Kindergarten games help students learn such key concepts as numbers.
The Scholastic website reports that a common misconception is that kindergartners must come to the classroom knowing the alphabet, and shapes and colors. Yet kindergarten teachers consider playing well with others, certain gross motor skills, independence and listening skills as more important signs of kindergarten readiness. Games and crafts for kindergartners that encourage those skills can prepare the student for a successful school experience.
Simon Says
Simon Says is a game that helps students learn or master listening skills. It simultaneously draws from the list of gross motor skills the 5- to 6-year-old child has acquired, including hopping, balancing on one foot and walking backwards. Simon Says involves the leader, usually the teacher, giving a list of instructions for the students to follow. For example, the teacher might say, "Simon says walk backwards two steps." If Simon didn't say, as with, "Hop on one foot," the child should remain motionless or will be out of the game. Students can experiment with leading the game to encourage independence.
Mix Match
Mix match can be played throughout the early grade school years. Tiles are placed face-down in rows and a child chooses two. If the tiles match, the child keeps them and plays again. Unmatched tiles are replaced face-down and the next player takes a turn. For kindergarten, the tiles can display an object and the first letter of that object below it. Using the object and beginning letter helps the child gain or improve letter-recognition skills, which is a goal of the kindergarten curriculum. Mix match also encourages interactive play. To help maintain classroom control, teacher can limit each game to no more than three players. In this setting, students experience a manageable environment to explore conflict-resolution if, for instance, a child goes out of turn.
Paper Chickens
With yellow construction paper, scissors, eyes, feathers, colorful pipe cleaners, a pencil and glue, students can craft paper chickens as a springime activity. Students trace a triangle template on yellow paper and cut it out with scissors. Using the tip of the triangle for the head, the students glue on eyes, feathers and pipe cleaner legs. This activity focuses on shape recognition of circles and triangles, helps master such fine motor skills as cutting with scissors and tracing, and fosters independence through design and color choices.
Paper Dolls
Making paper dolls is an activity appropriate for the first day of school to encourage kindergartners to make friends. Each student receives a cut out template of a unisex body and has paper hair, clothing and accessories available for customizing the doll. Students cut out and glue the accessory items to create a self-portrait. Each student should then pair up and make a paper friend of his partner. This craft encourages such fine motor skills as cutting and gluing, but also provides a social component to the activity where students are encouraged to explore playing well with others.
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