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(Unit 7) Topic 6: Ready Set Go: Playing Games in the Classroom ​

2 Clock Hours of Early Childhood Education

Incorporating Games in the Preschool Classroom

​Topic 6 Page 8

​The preschool classroom can be a great place to start introducing the idea of games with rules and the complex world of winning and losing. It is also an opportunity for enhancing developmental skills such as fine and gross motor, social skills, and sensory development. In order to make the most of the activity or game, teachers should record observations and make adjustments to the activity when necessary.  

Fine Motor
Supporting fine motor development in the classroom can be done easily throughout the day. Simple games to support fine motor development include lace boards, dough, drawing or coloring, practicing letters with water on a chalkboard, and many more activities that can placed around the classroom or in centers for free access to. Board games such as Chutes and Ladders or Candyland could also be introduced if the children are developmentally ready. Observe the way each child handles the activities presented to them and if they have any particular difficulties in order to make changes.

Gross Motor
Developing gross motor skills is often considered an outdoor activity, however there are ways to practice these skills indoors too. Using music in the classroom is a great way to get children moving, especially if the song has directions for how to move. Activities like running, throwing, kicking, riding on scooters, and duck, duck, goose are all examples of gross motor skill activities. When the children in your care are participating in these activities, it can be useful to make observations of what they do and if they have any special techniques or ways of doing things. 

Social Skills
This is a great time to practice social skills. While natural communication will happen, teachers can also put a child in charge of certain “game pieces” so that they will need to use social skills to be able to play the game successfully. Taking turns is another skill that will naturally be practiced while playing a game. This may be a difficult concept for some children to understand and will require understanding and a consideration for the age-group that you are working with.

• Gross Motor Activities for Preschoolers, The Inspired Treehouse, LLC
• Using Games to Enrich Preschool and Kindergarten Programs, Donna Perovich and Jillian Mangan, Children's School​