Monday

Circle Time – Go through a standard Circle Time Routine.

Introduce the "All About Me" Theme. Talk with the preschoolers about how there are things about each of them that are the same and there are things about each of them that are different. Explore some of the things that are the same about the preschoolers in the class. Have all preschoolers with blond hair stand up. Have all preschoolers who are wearing something blue stand up. Have all preschoolers who have brown eyes stand up.

Music and Movement – Sing Head Shoulders Knees and Toes. Sing it fast and slow. Loud and Soft.

Arts and Crafts – Create page one of an All About Me Book (a self-portrait).

Math and Science – Teach preschoolers how to play the Egg Carton Counting Game. Add several egg carton counters to your math center and allow several preschoolers at a time to take turns playing the game during center time or free play.

Language and Reading – Read I Like Myself! Have preschoolers share all of the things that they like about themselves with the preschool class.

Tuesday

Circle Time – Go through a standard Circle Time Routine.

Play I Spy Friends to help everyone get to know all of the other preschoolers in their new preschool class.

Music and Movement – Sing If You Are Happy and You Know it. Add variation to the song by using unexpected actions such as, run around, dance around, say hello, etc.

Arts and Crafts – Create page two of an All About Me Book (Things I Like).

Math and Science - Preschool Biology Activity – Eye Dilation

Language and Reading – Re-read I Like Myself! Have preschoolers talk about things they do to make themselves feel better when they feel sad.

Wednesday

Circle Time – Go through a standard Circle Time Routine.

Introduce the Preschool Feel Box. Tell the preschoolers that they will take turns reaching inside the feel box. Let preschoolers know that you expect them not to guess what is inside the feel box until everyone has had a chance to have a turn. Include any item related to the current preschool theme. You may include a sock, a watch, a small hand or foot figure, a bar of soap, etc.

Music and Movement – Do the Hokey Pokey.

Arts and Crafts – Create page three of an All About Me Book (I Am Special).

Math and Science – Preschool Science Activity – Fingerprint Exploring

Language and Reading - Re-read I Like Myself!

Start a Preschool Alphabet Wall. Hang the printed letters on the wall. Have each preschooler help to decorate the letter that their name starts with.

Thursday

Circle Time – Go through a standard Circle Time Routine.

Print each preschoolers name in clear letters on a piece of paper. Post the names all over the preschool classroom. Have each preschooler take turns walking around the room and finding their name. Have the preschoolers bring back their name and show it to the class. Talk about the things that are different about each preschooler's name. Talk about the things that are the same about each preschooler's name. You could talk about how long or short each preschooler's name is, what letters they share with other preschoolers in the class and which preschoolers have more than one of the same letter in their name.

Music and Movement – Sing the ABC's. Have each preschooler stand up when they sing the letter that their name starts with. Sing the ABC's again. This time have preschoolers stand up and sit back down when they hear any letter that is in their name.

Arts and Crafts – Create page four of an All About Me Book (My Favorite Color).

Math and Science – Sit in a circle with all of the preschoolers. Tell them that you are going to blow up a balloon and you need them to count how many times you have to blow before the balloon is full. Blow into the balloon and pinch it closed so you can count with the preschoolers.

Language and Reading – Re-read I Like Myself!

Preschool Writing Activity - N is for Name

Friday

Circle Time – Go through a standard Circle Time Routine.

Have each preschooler bring an item from home that tells something about themselves. This can be done by adding a note on your monthly calendar or sending a note home with each preschooler at the beginning of the week. Give each preschooler a chance to stand up and tell a little bit about the item that they brought. Allow other preschoolers to ask questions about the item.

Music and Movement – Play Ring Around the Rosy.

Arts and Crafts – Create page five of an All About Me Book (My Family).

Assemble the book and send home with the preschoolers.

Math and Science – Play the Egg Carton Counting Game.

Language and Reading - Re-read I Like Myself! Tell the preschoolers in your class how special you think every one of them is. Single out each preschooler and tell the preschool class something positive about that child.

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Helpful Tips for Parents

• Expose children to multiple languages early if possible. The preschool window is the most efficient period for language acquisition the brain will ever have.

• Learning environments matter. A space with accessible books, puzzles, art supplies, and natural materials at child height encourages more learning than a child-proofed empty room.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important educational skill to develop before kindergarten?

Executive function — the cluster of skills that includes working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control — is the strongest predictor of kindergarten and long-term academic success. Executive function is built through play (especially complex pretend play), physical activity, music, and responsive adult interaction. It cannot be taught through drills or worksheets. A child with strong executive function can learn academic content readily when developmentally ready; a child with weak executive function struggles regardless of academic knowledge.

Related reading: See also our counting activities and our writing readiness guide for more ideas on this topic.

🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop

• 💬 Vocabulary Expansion — Every new concept, activity, and domain-specific term a child encounters expands their vocabulary — and children's vocabulary at kindergarten entry is the single strongest predictor of reading comprehension at age 10.
• 🎯 Self-Directed Learning — Learning that begins with the child's own question or interest produces the deepest understanding — and children who experience self-directed learning develop the intrinsic motivation that sustains learning throughout life.
• 🌐 World Knowledge — Background knowledge about the world dramatically accelerates reading comprehension — children who know more understand more of what they read — making every content-area learning experience a literacy investment.
• 😊 Love of Learning — Positive early learning experiences build a child's identity as a learner — and children who see themselves as curious, capable learners approach school with the engagement and resilience that matter more than any specific skill.

Preschoolers will learn how special they really are in this All About Me theme. This weekly preschool curriculum guide focuses on open ended music, art, math and science, and language activities.