Get Ready for School

Activities for pre-K children

 

These activities turn everyday play into school-ready learning. Children can build listening and language skills, and develop a love of learning that will help them feel confident as they try new things.

Learning Area:   

AB Patterns image

AB Patterns
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math
Learning Objective: The child will recognize and extend AB patterns. (A login is required for your child to complete this online activity.)
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Be a Storyteller image

Be a Storyteller
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: In this activity, your child will use pictures from a book to retell a story.
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Beginning Sounds Picture Collage image

Beginning Sounds Picture Collage
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing, Physical Development
Learning Objective: Your child will practice recognizing beginning sounds in words and create a collage of pictures that start with the same sound.
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Block Measuring image

Block Measuring
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math
Learning Objective: In this activity, your child will use interlocking blocks to begin to understand measurement and compare how long or tall common household objects...
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Build It Like Me image

Build It Like Me
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Math
Learning Objective: This building activity encourages children to recognize shapes and to use math-specific vocabulary to talk about a structure they are building.
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Buried Letters image

Buried Letters
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing, Sensory and Art
Learning Objective: In this game, children will practice naming letters and their associated sounds through a game of finding buried letters. Working with letters helps...
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Calendar Count image

Calendar Count
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math
Learning Objective: Using the family/household calendar, your child will count the number of days until a special event. Your child will also begin to recognize that...
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Color Cards Match image

Color Cards Match
Age Group: 24-36 months, 3 years old, 4 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Math
Learning Objective: Toddlers will practice recognizing, naming, and matching colors using colored cards.
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Count and Match image

Count and Match
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math, Physical Development
Learning Objective: The child will recognize written numbers 1 to 9 and use one-to-one correspondence to count out the correct number of items
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Counting Scavenger Hunt image

Counting Scavenger Hunt
Age Group: 24-36 months, 3 years old, 4 years old
Learning Area: Math, Science
Learning Objective: Children will go on an outside scavenger hunt to collect sets of items for each number 1-5.
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Create a Journal image

Create a Journal
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old, 6 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: You will make a simple journal for your child and encourage him to write or draw about people and experiences he would like to remember.
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Ducks in the Pond image

Ducks in the Pond
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Math
Learning Objective: In this activity, your child will play a game of counting objects and creating sets of objects.
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Family Fitness image

Family Fitness
Age Group: 24-36 months, 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math, Physical Development
Learning Objective: Children will do exercises with their parents by choosing number and movement cards out of a pile.
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Feed Me More! image

Feed Me More!
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math
Learning Objective: The child will feed a monster by choosing the plate of food that has more. (A login is required for your child to complete this online activity.)
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Fingerprint Patterns image

Fingerprint Patterns
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math, Sensory and Art
Learning Objective: Your child will create patterns with their fingerprints.
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Guess the Word! image

Guess the Word!
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old, 6 years old, 7 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: Your child will try to guess simple words that you say in parts. This blending of sounds is a pre-reading skill.
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I Spy Letters image

I Spy Letters
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: Children will play "I Spy" with letters in words displayed in their surroundings. This activity will reinforce letter knowledge and letter sounds in...
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Jump to the Number image

Jump to the Number
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math, Physical Development
Learning Objective: In this activity, your child will play a game to practice identifying numbers from 0-10. Children who have mastered this skill will practice ordering...
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Let’s Tap and Count image

Let’s Tap and Count
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math
Learning Objective: Your child will play a tapping game to count numbers between one and ten in the correct order.
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Let’s Write a Story! image

Let’s Write a Story!
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old, 6 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: In this activity, your child will create an imaginary story and help you write sentences and draw pictures about it.
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Letter Clothesline image

Letter Clothesline
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing, Physical Development
Learning Objective: Your child will identify and match letters on clothespins to pieces of “laundry” in order to reinforce letter recognition.
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Letter Detective image

Letter Detective
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: This activity reinforces letter recognition as children use detective skills to search for letters in printed materials.
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Letter Lineup image

Letter Lineup
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: This activity helps children recognize the letters of the alphabet, become familiar with the sounds each letter makes, and identify where in the...
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Letter or Number? image

Letter or Number?
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing, Math
Learning Objective: The child will distinguish between letters and numbers, helping to reinforce recognition of both.
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Line Up Snakes! image

Line Up Snakes!
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math
Learning Objective: In this activity, your child will use pieces of yarn as “snakes” to practice the math skills of comparing lengths of objects and arranging them...
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Make a Match image

Make a Match
Age Group: 24-36 months, 3 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Math
Learning Objective: Your child will play a matching game with pairs of objects.
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Make Them Equal image

Make Them Equal
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math
Learning Objective: The child will make equal sets by taking items away from one group. (A login is required for your child to complete this online activity.)
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Making Pizzas image

Making Pizzas
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math
Learning Objective: The child will practice one-to-one correspondence by making sets of six. (A login is required for your child to complete this online activity.)
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Meaningful Memories image

Meaningful Memories
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: In this activity, your child will write about a personal experience or memory by dictating to you and then illustrating the memory.
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Muffin Tin Toss image

Muffin Tin Toss
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing, Physical Development
Learning Objective: Your child will name the letters of the alphabet, and recognize words that begin with those letters, as they toss a soft ball into a muffin tin.
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My Amazing Body image

My Amazing Body
Age Group: 24-36 months, 3 years old, 4 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing, Social and Emotional
Learning Objective: Your child will increase self-awareness and learn about parts of the human body, as well as how they work, by reading a book and reciting a chant...
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Name Hopscotch image

Name Hopscotch
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing, Physical Development
Learning Objective: In this activity, your child will become more familiar with the letters and spelling of his name, and practice gross motor skills, by jumping on each...
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Number Cups image

Number Cups
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old
Learning Area: Math, Physical Development
Learning Objective: Learning to identify numbers and to count with one-to-one correspondence (that is, to say one number in correct order for each item) are important...
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Number Songs image

Number Songs
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math
Learning Objective: In this early math activity, singing and chanting number songs encourage children to practice counting and subtraction skills.
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Pattern Play image

Pattern Play
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math
Learning Objective: Your child will learn about patterns by following and creating simple patterns with toys and other objects.
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Pick Up and Count image

Pick Up and Count
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math, Physical Development
Learning Objective: In this activity, your child will play a game to practice counting up to 10 items and understand that the last number she says tells how many items...
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Pick Up Patterns image

Pick Up Patterns
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math, Physical Development
Learning Objective: Your child will extend simple patterns made with toys and other objects.
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Post Office image

Post Office
Age Group: 24-36 months, 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: Introduce your child to letter writing and early literacy concepts by playing Post Office. Your child will compose or dictate mail, talk about who...
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Roll a Sentence image

Roll a Sentence
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing, Physical Development
Learning Objective: Your child will play a ball rolling game with you to learn about how a sentence is made up of individual words.
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Secret Word Game image

Secret Word Game
Age Group: 5 years old, 6 years old, 7 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: In this activity, you will help your child practice putting sounds together to form words. This is a pre-reading activity. It is important to only...
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Sets of Pennies image

Sets of Pennies
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math
Learning Objective: The child will create sets of six to ten pennies. (A login is required for your child to complete this online activity.)
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Shape House image

Shape House
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math, Physical Development
Learning Objective: The child will manipulate shapes to make a house. (A login is required for your child to complete this online activity.)
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Shape Hunt image

Shape Hunt
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Math
Learning Objective: In this game, your child will use pictures and real objects to practice identifying different shapes. Learning about shapes and how to describe them...
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Shape Similarities image

Shape Similarities
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Math
Learning Objective: In this activity, children identify shapes and use their features to sort them into “like” categories. Sorting is a foundational math skill for...
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Shapes All Around Me image

Shapes All Around Me
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math
Learning Objective: The child will identify shapes they see in the environment. (A login is required for your child to complete this online activity.)
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Skywriting image

Skywriting
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: This activity encourages your child to practice “writing” letters in the air. By using larger motions with their fingers and forearms, they are...
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Small Number Addition image

Small Number Addition
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math
Learning Objective: The child will add small sets. (A login is required for your child to complete this online activity.)
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Snacktime Counting image

Snacktime Counting
Age Group: 24-36 months, 3 years old, 4 years old
Learning Area: Math, Physical Development
Learning Objective: Using cereal or another snack food, your toddler can practice early math skills like counting and one-to-one correspondence, and he can improve fine...
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Sound Blending with Animals image

Sound Blending with Animals
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old, 6 years old, 7 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: In this game, your child will listen carefully for sounds in animal names and put the sounds together to make the word. Separating and blending...
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Stir, Scoop, and Bake image

Stir, Scoop, and Bake
Age Group: 18-24 months, 24-36 months, 3 years old
Learning Area: Math, Physical Development
Learning Objective: You and your child will pretend to measure ingredients and bake using water and simple kitchen tools.
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Stomp the Letter image

Stomp the Letter
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing, Physical Development
Learning Objective: This activity reinforces letter recognition while exercising gross motor skills.
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Story Retelling with Puppets image

Story Retelling with Puppets
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: Increase your child’s understanding and language skills by using visual aids while retelling a story. In this activity, puppets and props are...
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Super Sort image

Super Sort
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Math
Learning Objective: In this activity your child will play a game to practice sorting objects into groups of things that are similar. The objects may share several...
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Syllable Clapping image

Syllable Clapping
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: In this activity, you will help your child to identify syllables in spoken words by clapping for each syllable. Being able to hear and identify...
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Take It Away image

Take It Away
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math, Physical Development
Learning Objective: Using items from around the house, your child will count and practice using number cards to match the number of household items.
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Thumbs Up Rhyming image

Thumbs Up Rhyming
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: In this activity, you will help your child identify whether two words rhyme. Understanding rhyming is part of phonological awareness, an important...
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Time to Make a Rhyme image

Time to Make a Rhyme
Age Group: 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: In this activity, you will help your child identify rhyming words in familiar nursery rhymes and produce additional words that rhyme.
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Trace and Erase image

Trace and Erase
Age Group: 24-36 months, 3 years old
Learning Area: Reading and Writing, Physical Development
Learning Objective: The child will use a dry erase board and a cotton swab (or a chalkboard and a wet paintbrush) to trace and erase letters and drawings.
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Which Is Taller? image

Which Is Taller?
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math, Physical Development
Learning Objective: After building towers made of blocks or Lego© building blocks, children will contrast heights to determine which buildings are taller.
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Which Weighs More? image

Which Weighs More?
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math, Science
Learning Objective: To introduce the concept of weight, this activity uses a filled water bottle as a comparison tool to determine how much things weigh. The question...
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Who Has More? image

Who Has More?
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Math
Learning Objective: In this activity, you will help your child practice counting skills, compare amounts by using objects, and understand the concepts of more and less.
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Words, Words, Words image

Words, Words, Words
Age Group: 4 years old, 5 years old
Learning Area: Language and Communication, Reading and Writing
Learning Objective: In this pre-reading activity, the child will brainstorm a list of words that start with a specific letter sound.
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