Teaching lessons on the solar system excites a child's creativity. "It is fun for children, because it stretches their imaginations forcing them to contemplate the stars, nebula and planets."1 Furthermore, it inspires them to learn more about the universe around them as they realize the world doesn't end outside the front door.
As you explore these space-themed lessons, keep in mind that younger preschoolers (ages 2 and 3) may not fully grasp the concept, while older pre-k kids can process more specific information about the planets, the moon and the sun.
Preschool Activities About the Moon and the Stars
These hands-on activities are sure to teach the young ones about the universe. Stories such as Goodnight Moon can introduce them to the moon's different phases. Pretending they are on a journey to the moon can teach them about space exploration. A great craft activity is to create a starry night out of black construction paper and paper stars.
This activity is perfect when teaching preschoolers that the moon revolves around Earth, which in turn revolves around the sun. They can create a mosaic of the sun, moon and stars out of pieces of paper, Styrofoam and broken, uncooked noodles. Another art activity to teach about Earth's rotation is making an interactive craft with a paper plate, glitter and other simple school supplies.
Teaching About Creation: Games About the Sun and Moon
Educating young children about creationism is as easy as playing a few classic childhood games. From musical chairs to hot potato, preschoolers can learn how God created the sun, stars and moon. These games can also help develop motor skills and better listening skills.
Preschoolers are young enough to learn about the moon's eight phases. This lesson plans teaches them through hands-on activities, videos and books. It also allows the preschoolers to tell you in their own words what they learned about the moon.
Blast Off! A Space Unit for Preschool Students
From songs and poems to numbers and reading, children can learn about space in so many ways. These lesson plans not only get preschoolers on their feet and moving, but they introduce them to some great books. For a math lesson, teach them to count backward from ten to one and shout, "blast off!"
Space Activities for Preschool
Youngsters can learn the basics about the solar system's eight planets with these fun activities. They can pretend they are dancing comets or walking on the moon. They can also create their very own twinkling star with glitter and cardboard cutouts.
Your preschoolers will have a blast creating these sunny art projects. From paper plate masks to garden stakes, they will use their fine motor skills making these simple crafts. They can also learn about the importance of loved ones by creating photo collage.
A star is one of the more popular shapes in preschool. To teach youngsters about it, they can sing songs and even hold a "star party." The children can even create their own evening sky with some star stickers and black construction paper.
What a great way to learn about outer space! Let your students imagine they are flying to the moon by creating their own rocket out of recycled materials. They can also practice taking that "one giant step" by pretending to walk on the moon.
These games take a complex subject such as outer space and make it fun and interesting to learn. Kids can make "craters on the moon" by throwing balls into a sandbox and learn where Earth is in the solar system through the classic Pin the Tail on the Donkey game. Finally, introduce the youngsters to constellations with a guessing game using pictures.
There are many books dedicated to teaching young ones about space. This article lists several including the classic Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle. Take this list to the library or bookstore on your next trip.
Preschool Art About the Planets
There's nothing more fun about learning for preschoolers than letting the kids get their hands dirty. For a lesson on space, let them paint what they think Earth looks like from outer space or make sun catchers shaped like the planet. They can even create a class solar system on a bulletin board complete with meteors and comets.
Lesson plans about space should focus on what is and is not found out there, as well as teaching the concept of a planet or the sun. Activities include making space helmets or play oxygen tanks to use on an imaginative journey to the moon. Create some "moon rocks" from Styrofoam balls or aluminum foil and let the kids find them on a treasure hunt.
These activities are just a few ideas teachers can use to create some cosmic lessons for their preschoolers. Remember, with the moon, sun and stars, there are no limits as long as the children have fun learning.
These activities are just a few ideas teachers can use to create some cosmic lessons for their preschoolers. Remember, with the moon, sun and stars, there are no limits as long as the children have fun learning.
References
- 1: KidAstronomy.com
- SXC: moon
