No one expected to be trying to do preschool at home during a pandemic, but here we are. These weekly preschool plans for working parents are simple, they use things you probably have around your house or can get easily even during the lockdown, and I will walk you through each activity. Some of you have mentioned that just one activity a day isn’t enough; I disagree. One activity a day won’t replace preschool but not because of the academics your child is missing, because of the social interaction they are. Young children are social beings, and they learn through social interaction. So spend as much time playing with them as you can, focus on their and your emotional well being, and do one simple learning activity a day. If you have more time, do more, I have links to more ideas, but if you are struggling, do what you can. This isn’t a time to push yourself or your child, be gentle, and focus on connection.
How To Use Lunch Break Learning Weekly Preschool Plan.
- Look over the plan. Take a screenshot and save it to your phone, or if you have a printer, print it out.
- Read through the activity details. Take note of the “Make it harder/ make it easier” tips.
- Prep the activities either the night before or one big prep Sunday night. This won’t take long.
- Know you can do this. It’s going to be OK.
- Come back every Saturday for the next nine weeks to get your free plan.
Preschool At Home Activity Plan – April 20th-26th
PRINT HERE
Preschool Plan – Activity Details
Fishing For Letters
Get 4-5 pieces of paper. Draw some basic fish, write a letter on each fish. Cut out.
Make a “pond” with a tray, blanket, or just use the floor. Pop the fish face down in the pond.
Invite your child to go fishing. As they get a fish ask them to tell you what they got. ” Yes, that’s a lowercase r!”
Make it easier -> Limit the number of fish to only 5-10, use letters your child is familiar with like the letters in their name.
Make it harder -> Use sight words or names to fish for instead. Find sight words here.
This is a simple version of a classic activity. If you have time to make a more complicated one with a magnetic fishing rod check it out here.
Roll & Cover
This is a simple math game that works on many skills. All you really need is a sheet of paper, a pencil, a die, and something to mark your places like buttons, coins, or even stickers.
To make the game board draw dots on a paper, if you want to print out a game board, I have five pre-made options here.
Now you are ready to play.
Roll the die, count the dots, and cover that many dots on your game board.
Make it easier -> Put fewer dots on the game board or take turns rolling and covering. This is a great way to model how to play for younger kiddos.
Make it harder –> use two dice adding the two numbers together to see how many dots you need to cover.
Head & Shoulders
Sing and have fun. This is a whole-body song. Touch each body part as you sing.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and tooooeeees!
Eyes and ears, mouth and nose.
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes, knees and toes!
Make it easier -> hmm not sure this one needs to be easier 😉
Make it harder -> Google how to say head, shoulders, knees, and toes in different languages and try using them in the song. “Tete, épaules, genoux et pieds! ”
Write A Letter
Gather some writing materials – use what you have!
Sit down together a write a letter to someone you miss. After writing, have your child draw a picture too. Address and stamp the envelope and walk it to the mailbox.
Make it easier -> Have your child dictate the letter to you.
Make it harder -> Have your child write the letter, guide them through addressing the envelope as well.
Sink or Float?
This is one of my favorite science activities for preschool at home.
Get a tub of water ( a large mixing bowl will work fine, so will a bathtub!)
Gather various toys or household items you don’t mind getting wet. Try to get a mix of things; some that will float and some that won’t.
Hold up the items one at a time, asking your child if they think it will stay on the water and float or fall to the bottom and sink.
Place each item in one at a time. Was your child’s prediction, right?
Make it easier –> use items that they have seen floating or sinking like rocks and bath toys. This will encourage them to speak up and make a prediction because many of theirs will be right!
Make it harder –> Ask your child why they think some float and some sink if you need a refresher for why this post explains it in a way kids can understand.
Big Project Ideas for the Weekend
Working parents may have more time during the weekend. Here are some longer projects you might like to try.
Craft something fun with my live videos.
Find a fun Ocean Craft to make
Heart Rainbow Wall. Hearts aren’t just for Valentine’s Day.
Create an arctic playscape!
Go for a Nature Walk and count what you see.
Build with blocks and shaving cream
Bed Time Reading Tips
Every week I will include different ways to dive deeper into your bedtime reading, no matter what books you are using. This week I ask you to ask your child to use the illustrations to give them clues to what each page will be about before you read it.
When we ask children questions about what we are reading, we help them engage more fully with the material, which encourages more in-depth thinking and helps them learn more about storytelling, more vocabulary, and sparks curiosity.
Supplies Needed for the Weekly Preschool Plan
These supplies are what is needed for the Monday-Friday activities.
Please note that weekend craft ideas have their own supply lists in the linked post. This list includes affiliate links.
Paper/ Construction paper
Pencil/ Pen
Scissors
Envelope and stamp
Plastic container or large bowl
Bathtub toys, blocks, animal figurines
Roll & Cover game boards <— free printables
Dice
Optional Additional Preschool Activities
Stamp & Match
Salt Tray Letters
Alphabet Sensory Tub
Shape House.
Shape Sorting.
Alphabet Playdough
Touch & Feel Alphabet
Lunch Break Learning Preschool Plans are purposefully simple, made for busy parents who need simple daily activities to keep their children learning without overwhelming their day. These activities are for you to browse if you have more time.
Sheryl says
Just want to say as a former PPCD and Kindergarten teacher and now as I work with my preschool grandchildren, I love your weekly lesson plans and ideas. Thanks so much!!!
Kofi Amona says
I really appreciate the information I receive from you. I would like to know if you could offer me some assistance, I want to start a preschool in my community in Ghana.
I would be grateful if I could get some guidelines as a beginner. I would like to know some administrative practices in running a preschool.
I hope to hear from you, thank you.
Nika Linseman says
Thank you! I just did a search for activities to do with a 3.5 year old and your site popped up. Need this working from home and taking care of a little while in isolation. 🙂 Thank you for sharing!!
Valerie says
Excellent ideas and format!
shalini sharma says
THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US UPDATED WITH NEW BLOGS.
shalini sharma says
absolutely loved your blog..good job.