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May 17, 2020 | 9 Comments

How To Teach Distance Learning Preschool

I’m not going to beat around the bush, this isn’t how I want to teach, but the most recent data suggests that many schools, including preschools, will be doing a hybrid of in-person and distance learning in the 2020-2021 school year. With the assumption that we will start our school year in person, this is how I plan on teaching distance learning preschool for the remainder of this year and during closures next year if needed. This system may not work for your preschool because of curriculum constraints or other issues. It may simply not be your style. Use what works, let my system inspire your own. We all find our groove with teaching in different ways.

How To Prepare for Distance Learning Preschool

Decide on your remote learning schedule before you have to close your preschool, if possible. For my 3-year-old class, I record one video a week that includes reading one book and doing a small lesson with that story. I then send that video along with corresponding activities in an email to parents. These activities use only everyday materials or the materials I have sent home in a remote learning materials pack. You may decide on a more frequent schedule for your students, remember to do what works for you and your students. Follow their needs, not some expectation based on what you see other teachers do.

Create a remote learning materials pack for your students. The contents are linked below, and every activity I send home in my distance learning lesson plans uses only items from this list. This helps parents adjust quickly and not worry about gathering all the materials needed for these lesson plans. It may be a good idea to think about adding this into your registration costs or changing your materials budget to allow for these packets. You can also ask parents to have these on hand if they can gather these items on their own. If your school has extended closures, you may need to replenish materials.  You can send this home with your students on the first day of school, but I suggest holding them at school until you are notified of an impending closure.

Remote Learning Preschool Materials Pack

This list includes affiliate links.

Construction paper 
Glue 
Kid scissors 
Crayons
Paint – ( just primary colors – we sent them home in to-go cups like these.)
Craft supplies ( pom poms, googly eyes, cotton balls, buttons, fuzzy stems)
Play-doh
Dice

When your preschool goes remote

Send home the remote learning materials packs. Send it with a note saying you are going to have so much fun learning in a new way.

Stay positive, you will set the tone, and this is going to be fun, different, but fun. Don’t forget to include the schedule you plan on following and what they can expect from you.

Now is the time to ask parents if they have access to a printer – if not, make a note of which students you may need to send printables to if you choose to include any in your lesson plans.

Also, expect that some families may opt-out. Do not take this personally. Every family deals with these closures in their own way. Some dive into productivity while others completely ignore the outside world and create a new normal to get through. I always stress that these activities are optional.

It’s Time To Teach Remotely

My lessons include these things :

A recorded read aloud with a short lesson.
Suggested Activities – including explanations for parents
Links to more crafts/ activities.

Read a picture book to your students via video or a streaming service like Zoom.  I do not make this live as I do not want my families to feel like they have to fit my schedule. All learning is asynchronous, allowing families to share devices. Add a short lesson that goes with the story. Yes, it feels silly if you are not interacting with your students, but you’ll get over that quickly. My lessons are often sorting, counting together, or classifying using the themes from the book.

Send caregivers an email with a link to the video and a lesson plan full of preschool activities that coordinate with the book. See my example below.

Remember, if your families do not have access to a printer, avoid printable activities, or print them out and send home.

Distance Learning Lesson Plans For Preschool

preschool activities for busy parents working parents

Here is an example email to my students. Please note the video is not linked as I use my students’ names in it, and I do not make them public. 

 

Hello Friends,

This week we are starting our unit on farm animals. Here are some fun farm activities you can while we learn at home this week. Please watch the video and then choose one, some, or all of the activities below to explore over the week ahead. These activities are optional and if there is another way I can support your family at this time, please reach out. I am here to help.
v

Book Video Here – The Grumpy Morning by Pamela Duncan Edwards, a book about grumpy farm animals.

 

Suggested Activities 

 

What Lives on A Farm? – gather animal figurines or stuffed toys, making sure to have some farm animals. Make two piles, one of the farm animals, one of the animals not found on a farm. I have included a printable of pictures you can use instead of toys.

 

How Do They Feel Mad or Sad? Print and cut out the attached emotion cards. Sit with your child and show them one picture at a time. Ask your child how the child in the picture feels. Ask your child to make the same face as the child in the photo. How do they feel when they make that face? Continue. If your child loses interest partway through, pick the activity up again another day. Don’t push.

Farm Song – we all know Old MacDonald and it does have a special place in my heart, but I love this one too. I have included a printable lyrics sheet in the attachments as well.

Down on the farm, Early in the morning

See the little ______ All in a row.
See the busy farmer Feeding them breakfast. _______, ______, ______. Off they go!
Fill in the blanks with the animal s and their sounds.
Ex:

cow / moo moo moo
pig / oink oink oink

etc…

Art

Painting with Veggies Grab some paper, paint, and the ends of veggies from your compost pile. Use the ends of carrots, celery, potatoes… anything you have to explore printmaking.

Pigs in the Mud – I’ve included the outline of a pig in attachments. At school, we print this out on pink paper usually and then finger paint with brown all over it. The children love it. You could also paint it with paintbrushes, color it with crayons or glue brown paper on. You could even use recycled paper for that! Don’t forget that red and green paint mixed together makes brown if you are looking to explore some color mixing to extend the activity.

Additional Crafts

Cotton Ball Sheep – This is a fun little craft. This simple craft helps children explore textures while they create something fun.

Shape Scarecrow – this is a fun way to learn and create with shapes.

 

 

Resources for Remote Learning Preschool Activities

I keep it simple. Obviously, you can add many more ideas that depending on your students and your school’s expectations. My emails include some written out instructions and some links. I have found that this helps me focus attention on the more valuable activities while still offering more ideas that families can do if they have time.

You might be thinking this is great, but where do you find all the activities to include in the lessons?

Right here! I have over 1000 preschool activities you can link or type out into your emails. Tons of printables you can link as well. You can also check out other blogs like Toddler Approved ( she has ideas for older kids too), Prek Pages, Red Ted Art, and more.

Over the next few months, I will be sharing Book Activities weekly, where you can quickly find activities for your remote learning emails. They will be based around popular picture books an will hopefully provide the resource you need to create these video lessons and emails to facilitate distance learning preschool for your students. They include free printables, hands-on activities, and more!

Brown Bear, Brown Bear Activities 

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie Activities 

caterpillar sorting

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Activities 

 

I also have a series of Nursery Rhyme Activities ready to be used for your remote learning plans.

 

Finally, I have a library of thematic units for sale. Browse through my library and find the right theme for your class. 

 

Filed Under: Age Preschool, Coronavirus school closure activities, Distance learning for preschool, For Teachers, How to teach preschool remotely, Teaching Remotely | 9 Comments

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9 Comments

  1. Catherine McGrath says

    May 18, 2020 at 2:46 pm

    Thanks you Alison this post is great as we still don’t know how we will be re-open and maybe restricted as to how many children can attend on any given day so having a plan like this would help us stay connected to all the children. Would love if you could share some tips about creating videos and what basic equipment to get when starting out.

    to Catherine McGrath" aria-label='reply to this comment to Catherine McGrath'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      May 23, 2020 at 9:34 am

      Catherine – I am on it! I putting together a post soon. Right now I am pretty bare bones but I am debating buying myself a few things if school will be remote or a hybrid next year.

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
      • Mel says

        May 26, 2020 at 10:09 pm

        I would love tips and ideas on the video/ recording side. I am in South Africa. As an older teacher, I am really battling with the technology side. I have the “know how” but not the “how to”.
        Any advice and tips would be so appreciated.

        to Mel" aria-label='reply to this comment to Mel'>reply to this comment
      • Camila says

        August 15, 2020 at 7:43 am

        Catherine, I love the remote learning activities you provided. I will definitely present this to my director, so we can incorporate some of these activities in our remote learning plans. Thank you for sharing!

        to Camila" aria-label='reply to this comment to Camila'>reply to this comment
  2. Vergie says

    May 19, 2020 at 1:52 pm

    Activity are truly helpful I love the squash monster painting when I run out of ideas I turn too the flash card it’s a great resource thank you sooomuch

    to Vergie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Vergie'>reply to this comment
  3. Chaunta says

    August 2, 2020 at 9:04 am

    These are great suggestions to make remote learning simple for teachers and parents as well. This website was suggested reading for a professional development course. Well chosen. Thank you!

    to Chaunta" aria-label='reply to this comment to Chaunta'>reply to this comment
  4. Uwaye Soetan says

    August 13, 2020 at 5:09 am

    Dear Allison,
    i wondered if you could work with me to deliver my nursery curriculum online. Please let me know if this interests you.
    Regards

    to Uwaye Soetan" aria-label='reply to this comment to Uwaye Soetan'>reply to this comment
  5. Sharon Vann-Williams says

    September 1, 2020 at 9:27 am

    Cool ideas, thanks~

    to Sharon Vann-Williams" aria-label='reply to this comment to Sharon Vann-Williams'>reply to this comment
  6. Anurag Nautiyal says

    November 5, 2020 at 2:47 am

    You share very nice ways with us.

    to Anurag Nautiyal" aria-label='reply to this comment to Anurag Nautiyal'>reply to this comment

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