The Tricks of the Trade:
Getting started with a preschool, there are some important basics.
As soon as I have my class list I make what I call the Name Stencil. I use a Cricut machine. (If you aren't familiar with this amazing machine see the link below.) Before I had this machine I was writing in bubble letters and cutting them out by hand, then laminating them. It is time consuming for a big class, but if you just have one, or a few kiddos its fine. I start the year with a big 2 inch size and then by January they are ready for the smaller 1 inch size that is closer to the lines on paper for kindergarten. I always put a sticker on the front so they know where to start, otherwise they write their name backwards on a regular basis by using the backside. The kids know them as "Name Helpers" I store them in with the pencil holder on the table so they can grab them on their own. See photo below with red stencil of 'Dylan'.
What I love about this is that 3 and 4 yr olds can write their name confidently from day one. 3 yr olds can just color it in at first and I also always know which paper goes in which back pack.
Managing supplies-I have tried the individual pencil boxes and they failed miserably with preschoolers. They get their crayons mixed up at the table and put them back in the wrong boxes and the next day there is chaos as they can't find their red crayon...I liked the idea of keeping germs from spreading but instead I use communal baskets and disinfectable crayons-. I fill up the sink with ammonia, dishsoap and water then dip the baskets in to soak for a few minutes,rinse and let them dry sitting on a towel. These baskets have holes so they air dry over night really well. I really like the basket in the back of the photo that has 3 compartments for glue, pencils, glue separately.
These have been preschool tested, they are tough, just have to twist to get more crayon, no sharpening, no pulling off paper, no breaking in half , and easily sanitized. I couldn't recommend these more highly. My job is easier thanks to these! I get the minis as they are easier to hold and I like the 12 crayon set, the bigger 18 or 24 sets have too many inbetween colors that can confuse preschoolers who are first learning their colors. I buy a set for each child and then pour them all in the table basket.
A note about scissors: All the same kind, all the same color. A must. ( They will fight for the favorite color)
And don't bother with pencils and colored pencils unless they are the big kind. The thin ones will need to be sharpened constantly as they break so easily in unexperienced little hands.
These have an added bonus as they are triangular and don't roll off the table.
Dollar stores are our best friend.
But not for crayons, markers, and definately not playdough. The cheap play dough brands are not worth the money. The big Playdough brand isn't even worth your money. I wouldn't buy Lakeshore Learning's play dough either. I tried for years to make these work. I finally made my own off a simple recipe I found, store it in a ziplock bag and its been the best. It has a longer life, but also it is softer and more fun. I like to make a big batch of a few colors, but only bring out one color at a time. I do not like mixed play dough. It turns ugly and not as fun to play with as bright blue or red only. This is an advantage of home made as buying a bunch of little containers of one color is more expensive and hard to find. But if that is your starting place I have seen them at Walmart.
I always buy cute monthly decor there to get the kids excited about what we are learning.
They also have great board books that talk of colors and numbers and are safe to let little hands handle a lot. I buy glitter there and tape, tissue paper, magnet letters, number and letter workbooks, but never toys or glue. The scissors are ok, but Elmers glue bottles are the best. and always make sure to train the kids to close and wipe the top of the bottles when done every time. If they don't, the glue won't work the next day as they are glued shut. I have one glue checker that will make sure they are all done once back in the basket.
This applies to dry erase markers. You will be buying them a lot if you don't check the lids after each use. Preschoolers hands aren't strong enough usually to close them completely. They will dry out.
I have a marker board basket. The only markers I use are Lakeshore Learning markers or Expo.
There are dry erase books and also you can laminate worksheets.
Other than practicing numbers and letters, drawings made from shapes are really important for kindergarten. They almost immediately start writing and drawing pictures. I make sure all my students can make the basic shapes and then draw pictures with them.
I love this website with free printables, it has number, letters, shapes, etc. I print them off into packets or books to work on in school and they can take home and reread with parents!
Music
I do have a few preschool CDs, there are some really great basic songs they need to learn about numbers, months of the year, etc. But I really have loved having Pandora and iTunes Radio. Its free and once you program it to the kind of songs you want by liking songs and hating songs. I like to play Baby Genius station in the background while they are playing during free time. Mostly instrumental classics like Bach, etc. They have a great children's Christmas station, etc. Whatever you need. If you love the song and want to use it often you can also buy it right then for $.99.
I love the songs that can get their wiggles out. Dancing, moving, marching songs are important. Look for a CD with the classics, Hokey Pokey, Rudolph, Limbo, Mean Old Witch, etc.
Room Layout
It goes without saying that the room needs a bathroom nearby. Ideally, inside the room. A lot of kids still need help with bathroom, and also you must have a sink. Painting, glue, washing hands, drinks.
If you are starting your own business out of your home, the room has to follow city requirements. Mostly a fire extinguisher and two entries. Main level rooms work, but basement rooms won't without a basement entry. I love the basement entry, the kids can come and go from it, run around the backyard, and you have a separation from home and office.
I use these square mats on the floor for circle time and a softer surface for playtime. I found mine at Lowes. Carpet in a preschool isn't practical.
Toys need their own baskets also. I train the kids to always put trains back in the train bucket, etc. This keeps the toys easy for the kids to clean up. And if they need incentive to clean up, I always put snack time right after playtime.
Ikea has the cheapest preschool size chairs. $15. One long table or two smaller circle tables will work.
The ABC Wall
It is important to have the letters big on the wall for the kids to see. I start the year with them turned over and just the letter showing, as we learn each one I turn it to the picture and letter side. Then they can see which ones they've learned and its also easy to review and practice them. There are many options of wall cards online. Here is a link to Etsy that has a huge selection of themes for under $10.
Here is a great website with a FREE one:
Scroll down to download, do not click on the big - File Openers -It advertises a program for your computer, its not the cards you want. If you continue to scroll down you will find shape and color cards too.
Along with the wall cards I like each student to keep an ABC Folder. I put a minature abc card on it and their photo. Inside we save all our ABC practice pages and create a book over the year that can be read and practiced at home with parents, siblings, etc!!! It goes without saying I laminate everything that can be, but the larger posters and folders, if opened up can be laminated, you can take to a shipping store like FedEx Kinkos or places like Lakeshore Learning if you have one in your area.
I found the free printables for this folder here:
I use this home laminator for everything else. It is a reliable little machine. It goes on sale every December.
I also use this folder book. All you need are some blank folders tape or glue the edges down, then run through the small laminator.
Playtime is essential for the preschooler. Not just because they love it, but it teaches and gives practice for all the social skills and playing skills that we take for granted. Kids don't automatically know them. I like to have the toys that work best for cooperative play. Kitchen set-dishes and food to play restaurant or house. Store set-money and cash register to be store owner and shopper. This also takes a little instruction. New vocabulary is introduced and how to use the money and take turns being the people.
Trains, cars and a large car mat is always the favorite among the boys. It also helps teach Community, I teach that unit in November around the family theme.
This will get you started on your preschool plan. Try to get as much free stuff online as you can. A Google search of preschool will get you more than you can use. Spending money then can be for supplies and learning toys. This is my favorite website that I used when I was first getting started. It has all the number and letter worksheets you can print off and save to your computer. I print off a hardcopy set that I use to reprint every year.
First School.com
Calendars
11X17 construction paper works for the monthly calendars. I use this to let parents know what we are learning and also special days for Show and Tell or Field trips. We go on one every month.
Introduction to yoga poses through a vibrant story.
Each page reminds them to breathe and stretch to be something in nature...birds, trees, moon...I don't think they've ever thought about breathing much. The feeling inthe room changes. Concentrating very hard, don't fall over!
By the end they are tired from using muscles they don't use much, we talk about how strong the muscles will get as we practice. Then we lay flat and relax and breathe with our eyes closed. We get a little taste of meditation. At first this lasts only a minute, but we will gradually lay longer. Stillness for preschoolers. Priceless.
This is a home made shape stencil and a sleeve that dry erase markers work on as long as you erase when done. This is a great tool, you can put any paper in to be used again and again! If left till next time, they don't erase all the way.
These Christmas trees were 3 triangles and a few circles practiced first on the whiteboards. We had some very big smiles at the success of their first Christmas tree!
These are great to pull out when there is some extra time, or during playtime when kids aren't in the mood for trucks and dolls. They need instruction once and then can do them again and again. There are 25 ready to use games.
