Flex Preschool Activities: Creative Hands-On Sensory Learning and Fun! Part I
In this 4-week class, students will develop cognitive, social, physical, communicative and sensory skills. We will focus on fine motor skills
Teacher Elaine
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(176)
What's included
Class Experience
Welcome to this 4-week flex class where students have fun and learn! This is a flex class. There are NO LIVE MEETINGS! This class contains an at-home sensory activities to promote learning Students are encouraged to play, learn, imagine, and explore. The five senses are intentionally and actively engaged. Most experts agree that sensory play is essential to brain development. Consequently, brain connections are being made during sensory play. Young learners who join this class to learn these skills during play. Teacher Elaine will facilitate these sensory activities. She will incorporate vibrant colors, shapes, lines, patterns, and various mediums of fun. Teacher Elaine will demonstrate activities and exercises needed for sensory development plus everything a student needs before they begin to write. This is a flex class. Sensory play develops the following skills: Cognitive Fine motor Social Physical Communicative Sensory Some educators see sensory learning as the forerunner to STEAM. Young learners inadvertently apply the scientific method at play. Math, engineering, and art are byproducts of sensory play. Although in this class, there will be limited technology. What To Expect each week: A weekly supply list posted each Monday Substitution recommendations upon request Shopping solutions upon request Step-by-step fun instructional videos and/or pictures posted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Interactive posts containing a sensory quiz will be posted on Friday Young learners are requested post their results and respond to teacher generated questions on both Wednesdays and Fridays Students are encouraged to give peer based encouragement and compliments at least once a week Teacher access and availability for clarification, questions, and comments Monday-Friday Week 1 - Making ABC's,1-2-3, and Shapes with Playdough - Students learn to make homemade playdough to pat, shape, and roll dough - Students practice structured and unstructured play dough time. Week 2 - Using Sounds & Touch to Make Patterns & Homemade Instruments - Students will make instruments with beads, beans, or rice and count a beat - Students will make patterns using beads, beans or buttons Week 3 - Playtime with Sand, Rice, or Cornmeal - Prewriting Exercises & Hand-Eye Coordination Skills - Students will use a sensory tray or box for lesson to draw shapes and letters - Digging for treasure - parents bury items and student dig, sift, and sort Week 4 - Painting & More Painting - Finger painting exercises and fun art - Painting- Q-Tip Painting Students paint their own masterpiece using lines, circles, directions and dots -Salt Art -Ice Painting The benefits of a flex class: Teacher directed Student paced The classroom posts provide interactive activities where students can share comments, pictures, and results No live scheduled classes
Learning Goals
Students will have hours of play and skill development. They will develop muscle memory, hand-eye coordination, core strength, sensory, cognitive, physical, communicative, and social skills needed for:
Seat work
Color and shape identification
Counting, sorting, and spacing
Letter formation
Critical thinking
Play, exploration, and fun
*****THEY WILL DEVELOP SKILLS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE ABOVE TASKS******
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Health and safety are priorities in these labs. I try to be as inclusive as possible. As a mother and patient, I am familiar with allergens and sensitivities. Playdough contains known food allergens such as food color and gluten. In Week 3, we use sand, rice, flour, or cornmeal and non-toxic glue which can directly or indirectly contain allergens. In Week 4, we will use non-toxic finger paint that contains colors. Please understand that allergies and sensitivities are subject to a case by case situation. Food vendors can change production and facilities. Please check with your health care provider, allergen support group, and read product labels thoroughly to see if these materials are suitable for your learner. Also note there is a gluten free dough recipe available. Also, we will be using warm water, scissors, sand, and small items in class. Parental supervision is mandatory.
Supply List
A weekly supply list will be given each week: Week 1 - Making ABC's,1-2-3, and Shapes with Playdough plastic container for storage, flour, cream of tartar, salt, vegetable oil, water, food color, 2 bowls, spoon, tooth picks, rolling pin, cookie cutter, mat or board, safe knife, spoon, and fork( gluten free option: salt, corn starch, water, food coloring or plant based food coloring) Week 2 - Using Sounds & Touch to Make Patterns & Homemade Instruments beads, beans, buttons or rice, rubber bands, plastic Easter egg, non-toxic glue, markers, construction paper, can, empty plastic bottle Week 3 - Playtime with Sand, Rice, or Cornmeal -Prewriting Exercises & Hand-Eye Coordination Skills dish pan or plastic tray, sand, cornmeal, rice, or flour, kid-size tongs, small sieve or sand shovel, ten small items to bury Week 4 - Painting & More Painting non-toxic finger paint, lined paper, construction paper, finger paint, Q-tips(generic brand), wipes or paper towel
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
https://www.thankyourbody.com/homemade-gluten-free-playdough/
Joined November, 2020
4.9
176reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Illinois Teaching Certificate
As a home educator, I enjoyed teaching Early Childhood development. I researched Frederick Frobel, the history of kindergarten, Frank Lloyd Wright, and various curriculum. I have experience working with young learners and helping them develop skills. I had the opportunity visit several interactive exhibits and volunteered for an after school zoological program. I served on their board for a few years. Teaching science, math, reading, culture, and writing through play, exploration, and imagination is my passion. I discovered that empowerment, fine motors, cognitive, social, communicative, physical, and sensory skills are developed through kinesthetic-tactile learning. Reviews
Live Group Class
$24
weekly4 weeks
Completed by 1 learner
No live video meetings
Ages: 3-5
