Creating fun and educational games for preschoolers is integral to effective daycare management.
Preschool games are an excellent alternative for learners who struggle with pencil and paper instruction. They promote the willingness to learn and help build foundational skills in children. They're also great for engaging shy children in daycare activities.
Besides, a little fun every day doesn't harm anyone!
Without further ado, let's explore some fun and educational games for preschoolers that you can incorporate into your curriculum to deliver a more interactive learning experience.
1. Simon Says
In this classic preschool game, the teacher (Simon) gives some commands to the students.
Those that start with "Simon says" must be followed. For example, you could say, "Simon says touch your nose," "Simon says point to a circle," or "Simon says clap your hands."
In between, the teacher could say, "Touch your elbows" or "Count to five." Students who obey a command that doesn't begin with "Simon says" are out of the game.
The last kid standing wins!
You can make the game as easy or difficult as you like. Once the children get into the groove, try nominating one of them to be Simon.
This game helps improve the vocabulary and listening skills of preschoolers. It also helps strengthen their gross and fine motor skills. Additionally, by making the students point to particular shapes or colors, you can promote learning in a fun way.
2. Story Time Clap
The benefits of telling stories to children are no secret. But it's also natural for preschoolers to lose focus or interest mid-way.
This is where Story Time Clap comes in.
All you have to do is gather a group of kids to read a book or tell a story. Decide on one or more words that they must clap after hearing. Each time you say those words throughout the story, the children will have to clap.
Like Simon Says, this preschool game requires children to listen actively. It also teaches them how to recognize the different sounds that letters make, which is an important step toward learning how to read and write.
3. Touch and Feel Box
Touch and Feel Box is one of our favorite fun and educational games for preschoolers, as the whole classroom can participate at once.
First, you must put some items in an opaque box, each with a different texture. Blindfold the students or tell them to close their eyes before they touch and feel one of the items in the box.
Let each kid make a guess. Those that identify an item correctly win the game!
This game requires children to connect their senses to words as they describe how the item feels. Hence, it works wonders in building their language.
4. Duck, Duck, Goose
This exciting preschool game promotes discovery-driven learning, giving children an instant idea of how their decisions can play out in the real world. Thereby, it helps develop their strategic thinking skills.
Once participants are seated in a circle, one will walk around outside the circle, tapping each head and saying "duck." They must pick one kid to be the "goose" and say the word loudly after tapping their head.
Next, they must run fast around the circle and take the place of the "goose" before the other child can catch them. If they succeed, the "goose" will have to walk around the circle in the next round.
This game encourages children to think before picking a "goose." Everybody would want to pick a kid who's not paying attention or isn't ready to get up and start the chase.
5. Connect the Dots
This exciting game is excellent for familiarizing preschoolers with letters and numbers. It's designed to help kids develop their motor skills, visual perception, and problem-solving skills.
You must create a dotted picture of an animal, fruit, or something else and write a number or alphabet on each dot (in the correct order). The kids will trace those dots to complete the painting.
As children practice the game, they'll learn the correct order of numbers and letters. They'll also practice their motor skills by moving their fingers around the board while connecting the dots.
Bonus tip: Put up the completed paintings on the classroom walls, among other room art, to boost the student's confidence and acknowledge their efforts.
Final Words
Incorporating engaging activities into your curriculum makes sense if you want to take learning up a notch at your daycare center.
The fun and educational games for preschoolers in this post are great to start with. They'll keep your students entertained for hours while teaching them essential skills and concepts. As a bonus, check out some fun and easy exercises for preschoolers to promote their physical well-being alongside their intellectual skills.
For more information, check out our free resources for daycare providers.
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