Preschoolers Warm to an Icy Idea

What's a preschool teacher to do with the Chicago area's unpredictable winter weather and a classroom full of students eager to learn and play?

That's one question Immanuel preschool teacher Linda Kinsella found easy to answer. She created an "ice rink" right in her own classroom. Make that two ice rinks - one for figure skating and one for hockey.

She simply gathered a few props: white tarps, plastic hockey sticks, cones, books, and various items from her classroom. Her students and their imaginations took it from there.

Students loved "skating" and took their pretend roles very seriously. They rotated - some were skaters and some "worked" at the ice rink. First, children "paid" their admission and then they measured their feet for "skates." Skating and concessions came next. Students' fine and large motor skills were put to the test in both of these areas, though they probably didn't realize it.

The "hot chocolate" was really mini pompoms that they had to pick up and put in a cup. The "popcorn" consisted of crunched up pieces of paper.

Students expended energy on the "ice rinks" and were very happy to show off new skills, like skating backward. Boys and girls enjoyed the opportunity to both figure skate and play hockey.

The ice rink itself was only one part of the learning. Kinsella read them stories about skating, and the book corner was full of theme-related books on skating that they could choose to read themselves. Students also delighted in a preschool family field trip to Disney on Ice.

There was a lot going on behind the fun.

"I value, support and plan dramatic play activities within my classroom because they meet children where they are developmentally, and allow me to observe and move students forward with highly-engaging activities that cross curricula naturally," Kinsella said

"Curricula covered during this social studies unit included literature, vocabulary, comprehension, measurement, sequencing, pre-reading, recording, large and small motor skills, creativity, problem solving, and self-regulation, to name a few. These were all incorporated into our play while having fun. Every child wanted to participate, giving them multiple opportunities to strengthen their skills."

Engaging activities for preschoolers will be showcased next month in an interactive environment. Immanuel Lutheran will hold a "Maker Night" preschool-eighth grade open house for the entire community from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 14.

Children will be able to make a variety of things, and activities will be STEAM-focused.

Immanuel Lutheran School, 200 N. Plum Grove Road, is two blocks east of the Palatine Metra Train Station. For tours and enrollment information, contact Marlene Tres, Early Childhood director, at ECdirector@ilcp.org or (847) 660-4163.

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