individualized assessment, and it can be used with any preschool curriculum.
With POCET as their guide, any teacher can identify an appropriate sequence of preschool skills, using developmental guidelines. provided in the POCET binders. These guidelines are divided into eight domains of learning and focus on school-readiness skills, such as language, literacy, math, social & emotional, creative arts, approaches to learning, science and physical health and safety. POCET provides activities that help build skills in each domain, and provides tracking sheets that allow educators to clearly track a child's progress in each domain.
Here's an example of a a language domain activity:
Skill: Follows Directions
Activity: Follow the Leader
Have the child/children imitate whatever motion the leader chooses. The teacher should be the first leader. As children master following this one-step direction (for example, clapping, hopping, winking, waving, etc.) have them take turns being the leader.
There are more listening-skill-building exercises on TeacherQuickSource as well.
Starting the year off with POCET gives teachers an organized, simple way to begin observing and tracking the learning progress of the children in their care.

Summertime Fun Through Physical Health & Safety

2009-06-26T11:19:00.000-07:00

Summer brings us more opportunities to learn and grow through outdoor play. Within Kindergarten QuickSource®, we learn:

"Physical Health and Safety supports a child’s overall education and growth. Children learn best when they have healthy minds and bodies. You can promote a child’s physical health and development by planning activities that involve fine and gross motor development and by teaching good nutrition and hygiene."

This summer, involve the kids in active play on most days of the week in order to promote optimal physical health and development.

Find FREE activities that will reinforce gross and fine motor skills, the understanding of basic safety rules, the importance of regular physical activity and an overall healthy lifestyle.

Moms, Dads, Teachers, Childcare Providers: get started with the following activity, Throwing and Catching. You will need a soft beanbag and a target (optional).

Let’s Get Started:

1. One of the best ways to teach children throwing and catching is to use beanbags. Beanbags don’t roll away and soft beanbags allow for safe activity without injury.

2. For children just learning this skill, have them choose a target. An actual beanbag toss game could be used, or the target can even be as simple as just a spot on the wall.

3. Allow the child to practice tossing the beanbag at the target.

4. When each child has practiced, pair the children and allow them to try to throw the bag directly into their partner’s hands. The partner will try to catch the bag.

5. When the children are able to catch the bag regularly, move them to soft sponge balls. They will roll, but the child should be familiar with catching by this point.

Summer is the best time to explore the outdoors and be active; get the kids out there today!

Summer Countdown!

2009-05-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

There are only four more weeks left until the first day of summer! Can you believe it? The coming of summer calls for a countdown. Here's a great activity to try with your preschoolers, called Link-by-Link Calendar. This project will aid in the understanding of calendar days by making the concept of date and time more engaging and easier to visualize. Children will also track the days in the calendar by counting, which will serve as a useful introduction to the concept of numbers, dates, and time.

For this activity, you will need several sheets of construction paper, a pair of scissors for each child, and crayons or markers.

Activity: Link-by-Link Calendar

Goal: Participate in a Variety of Tasks, Complete Tasks and Express Curiosity about New Activities

Let's Get Started:

1. Distribute one strip of paper to each child

2. Assign a number to each child (this will represent each calendar date until the event)

3. Allow them to decorate their strips, making sure they include their assigned number on the strip.

4. When all of the strips are decorated, demonstrate how to create the first 'link' by securing both 1 1/2"ends of the strip together with tape.

5. Have the students line up in numerical order, with strips in hand.

6. The first child in line will link her strip by looping it into the center of yours and securing the 1 1/2" ends together with tape.

7. Each child will do the same, one by one, in numerical order, ultimately creating a chain.

8. At the end of each day that passes, have each child unlink his or her numbered link, corresponding to the calendar date.

9. Each day, the chain will allow young ones to 'see' how many days are left until the special day, just by looking at their chain and counting the links.

If using POCET™, this Activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: AL1 Participates in a Variety of Tasks, Completes Tasks and Expresses Curiosity about New Activities.

For more great developmentally-apppropriate activities, visit http://www.teacherquicksource.com/ 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®.

Active Play For Preschoolers

2009-04-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

Spring has sprung, and before you know it, summer will be here. It's time to get our little ones outside to soak up the sun and get moving! From Preschool QuickSource® we learn that "You can promote children's physical health and development by planning activities that involve fine and gross motor development and by teaching children good nutrition and hygiene." There's no better time to start than Springtime!

Here is a fun activity to try with your preschooler. Animal Moves is a great way to integrate gross motor skills into science curriculum. For this activity, you will need Animal Photo Cards or several pictures of animals.

Activity : Animal Moves

You can use animal imagery to encourage children to move and interact!

Goal: Introduction or enhancement of balance and control during locomotor movements.

Let's Get Started:

1. Show the children one of the animal pictures.

2. Discuss the movements of that animal.

3. Have the children move around the space pretending to be that animal.

4. Repeat the activity with a different animal.

If using POCET™, this Activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: PH 3 Demonstrates Balance and Control During Locomotor Movements.

For more fun activities to encourage and promote optimal physical health and gross motor skills development, turn to Teacher QuickSource® and browse through developmentally-appropriate activities for Preschool and Kindergarten age ranges. Click on Physical Health & Safety and try a variety of active play activities. Now get moving!

Earth Day is Almost Here!

2009-03-17T16:11:00.000-07:00

Earth Day is coming! Enjoy learning opportunities that bridge the creative arts & curriculum with environmental awareness. As we enjoy the daily treasures that the arrival of spring brings, we should aim to find ways to cultivate environmental awareness and appreciation. Look to Environmental Quicksource® for FREE activities for developing learning outcomes in arts & crafts and curriculum areas, all of which help to foster appreciation for the environment.

Here's a favorite activity to try for children ages 2 to 4 years. This is versatile enough to be done at home, daycare or preschool. You will need markers and journal notebooks.

Citrus Bird Feeders (ages 2-4)

Feeding the birds is a popular activity that toddlers enjoy. This activity will help them to connect with and care for nature. This type of bird feeder is suitable for children with allergies, and an alternative to the traditional peanut butter and pinecone feeder.

Goals:
Help connect with and care for nature

Let's Get Started:

1. Cut each piece of fruit in half. Using a large metal spoon, loosen the contents of each half of fruit. Put the birdseed into a bowl. Save one piece of fruit of each kind for the toddler to investigate

2. Show the toddler the fruit. Let her hold each kind, look at it, smell it, and taste it.

3. Show her the fruit cut in half.

4. Give her a spoon and encourage her to scoop out the contents of the fruit.

5. After the fruit has been cleaned out, give the toddler a scoop. Encourage her to scoop the birdseed out of the bowl and to fill the fruit with the seed.

6. Put the fruit halves on a windowsill and watch for birds.

Furthermore:
Take photographs of the birds that eat from the fruit. Make a bird-watching book. Encourage the toddler to draw a picture of the bird (keep in mind most toddlers are in the scribbling stage of fine motor development).

There are plenty of fun and simple ways to help children understand the importance of caring for our planet. Start with Environmental QuickSource® today, and celebrate Earth Day every day!

Spotlight on Sensory Awareness

2009-02-10T11:49:00.000-08:00

As Valentine's Day approaches, we are reminded of the warmth that springtime will usher in. Before you know it, March will be here! As the seasons change, all of our senses are engaged - from the sunrise, to the fresh smell of rainfall, to the crunch of leaves underneath our feet - there are so many 'events' that our senses take part in. Teach children to appreciate nature by simply taking the time to celebrate the changing of the seasons and make each a learning opportunity about the five senses.

Find several FREE age-appropriate activities for your young learners for developing sensory awareness at Infant and Toddler QuickSource®.

Here's an activity to try today, called That Smells. This experience correlates to correlates to Developmental Guideline: EA6: Notices Differences in Temperature, Smell and Taste.

Experience: That Smells

Let's Get Started:
1. The caregiver should always give children an opportunity to experience different smells.

2. Choose smells that are not strong, but pleasant and make an attempt to allow the child to smell the fragrance.

3. For example, the teacher can let a child smell a particular food or flower and comment on the smell. The caregiver may want to model smelling the smell.

4. The caregiver should try to avoid using strong or unpleasant smells with the infant.

A New Year Brings New Learning Opportunities for Baby!

2009-01-05T10:27:00.000-08:00

A new year brings a wealth of learning opportunities and experiences. Focus on finding learning opportunities in everyday objects and everyday activities. You can play a gentle game of tug-of-war with a blanket, look and talk about colors in a photo, or dance to music. You can play hide and seek with Baby's stuffed animals, or take Baby on a nature walk. There are so many simple activities you can do!

As always, look to Infant and Toddler QuickSource® for a plethora of fun, simple and FREE activities that you can do from the comfort of your own home!

Try the following activity today! This will help Baby with motor skills.

Experience: Watching for Smiles

Let's Get Started:

1. Grinning will usually turn into smiles after a short period of time. The caregiver should engage the child so that the smiling response becomes more frequent.

2. The smiling reflex may begin to exhibit itself when the child is sleeping. It is not uncommon to see an infant smiling in her sleep. Although this may be a reflex or the result of a pleasant dream, the child is beginning to have this physical response.

3. When an infant begins to have eye contact and engages the person talking to her, the caregiver will begin to see slight grins.

This experience correlates to Developmental Guideline: EP2: Smiles.

Have fun with the everyday, and create learning opportunities out of the simple things!

Celebrating the Environment This Holiday Season

2008-11-24T10:41:00.000-08:00

As the holiday season approaches, we gather together to reflect on the past year and all of the things we are thankful for. One thing we should include on this list is the bounty that Mother Nature bestows on us with every season—from the blue skies, to the much-needed rain, to the sun rays that stretch over us while we're at play, to the wintry evenings that make us thankful for the warmth of family and friends. Why not use this time to emphasize to young ones the importance of caring for the environment? Live by example and take steps to help children be environmental stewards at an early age. This correlates to Preschool POCET™ Developmental Guideline SE10: Demonstrates awareness of community helpers and environment.

To start, look to Environmental QuickSource® for FREE activities that will help you connect conservation concepts to classroom activities. This convenient resource will help you explore ways to educate children on the importance of caring for the environment to help make the earth a healthier place. And Discount School Supply also offers a plethora of other FREE eco-resources such as tips, activities, and products that bring us closer to keeping the Earth a beautiful, sustainable place.

Remind kids that we can all take steps to reduce our ecological footprint. Together, we can make a difference. Small steps lead to great strides in helping care for the planet and ensuring that young people have a healthy place in which to learn and grow.

Laying the Groundwork for Literacy Success

2008-10-27T09:50:00.000-07:00

In Preschool Activity QuickSource®, we learn that "Literacy begins by immersing children in literacy-rich environments and fostering a love of language and reading. You can support young children's emerging literacy skills by planning activities that involve discriminating sounds, identifying print, recognizing letters, developing a love of books, writing, and appreciating the rhythm of language."

At the core of literacy development, children first learn to identify sounds associated with letters, then, letter combinations associated with written words. Be sure to engage early learners in activities that focus on sounds. Here's one to try, Environmental Sounds, that correlates to POCET™ Developmental Guideline: LT1 Identifies Sounds in the Environment and in Speech.

Before you start the activity, make sure you have comfortable shoes and clothing for each child, and anything else you might need for a walking field trip. Also, you might want to have walking rope on hand, and to further reinforce learning, consider the Outside Sounds Listening Lotto Game.

Let's Get Started:

1. Prepare for a walking field trip, either around the neighborhood or to a local park.

2. As the children are walking during the field trip, ask them to identify any sounds that they hear during the field trip. Encourage the children to be alert to any sound they hear while on the field trip.

3. Sounds that might occur during a walking field trip might include: cars, trucks, buses, trains or planes in some areas, birds, children stepping, people talking/laughing, etc.

Find more activities like these at www.TeacherQuickSource.com and help early learners build the foundation for literacy success.

Back To School!

2008-09-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

With the advent of a new school year, it's the ideal time to make sure you have all the materials you need for your assessment system.

Remember to stock up on Checklist Folders, Lesson Plans, Portfolio Pads, or anything else you might be running low on. Remember to browse the Infant & Toddler supporting materials too!

Also, mix up your daily routine by engaging young ones in new activities every week. You can always find FREE, age-appropriate activities on www.TeacherQuickSource.com . Freshen up your day-to-day routine while enriching and expanding the learning possibilities!

Here's a simple and fun back-to-school activity that correlates to POCET™ Developmental Guideline: PH1 Demonstrates Eye-Hand Coordination. This activity is called Pat, Pat, Clap, Clap.

All you will need for the following activity is you, a child, and Get up & Go! Dice.

Let's Get Started:

1. Set up a face-to-face partnership with two children.

2. Teach the children to pat their thighs twice and then clap their hands twice.

3. When the children are comfortable with those motions, add a cross clap with their partner (child claps partner’s right hand with his right hand then repeat with the left hands). The activity would then include pat, pat, clap, clap, cross-clap, cross clap.

For more FREE activities, visit Teacher QuickSource®.

Spotlight on Emergent Creative Arts

2008-08-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

Within Toddler QuickSource®, we learn that "toddlers [from 18-24 months old] begin to feel rhythms and understand that they can also create a type of music with simple instruments and singing." You can reinforce early music skill development with simple songs or sounds.

One great way to start is with animal sounds. Try an activity called Quack Like a Duck, in which you initiate the sound of a duck quacking, and encourage your toddler to imitate. View the full activity, along with more recommended activity ideas at Infant and Toddler QuickSource®.

Remember, POCET™ Infant and Toddler is an invaluable, easy-to-use resource that provides comprehensive support across eight domains of emergent learning. With POCET™ Infant and Toddler, you can tailor interactions, routines, materials and activities to each child's individual needs.

Top Areas of Focus For Toddlers

2008-07-21T12:32:00.000-07:00

Did you know that language, cognitive skills, social emotional development and physical development are the four areas of focus for the toddler group? Learn more about this on Infant and Toddler Quicksource®, and take a look at the accompanying activities for all four of these areas. Remember, toddlers enjoy learning by engaging in activities that provide a wide range of experiences that involve their 5 senses and their growing bodies.

One favorite language activity to try is called I Can, which emphasizes language learning using animal sounds. Browse companion products at DiscountSchoolSupply.com to help inspire more fun activities for toddlers.

Remember to visit Infant and Toddler Quicksource® for even more FREE activity ideas for all domains of learning, including Emergent Literacy, Emergent Mathematics, Emergent Social and Emotional, Emergent Creative Arts, Emergent Science, and Emergent Physical Health and Safety.

Summer is Here! Get Moving!

2008-06-16T13:25:00.000-07:00

Summer is almost here, and outdoor play will be keeping your young ones busy. There's no better time than now to review the POCET™ developmental guidelines for Physical Health and Safety . Under Motor Skills, you will find the following:

PH1: Demonstrates eye-hand coordination.
PH2: Begins to show fine motor dexterity and control.
PH3: Demonstrates balance and control during locomotor movements.
PH4: Uses large muscles to manipulate objects.

And, underneath Health and Safety, you will find:
PH5: Demonstrates independence in hygiene and nutrition.
PH6: Understands basic health and safety rules.

Look to Teacher QuickSource for activities for each of the Physical Health & Safety developmental guidelines above. Also, be sure to browse companion products for the correlating activities. Simply visit www.DiscountSchoolSupply.com/POCET and click on the age-appropriate category under Curriculum Companions to find matching products.

Finally, take a look at the Active Play category at www.DiscountSchoolSupply.com for inspiration on more summertime activities - and get going!

Foster Imagination and Creativity Through Creative Arts

2008-05-20T10:01:00.000-07:00

Look no further than the Original POCET™ for a plethora of Creative Arts activities to inspire, motivate and engage young children. Preschool Activity QuickSource® reminds us that "Creative Arts support all areas of child development and foster children's imagination and creativity. By painting a colorful picture, singing a song, dancing, and role-playing with their friends, children learn to express their thoughts, ideas, and feelings in new and creative ways." And, several studies suggest that art promotes social and emotional development, cognitive development, critical thinking/problem solving skills, spatial relationships, and a sense of independence.

So draw, sing, or dance today - and bring out the artist in your child!

Don't forget to browse companion products correlated specifically to the Creative Arts developmental guideline for preschoolers.

Spotlight on Language : Birth to 6 Months of Age

2008-04-15T11:04:00.000-07:00

Within Infant and Toddler Quicksource®, we learn that "Brain researchers agree that the development of language is critical during [birth to six months of age]. The ability to listen, understand and eventually speak begins to develop soon after birth...The development of language during this time will affect the child’s entire life as she begins to listen, respond and communicate."

Visit Infant and Toddler Quicksource® for critical insights on learning domains including Emergent Language for infants ages birth to 6 months - another great way to supplement POCET™ Infant Toddler.

Support a language-rich environment for infants by exploring and engaging in a wide range of age-appropriate activities today.

You can start with activities that promote and develop Listening and Understanding and Speaking and Communicating.

Be sure to visit Infant and Toddler Quicksource® for even more FREE activity ideas for all domains of learning, including Emergent Literacy, Emergent Mathematics, Emergent Social and Emotional, Emergent Creative Arts, Emergent Science, and Emergent Physical Health and Safety.

Discover Supporting Materials for POCET™ Infant and Toddler

2008-03-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

Find a wealth of products to support age-appropriate activities and experiences for POCET™ Infant and Toddler. Our POCET™ Infant Product List and Toddler Product List guide you through supplementary products in all areas of skill development, including Emergent Language, Emergent Literacy, Emergent Creative Arts, Emergent Social and Emotional, Emergent Science, and much more. View the POCET™ Infant Product List and the Toddler Product List today and maximize the learning possibilities.

A Great Companion to POCET™ Infant and Toddler

2008-02-15T12:02:00.001-08:00

Infant and Toddler QuickSource® is a great companion for the new POCET™ Infant and Toddler! With Infant QuickSource®, you can observe and identify developmental stages for infants. You will also find experiences that help reinforce and support developmental milestones, aiming to build the foundation of learning. Plus, Toddler QuickSource® allows you to focus on language, cognitive skills, social emotional development and physical development – the four critical areas of learning for the toddler group. Visit Infant and Toddler QuickSource® today!

More About POCET™ Infant and Toddler

2008-01-17T11:12:00.000-08:00

POCET™ Infant and Toddler supports and encourages development through observation and tracking. This set includes:

● 1 complete Infant Program
● 1 complete Toddler Program
● 10 Developmental Checklist Folders for infants
● 15 Developmental Checklist Folders for toddlers
● Bi-weekly Care Plans for 10 infants for one year (260 care plans)
● Weekly Group Lesson Plans for toddlers (52 plans)

To learn more, visit POCET™ Infant and Toddler at Discount School Supply.

Steps for NEW POCET™ - Infant and Toddler

2007-12-13T07:36:00.000-08:00

STEP 1 - Identify Appropriate Sequence of Developmental Stages
Developmental Guidelines included in each program provide a scope and sequence of the developmental stages that occur during a child's first 18 months and also the stages and skills that emerge during a child's toddler months.

STEP 2 - Provide Support for Skill Development
Each program offers three suggested experiences or activities that help caregivers and teachers support and encourage a child's progress toward each new skill or behavior described in the Developmental Guidelines.

STEP 3 - Record Individual Progress
Developmental Checklist Folders provide an easy way to organize individualized data on each infant or toddler's progress. The Checklist Folder can be updated to record each child's progress, which can be shared regularly with parents.

STEP 4 - Use Data to Inform Care and Instruction
POCET™ Infant and Toddler provides Individual Care Plans for up to 10 infants, and Group Lesson Plans for toddlers. Caregivers and teachers can use information gathered in the Checklist Folders and previous plans to create individualized Care Plans and Lesson Plans.

Announcing NEW POCET - Infant and Toddler!

2007-11-02T10:57:00.000-07:00

POCET™ Infant and Toddler contains two complete and separate easy-to-use programs: one for infants, ages birth to 18 months, and one for toddlers, ages 18 to 36 months. Each program allows the teacher to track development by identifying developmental milestones for infants and toddlers, and each program offers age- appropriate activities and experiences. POCET™ Infant and Toddler will help to tailor interactions, routines, materials and activities to each child's individual needs. Read more.

Developmental Guidelines

2007-10-08T15:29:00.000-07:00

Now available - view all of the Developmental Guidelines for POCET in sequential order:

Language(LG)
Literacty (LT)
Mathematics (MA)
Social & Emotional (SE)
Creative Arts (CA)
Approaches to Learning (AL)
Science (SC)
Physical Health and Safety (PH)

Products Matched to Each POCET Guideline - Creative Arts

2007-09-10T10:25:00.000-07:00

Find the right products matched with the right curriculum companion! Regarding the Creative Arts (CA) portion in POCET, find a developmentally appropriate product aligned with each outcome.

CA1: Participates in Musical Activities - find the Bean Bag Activities CD to get kids moving, dancing and part in fun bean bag games, dances and activities.

CA2: Uses Musical Instruments for Musical Activities - find the Toddler Rhythm Band to encourage exploration with rhythm.

CA3: Demonstrates Feelings through Movement and Music - find the Kids in Motion CD to get kids moving and singing.

CA4: Recognizes and Moves to Different Musical Beats - find the Rainbow Dancing Wrist Bands to enhance dance movements and other gross motor actions.

CA5: Explores Drawing, Painting and Modeling with Different Materials and Media - find the Colorations® Simply Washable Tempera to encourage painting through rich, bright, creamy and ultra-washable colors.

CA6: Plans and Work Independently through the Process of Art Activities - find the Construction Paper for open-ended activities to encourage thinking and planning through an art activity.

CA7: Verbally Expresses Ideas about Art and Completed Projects - find the Big Project Box to encourage children to make their own decisions and discuss what they would like to make, and then talk about it once it's finished.

CA8: Participates in Dramatic Play by Using Materials to Create Different Roles and Situations - find the Career Hats to spark imaginations and role play.

Products Matched to Each POCET Guideline - Social/Emotional

2007-08-07T15:51:00.000-07:00

Find the right products matched with the right curriculum companion! Regarding the Social/Emotional (SE) portion in POCET, find a developmentally appropriate product aligned with each outcome.

SE1: Show Awareness of Self and Knows Personal Information and SE2: Displays Confidence and Independence in a School Setting - find the Jumbo Finger Paint Paper Kids to encourage children to depict themselves participating in their favorite school activity.

SE3: Expresses Feelings and Is Aware of How Actions Affect Self and Others - find the Moods and Emotions Classroom Set to help children learn to recognize and describe their own feelings and those of people around them.

SE4: Follows Rules and Uses Material Purposefully in Cooperative Play and SE6: Interacts Appropriately with Others by Helping, Sharing, Discussing and Devloping Friendships - find the Classroom Canvas Quilt to encourage children to follow rules and cooperate as they each create their own quilt square.

SE5: Follows Adult Direction - find the Transition Time Book to turn stressful transition times into fun learning experiences with practical, simple activities.

SE7: Demonstrates Give and Take Interactions and Is Able to Negotiate Conflicts - find the Girl and Boy Puppets as the perfect prop for role playing conflict negotiation and modeling good manners.

SE8: Shows Respect and Understanding of Individual Differences and Similarities - find the Colorations® Jumbo Washable Stamp Pads for children to make thumbprints on paper to show that everyone is different.

SE9: Shows Awareness of Individual Family Composition and SE10: Demonstrates Awareness of Community Helpers and Environment - find the My World Posters depicting families, community places, community helpers and children in all sorts of settings.

Products Matched to Each POCET Guideline - Mathematics

2007-07-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

Find the right products matched with the right curriculum companion! Regarding the Mathematics (MA) portion in POCET, find a developmentally appropriate product aligned with each outcome.

MA1: Can Explore with Materials - find the Activity Table and Activity Tubs to encourage exploration.

MA2: Recognizes Spatial Relationships - find the Toss and Learn Game Board to reinforce "above," "below," "in front," "in back," "to the side," and more as children take aim and toss bean bags at the sturdy game board.

MA3: Classifies and Sorts by Attributes - find the Wooden Pattern Blocks - 250 Pieces to help children sort by shape and color.

MA4: Creates Patterns by Extending and Comparing - find the 500 Unifix Cubes Set to assist children on creating repeating patterns.

MA5: Shows 1-to-1 Correspondence and Recognizes the Manyness of Sets - find the Counting Bears - 96 Pieces in Jar to combine and separate objects based on colors and size.

MA6: Understands Ordering. - find the Classroom Calendar and Weather Center to help children work on the order of days of the week and months of the year.

MA7: Demonstrates Understanding and Recognition of Numerals 0-9 - find the Insect Classifying and Patterning Chart to help children connect the numeral symbol to the number of counted objects.

MA8: Recognizes and Manipulates Basic Shapes - find the Shape Puzzle to stimulate perceptual skills through the different colored and sized geometric shapes.

MA9: Understands the Concept of Measurement - find the Balancing Bear Scale to help children understand the concept of balance and measurement.

Products Matched to Each POCET Guideline - Literacy

2007-06-05T15:26:00.000-07:00

Find the right products matched with the right curriculum companion! Regarding the Literacy (LT) portion in POCET, find a developmentally appropriate product aligned with each outcome.

LT1: Identifies Sounds in the Environment and in Speech - find the Toddler Rhythm Band to lead children from their first discovery of noises and sounds to the world of making music.

LT2: Matches Sounds and Rhymes in Familiar Activities- find the 1, 2 Buckle My Shoe Nursery Rhyme Surprise Box to help children "hear" rhymes.

LT3: Shows Awareness of Beginning Sounds in Words - find the Beginning Sounds Pocket Chart to help children to hear the sounds at the beginning of words by looking at the pictures and trying to identify the beginning sound in each word.

LT4: Shows Awareness that Words Can Begin with the Same Sound- find the Alphabet Round-Abouts Puzzles to help children learn their way around the alphabet .

LT5: Identifies Word Parts (Syllables) in Words - find the Unifix Cubes - 500 Pieces to help reinforce the word part concept for children.

LT6: Shows Awareness of How Books Work - find the Books You Know the Words to - 6 Titles to introduce and reinforce the parts that make up books.

LT7: Shows Interest in Reading - Related Activities - find the Foam Journal Craft Kit - Kit for 12 to help create an interest in books and reading.

LT8: Shows the Ability to Retell, Dictate and Predict Story Outcomes - find the Jump, Frog, Jump Storytime Surprise Box to encourage children to predict what might come next in the story. Children can also retell the story with the help of the characters.

LT9: Recognize Environmental Print and Other Forms of Print - find the Block Play Traffic Signs, Set of 15 to help reinforce environmental print.

LT10: Understands the Connection Between Spoken and Written Words and that Speech Can be Written Down - find the Ruled Chart Tablet to help illustrate the connection between spoken and written word.

LT11: Understands that Letters Create Words and Words are Read from Left to Right - find the Magnetic Letters and Numbers to help children start to understand that letters make up words and words are read from left to right.

LT12: Understands that Writing Is a Way of Communicating - find the Colorations® Extra Large Crayons - Set of 200 and Picture Story Newsprint - 500 sheets to make writing fun by creating notes and more.

LT13: Experiments with Different Writing Tools and Materials - find the Coloration® Washable Sidewalk Chalk - 20 Pieces, Smooth and Silky Art Sticks - Set of 24, and Colorations® Washable Chubby-Tipped Markers to let children explore different writing materials.

LT14: Represents Stories and Experiences through Pictures and Dictation - find the I'm Special Self-Discovery Journal - Set of 10 to help children become familiar with putting their thoughts on paper.

LT15: Progresses from Using Scribbles to Using Letter-Like Symbols - find the Colorations® Best Value Unscented Dough - 18lbs. to help children to get the "feel" of letters and how they are formed.

LT16: Indentifies the Alphabet as a Special Category of Symbols - find the Alphabet Rug to display the alphabet at just the right level for children to really notice.

LT17: Recognizes the Beginning Letters in Familiar Words - find the Spell It! Picture Puzzle, Transportation to help children touch and feel and sound out the beginning letter of each familiar word.

LT18: Identifies at Least 10 Letters of the Alphabet - find the Alphabet Lace-Ups - Set of 26 to develop children's fine motor skills while enabling the children to get to know each letter better.

LT19: Begins to Associate Letters with Sounds - find the Bilingual Alphabet Bean Bags to help reinforce the connection between letters and their sounds in both English and Spanish.

Products Matched to Each POCET Guideline - Language

2007-05-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Find the right products matched with the right curriculum companion! Regarding the Language (LG) portion in POCET, find a developmentally appropriate product aligned with each outcome.

LG1: Exhibits Beginning Listening Skills (Attending) - find the Old MacDonald Song & Story Set to encourage children to listen, sing and play along.

LG2: Follows Directions - find the Tabletop Pocket Chart, 4 Step Sequencing to encourage children to use their reasoning skills, in turn teaching the children to follow directions.

LG3: Understands More Complex Vocabulary and Displays Listening Comprehension - find the The Itsy Bisty Spider Song and Story Set to provide an engaging way to introduce new vocabulary words.

LG4: Clearly Pronounces Words - find the Safe-Sided Mirror, 24" Square to help children to practice their pronounciation visually.

LG5: Express Ideas and Responds to Questions with Complete Sentences and More Compex Vocabulary - find the Animal Hand Puppets to help get children talking, telling stories and using new words.

2007-04-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

POCET was created to assist early childhood educators in organizing and maintaining an assessment system to monitor each child's development and to guide instructional practices. This individualization tool is organized to support any preschool curriculum chosen for the classroom. POCET is divided into six easy steps.

Step 1: Identify Appropriate Sequence of Preschool Skills
Step 2: Provide Skill Development
Step 3: Record Individual Progress
Step 4: Formally Assess
Step 5: Chart Progress
Step 6: Use Data to Inform Instruction

To learn more, visit Discount School Supply's Assessment Tools.

Assessment Chart Adjustment!

2007-03-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

The column for SC6 (the last Science Developmental Guideline) was inadvertently left off the Assessment Chart. Record the information for SC6 in the margin to the right of the graph.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Formal Assessment

2007-03-09T14:04:00.000-08:00

Assessment is part of any good early childhood program that focuses on individualizing the curriculum for each child. An effective assessment approach should include both informal observation and a formal assessment procedure to chart individual progress. It is important to remember that every child is unique and chilren tend to develop skills at different rates. No assessment program should be used as the sole indicator for student placement or diagnosis.

POCET's Formal Assessment gives the teacher an opportunity to gather concrete information about each preschool child's progress and preparation for kindergarten. Although informal observations and assessment should be occurring daily, the Formal Assessment is designed to take place three times per school year and to document the progress of each child in Language, Literacy and Mathematics.

Learn more about Formal Assessment with POCET.

Another POCET Physical Health and Safety Example

2007-02-08T11:52:00.000-08:00

POCET provides four basic activities for each of the 68 Developmental Guidelines which provide a scope and sequence of skills for Language, Literacy and Mathematics, plus five other domains of learning.

Here is another example for the Physical Health and Safety domain:
Balance Beam
This activity is good for children to practice maintaining balance and concentrating on body control. The balance beam should be very low to the floor. Many playgrounds and multipurpose rooms have a balance beam. If a balance beam is not available, lay a long 2" x 4" board on the floor, making sure it is on a flat, non-slippery surface. Have the children practice walking on the balance beam.

Another POCET Science Example

2007-01-10T09:01:00.000-08:00

POCET provides four basic activities for each of the 68 Developmental Guidelines which provide a scope and sequence of skills for Language, Literacy and Mathematics, plus five other domains of learning.

Here is an example for the Science domain:
Paper Cutouts
Have the children create paper cutouts of their entire body, one section at a time. Have them cutout the following parts: a head; an uppper body with arms, hands; a lower body with legs and feet. After they have all of the parts cut out, have them glue the parts together to create a paper cutout of their body. The cutouts might be out of proportion, but that is the beauty of the project completed by a child!

Another POCET Approaches to Learning Example

2006-12-12T14:16:00.000-08:00

POCET provides four basic activities for each of the 68 Developmental Guidelines which provide a scope and sequence of skills for Language, Literacy and Mathematics, plus five other domains of learning.

Here is an example for the Approaches to Learning domain:
Plan for the Day
To help a child who is having trouble completing activities, have the child create a plan for the day. Visit with the child at the beginning of the day and ask the child what she would like to accomplish that day. Write down the goals for the day and read them back to the child. Check with the child several times during the day to see how she is following the plan. This reminder will help her get back on track if she is easily distracted from her plan.

Another POCET Creative Arts Example

2006-11-16T16:09:00.000-08:00

POCET provides four basic activities for each of the 68 Developmental Guidelines which provide a scope and sequence of skills for Language, Literacy and Mathematics, plus five other domains of learning.

Here is an example for the Creative Arts domain:
Cheese Face Modeling
For each child, place 1 cup of grated cheese in a bowl. Add 3/4 cup of flour and 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise. With clean hands, mold the mixture together until it has a dough-like consistency. Place the cheese mound on a piece of waxed paper and allow the child (with clean hands) to create a funny face. Refrigerate the creation and eat at snack time.

Announcing an Exciting Upgrade to POCET!

2006-10-26T16:10:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that we have updated the class Assessment Chart component of POCET.

The Assessment Chart is an important tool that enables teachers to graph the class’ progress, identify gaps and tailor lesson plans to address them.

The new chart allows teachers to track children’s progress across all eight domains of learning. Previously, the chart only covered the Language, Literacy and Math content from the Formal Assessment.

The new version of the Assessment Chart is included with the refill pack of Lesson Plans (#POCETLP).

If you would like more information about this, please contact Loretta Ehrhart, Director of Product Development for Excelligence Learning Corporation, at lehrhart@excelligence.com.

Another POCET Social and Emotional Example

2006-10-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

POCET provides four basic activities for each of the 68 Developmental Guidelines which provide a scope and sequence of skills for Language, Literacy and Mathematics, plus five other domains of learning.

Here is an example for the Social and Emotional domain:
Formal Friendship Training
Children become more adept at friendship skills when they are proactively taught. Bestowing the formal status of friendship skills as part of class instruction increases their value. Take time during circle time to talk about how to make friends. Tapping the child lightly on the shoulder, calling the child by name and asking if you can enter play are all good beginning skills. When friendship problems arise in the class, take time during the next circle to model correct behavior and ways to be a good friend.

Another POCET Mathematics Example

2006-09-12T13:49:00.000-07:00

POCET provides four basic activities for each of the 68 Developmental Guidelines which provide a scope and sequence of skills for Language, Literacy and Mathematics, plus five other domains of learning.

Here is another example for the Mathematics domain:
Numeral Sculptures
As the children become familiar with recognizing the numeral symbols, give them an opportunity to mold the numbers. Wet sand, playdough or clay all work well to mold the number for both tactile and cognitive experiences. Make sure there is a good visual model of the numeral that the children are trying to create.

Another POCET Literacy Example

2006-08-15T10:31:00.000-07:00

POCET provides four basic activities for each of the 68 Developmental Guidelines which provide a scope and sequence of skills for Language, Literacy and Mathematics, plus five other domains of learning.

Here is another example for the Literacy domain:
Play Your Name
During circle time, try the activity, "Play Your Name." For this game, the children need to pick a movement for each word part in their name. The movements could include clapping, waving, jumping, smiling, sneezing, etc. Children with a one-word part (syllable) name need to only choose one action. Children with more than one word part should choose a different action for each word part. Example: Jordan chose to clap and stomp. He did two actions because his name has two word parts. JOR (clap), DAN (stomp). This game could turn into a "Follow the Leader" game with the other children doing the same actions as they say Jordan's name.

Another POCET Language Example

2006-07-25T11:12:00.000-07:00

POCET provides four basic activities for each of the 68 Developmental Guidelines which provide a scope and sequence of skills for Language, Literacy and Mathematics, plus five other domains of learning.

Here is another example for the Language domain:
Open-Ended Questioning
Asking open-ended questions encourages children to use more complete sentences and use more words in their responses. Instead of asking questions that can be answered with yes, no or another one-word answer, ask questions that require a complete response. Example: Instead of saying, "Would you like to go outside to the playground?" ask, "What would you like to do when we get outside?"

Discussions Regarding the Preschool Observation Checklist and Evaluation Tool (POCET)

Activity Idea: Painting Without a Brush

Activity Idea: Making Marks

Activity Idea: What Other Words Have a Beginning Sound to Match Your Name?

Activity Idea: Carrot Top

Activity Idea: My Family and Me

Activity Idea: Yellow Star, Yellow Star, What Do You See?

NEW Resource Added! Sample Family Letter

Activity Idea: Puzzle Me, Puzzle You!

Activity Idea: Beginning Music

Activity Idea: Where Did the Ice Go?

Activity Idea: Painting Without a Brush

Activity Idea: Trash Can Spelling

Activity Idea: Shape Scavenger Hunt

Activity Idea: Obstacle Course

Activity Idea: Yellow Star, Yellow Star What Do You See?

Activity Idea: Word of the Week

Activity Idea: Bug Camouflage

Activity Idea: Quack, Quack, Quack

Activity Idea: Can You Hear the Beat?

Activity Idea: Extending Patterns

Activity Idea: I Feel Happy When...

Activity Idea: Soap Snowpeople

Activity Idea: Hand and Toe Pictures

Activity Idea: Telling a Story with Puppets

Activity Idea: Number Collage

Activity Idea: Sparkling Sensory

Activity Idea: Animal Parade

Activity Idea: Daily Schedule

Activity Idea: Does It Float?

Activity Idea: Three Station Art Center

Activity Idea: Look for the Danger

Activity Idea: Colorful Caterpillar Collage

Activity Idea: Animal Moves

Activity Idea: Creepy Crawly Snakes

Activity Idea: Local Business in the Classroom

Activity Idea: We're Going on a Trip

Activity Idea: Recharge Your Batteries

Activity Idea: Animal Habitats

Activity Idea: Creative Painting

Activity Idea: Love Our Families!

Counting the Moves!

Sample Parent Letter

POCET for Back to School

Summertime Fun Through Physical Health & Safety

Summer Countdown!

Active Play For Preschoolers

Earth Day is Almost Here!

Spotlight on Sensory Awareness

A New Year Brings New Learning Opportunities for Baby!

Celebrating the Environment This Holiday Season

Laying the Groundwork for Literacy Success

Back To School!

Spotlight on Emergent Creative Arts

Top Areas of Focus For Toddlers

Summer is Here! Get Moving!

Foster Imagination and Creativity Through Creative Arts

Spotlight on Language : Birth to 6 Months of Age

Discover Supporting Materials for POCET™ Infant and Toddler

A Great Companion to POCET™ Infant and Toddler

More About POCET™ Infant and Toddler

Steps for NEW POCET™ - Infant and Toddler

Announcing NEW POCET - Infant and Toddler!

Developmental Guidelines

Products Matched to Each POCET Guideline - Creative Arts

Products Matched to Each POCET Guideline - Social/Emotional

Products Matched to Each POCET Guideline - Mathematics

Products Matched to Each POCET Guideline - Literacy

Products Matched to Each POCET Guideline - Language

Table of Contents

Assessment Chart Adjustment!

Formal Assessment

Another POCET Physical Health and Safety Example

Another POCET Science Example

Another POCET Approaches to Learning Example

Another POCET Creative Arts Example

Announcing an Exciting Upgrade to POCET!

Another POCET Social and Emotional Example

Another POCET Mathematics Example

Another POCET Literacy Example