Hands-on Learning in Early Pre-K!

Zelalem and Faya
Sep 5, 2025
3 min read

Dear Parents,

We hope your week has been just as wonderful as ours! Our Early Pre-K class was filled with energy and enthusiasm as your little adventurers embarked on a week full of exploration, creativity, and learning. Through engaging, hands-on activities, they immersed themselves in the exciting worlds of math, cooperative game, and literacy. These experiences not only sparked their curiosity but also helped build essential skills like cognitive thinking, number recognition, and problem-solving. Keep reading to uncover the memorable and enriching moments that made your child’s week truly extraordinary!

Large group

This week, our Early Pre-K large group sessions were bursting with excitement and discovery! We dove into the letter ”a” and its sound, expanding our vocabulary with fun ”a” words. During morning message time, the children loved sharing their weekend adventures, adding a personal touch to our daily routine.

In math, we introduced the number 2 and 2D shape, triangle, and the class had a blast showing their two fingers and counting the triangle sides. Through these activities, the children showcased their critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity. It was a week full of growth, curiosity, and joy!

Math

This week in math, the students had a wonderful experience counting objects and identifying numbers. Our little mathematicians engaged in an interactive activity using colorful markers, crayons, pencils, teddy bears and blocks to count and match with their favorite number. This simple exercise helped strengthen number identification and cognitive skill and laid the foundation for understanding numbers.

Once the children were familiar with the numbers, they were guided to chose their favorite material and number then match the number flashcard and the object they counted. The activity served as a fun and engaging way for them to apply what they have learned in class and further solidify their knowledge of counting objects and identifying numbers.

Cooperative game

We are excited to share with you the wonderful experience our children had while playing the cooperative game “Duck Duck Goose” in Early Pre-k class. This classic children’s game not only brought joy and excitement but also played a significant role in developing their social interaction skills. The game, "Duck Duck Goose,” involved children sitting in a circle as one child walked around tapping others’ heads, saying “Duck, Duck, Duck…” until finally saying “Goose!” and running around the circle to avoid being tagged by the chosen “Goose.” The laughter, cheers, and anticipation amongst the children were infectious, creating a positive and engaging environment for everyone involved. Through this simple yet engaging game, our children learned valuable social skills such as taking turns, following rules. They also practiced important non-verbal communication skills, such as making eye contact, reading facial expressions, and understanding body language.

We observed how the children actively supported each other, cheered on their friends, and celebrated each other’s successes during the game. It was heartwarming to see them come together, bond, and create lasting memories through this cooperative play. Furthermore, “Duck Duck Goose” provided an excellent opportunity for our children to develop their physical coordination, spatial awareness, and cognitive skills as they navigated the circle and made quick decisions while playing the game.

Literacy

This week in literacy session, we did something different to help our children develop their cognitive and fine motor skills. Instead of the usual writing exercises, we gave them each a journal and a box of crayons, and let them unleash their creativity by drawing whatever they wanted. The results were truly amazing! Through this activity, the children were able to express themselves in a unique way. Some drew a unicorn, while others created intricate patterns and shapes. Their imaginations ran wild as they filled the pages with their thoughts and ideas.

Not only did this exercise foster creativity, but it also had significant benefits for their cognitive development. Drawing engages the brain in a way that writing or speaking does not. It requires the child to think spatially, plan ahead, and make decisions about color and shape. By allowing them the freedom to draw whatever they wished, we fostered their critical thinking skills and encouraged them to explore new ideas. Furthermore, this activity also helped the children develop their fine motor skills. Holding and manipulating crayons requires a level of dexterity and control that is crucial for their overall development. By practicing these skills during the literacy session, the children were able to improve their hand-eye coordination and strengthen the muscles in their hands.