As children grow and enter preschool, they begin to explore their environment and develop an understanding of their place in the world. All About Me preschool activities are a great way to help children develop a sense of self and learn more about their unique abilities. Educators can introduce these activities at the start of the school year to learn more about their preschoolers, help children get to know one another, and create a positive classroom community. All About Me preschool activities celebrate each child, including their unique abilities, interests, culture, race, and family. As an educator, it’s essential to incorporate these activities throughout the school year to foster each child’s identity and teach acceptance and respect for others different or similar to them.
1. Body tracing
For this activity, pair your preschoolers into groups of two. Use a large sheet of paper and have one child lay on the paper. The other child will then use a pencil or marker to trace their partner. Once your preschoolers are done tracing each other, they can discuss their differences and decorate their drawings.
Some topics you can discuss include height, body size, skin color, or hair color. Allow children to recognize and talk about their differences. This activity is an excellent way to promote values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in your classroom and to teach children to embrace what makes each person unique.
2. Names activity
The ability to recognize classmates by their names is a skill preschoolers need to know at the beginning of the school year. This skill has many parts, including spelling their names through writing, identifying letters in their name, and spelling their name orally.
You can use free templates that allow children to spell or trace their names. Alternatively, you can have letter tiles and let children spell their names using them. You can also ask them to remove letters that aren't in their names for more practice.
3. Me bags
This activity is a good way for children to explore each other's interests. Ask every child to bring three to five of their favorite items to school. Sit in a circle and allow every child to take turns and share their items with the class.
4. Self-portraits
For this activity, have children look in a mirror and observe their features. You can point out the shape of their head, their hair color, eye color, and facial expression. Then give them paper and crayons and let them draw a self-portrait.
5. Feelings wheel
Have children create a feelings wheel that can help them learn to talk about their emotions. Divide a paper plate into four sections and have children color and label each section (for example, green for happy, red for mad, blue for sad, and yellow for excited). Encourage children to choose the emotion they are feeling that day and talk about it. You can keep these in an easily accessible area of the classroom for children to use each day.
6. My family activity
For this activity, the goal is to learn about and celebrate each child’s unique family structure. Use a simple template and have each child draw their family members, pets too! Then have them share about their family with the class.
7. Read All About Me themed books
Reading books about this topic can be a great way to supplement the All About Me theme. These stories can reinforce positive messages of self-esteem, acceptance, and celebrating what makes us all special.
- I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont
- Only One You by Linda Kranz
- Be You! By Peter H. Reynolds
- Whoever You Are by Mem Fox
- All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
- The Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler
8. Handprint and footprint activity
This simple craft can teach children more about their different body parts and their various functions. Have children dip one hand in paint and make a handprint on a piece of paper. Then have them describe several things they can do with their hands, for example, draw, touch, catch. Repeat with their footprints. The finished art can then be displayed in the classroom.
9. Math race
This math race activity can help children practice number identification. Set out foam numbers in numerical order and have children line up on the opposite end of the room. Take turns asking each child a question and have them race to find the correct number and bring it back relay-race style.
Some questions include:
- How old are you?
- How many sisters do you have?
- How many brothers do you have?
- How many shoes are you wearing?
- How many eyes do you have?
- How many pets do you have?
10. Make an All About Me poster
This activity is a great way to capture information about each child’s interests. You can have children create their own posters or use a simple worksheet template that includes:
- Name
- Age
- Self-portrait
- Birthday
- Favorite food
- Favorite color
- Favorite book
- Favorite animal
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Learn all about your preschoolers
All About Me preschool activities are a great way to foster each child’s sense of self. These activities allow children to learn more about themselves and share their interests and abilities with their peers. By incorporating these activities, you can create a positive classroom environment that nurtures acceptance and celebration of everything that makes your children unique.
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