Small group time is a great place for hands-on fun and learning. Try these simple suggestions to bring excitement and discovery to your small group times in preschool or kindergarten.
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Small group time allows you to engage with children in meaningful ways. The focus – and benefit – is in student participation: sharing, discussing, and working together.
Seated or standing, small group experiences encourage kids to explore their environment.
- Participants move around in a small space to conduct a wind experiment or go on a sensory walk. Children sit at a table to sort seeds or play a Bingo game.
Whether you are teaching early learners in a preschool classroom, or homeschooling kids of different ages, planning small group times is a great way to promote interaction and cooperation.
- A small number of participants makes it easier to involve each child, with time for taking turns and giving attention to responses.
- A small group is easier to manage for specific learning opportunities, to help each individual achieve his or her level of accomplishment.
Small group time is a great environment for engaging kids in hands-on fun.
Related: Small Group Activities Resource
Small group time in preschool
Whatever the interest and skill level, children will benefit from group interaction – listening, taking turns, sharing materials and conversations.
The activities can involve setups for each participant (like these mini volcanoes), or a single group project like building a snowman with pillow cases (activity #49 in our small group digital resource).
These ideas for small group time support early learning skills including social, language, and cognitive.
Measuring foods with watermelon math
Exploring the world with a globe and playdough
Graphing seeds founds in foods
Telling time with digital and analog clocks
Playing a memory game with disposable cups
Playing a memory game with cards
Exploring the science of leaves
Counting with a printable board game
Enjoying music and movement with homemade shakers
These are just a few ideas to get you started on your small group journey!
The activities you choose to for your students will depend on the object of the activity, your teaching style, and number of children present.
Teacher Resource
You’ll find lots more to explore at small group time with this easy-to-use downloadable resource.
Enjoy small group times with your early learners!
