Tips for Increasing the Ways Preschoolers Learn through Movement

A preschool class is more than children sitting at a table and moving to an area for a story. As leaders of preschoolers, we know they learn best through movement and physical activity. Joy is found as preschoolers move their bodies and participate in the different activities you provide at Mission Friends.

Interest areas should involve hands-on learning experiences and movement! For each session, choose a variety of activities from Mission Friends Leader. With careful planning, movement can be incorporated into each interest area and Group Time activity. Preschoolers learn as they move.

Try the following ideas to increase the ways preschoolers learn through movement.

• • Sometimes we think an art activity is simply sitting at a table with paint and paper. There are other ways for preschoolers to be exposed to movement through art. Painting or drawing to music encourages them to express creativity as they move. Use easels or place butcher paper on a wall for preschoolers to stand while drawing. Spread butcher paper on the floor so they can sit or squat during their art activity.
  • As preschoolers build with blocks, they will reach for blocks, stand to build tall towers or mountains, and move to other areas to gather what they need for their creations. Provide a variety of building materials to encourage preschoolers to build up, out, and around. They will use all parts of their bodies and learn through movement.
  • Preschoolers move easily when they enjoy dramatic play in Homeliving. Pretending to cook food, serve meals, visit neighbors, and go to church involves imagination and movement. Allow preschoolers to move freely about the interest area and room. Engage their minds and bodies to learn through movement.
  • Music resonates with preschoolers. Integrate songs from Sing to the Tune, many of which include movement suggestions or adaptations for different missions areas. Distribute simple props like scarves or rhythm instruments for preschoolers to use as they listen to music or sing along. Create a simple obstacle course in the hallway to help preschoolers respond to physical challenges. As preschoolers stomp, sway, or act out words, they will learn more about themselves, the missionaries, and the missions areas as they move.
  • Move your preschoolers outside to explore God’s creation. Preschoolers can use their bodies to move to a new location and explore nature items that will engage their bodies and brains.
  • Preschoolers love to hear stories. Incorporate movement and action into storytelling to create excitement and participation. Move your group to the hallway or a staircase to tell the missions story. The hallway can represent a jungle to walk through and a staircase can represent a mountain to climb. Preschoolers will engage with the story as they move to and through these areas and retain what they learn.

As you plan each week, remember that movement increases how much preschoolers learn. Up the movement, up the learning!