preschool activities about the sun
## Shining a Light on Learning: Fun Preschool Activities About the Sun
The sun! It's bright, it's warm, and it's essential for life on Earth. Preschoolers are naturally curious about the world around them, and the sun is a fascinating object to explore. Here are some fun and educational activities to help your little learners soak up some sun knowledge:
Sun-Themed Sensory Bins
Sensory bins are a fantastic way to engage preschoolers' senses and encourage exploration.For a sun-inspired sensory bin, fill a container with yellow sand or rice. Add some small objects like plastic suns, stars, and raindrops. You can even include items representing different times of day, like a moon for night and a beach ball for sunny days. Encourage children to dig, scoop, and sort the objects, talking about their textures and colors.
DIY Paper Plate Sun Craft
This simple craft is a great way to introduce children to the concept of the sun's rays.Cut a paper plate in half. Have the children paint the curved edge of the plate yellow and let it dry. Then, cut out long, thin strips of orange and yellow construction paper to represent sun rays. Glue the strips to the back of the paper plate, radiating outwards. You can add a smiling face to the sun with markers or crayons.
Follow the Sun Game
This active game helps children understand the sun's movement throughout the day.Start the game in the morning, facing the sun. Have the children follow its path as it moves across the sky. You can use a stick or a pointer to show the direction of the sun. Talk about how the sun seems to "rise" in the east and "set" in the west. You can even extend the game by having the children draw or paint their observations of the sun's position at different times of the day.
Storytime Under the Sun
Reading books about the sun is a wonderful way to spark children's imaginations and expand their understanding.Choose age-appropriate books that explore the sun's role in our lives. You can find books about the different parts of the sun, how it provides light and heat, or even stories about sunbeams and sunshine. Encourage children to participate by asking questions and making predictions about what might happen next in the story.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. With a little creativity, you can easily incorporate the sun into your preschool activities and help your little ones learn and grow.