A private kindergarten curriculum includes activities of all types. Each one is designed to help children with one or more early developmental skills, and involve participatory learning– typically referred to as hands-on learning. These 3 categories will give you some insight into engaging activities they can do on those days when they have to stay indoors.
Math Games
Math games help Montessori kindergarten children develop math skills, improve critical thinking, and more. Here are a few examples to get you started.
- Spindle Boxes – This game involves a set of two boxes with numbered compartments and spindles. The child counts out the correct number of spindles and places them in the corresponding compartment. This helps reinforce number recognition and counting skills.
- Number Memory – This game involves matching numeral cards with corresponding cards showing a number of objects. This helps reinforce number recognition and memory skills.
- Counting games – Use objects like beans or toys to practice counting. You can also use flashcards with numbers on them and have the children count out the corresponding number of objects.
Scavenger Hunts
In each of these Montessori-inspired scavenger hunt games, the child is encouraged to explore and interact with their environment, while practicing important skills such as color and shape recognition, letter-sound correspondence, and object identification.
- Color Scavenger Hunt – This game involves finding objects of a particular color. The child is given a color card and then must find objects around the room that match that color.
- Shape Scavenger Hunt – This game involves finding objects of a particular shape. The child is given a shape card (e.g. triangle, circle, square) and must find objects that match that shape.
- Alphabet Scavenger Hunt – This game involves finding objects that start with a particular letter. The child is given a letter card and must find objects around the room that start with that letter sound.
Building games
Use blocks, Legos, or other construction toys to build towers, bridges, and other structures. In each of these building games, the child is encouraged to explore and experiment with materials, while developing their creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills.
- Tower Building – This game involves using blocks of different shapes and sizes to build towers of varying heights. The child can experiment with balance, weight, and spatial relationships.
- Geometric Solids – This game involves using three-dimensional shapes, such as cubes, spheres, and cylinders, to build structures. The child can practice identifying and manipulating shapes, while developing their spatial awareness and problem-solving skills.
- Pattern Blocks – This game involves using sets of patterned shapes to create designs and images. The child can experiment with color, shape, and symmetry as they arrange the blocks to create their own unique designs.
Even a rainy day is a chance to enjoy some exciting activities in kindergarten. There are thousands of possibilities, including variations on the ones listed above.