Pre-K : Play &  Appropriate Examples of Play: 

Development  ● Centers​: Housekeeping, writing, art, blocks, 

sensory, tabletops, technology,drama, nature 
and science, math and manipulatives  
● Music & Movement: ​GoNoodle, Play 
Instruments, Dancing to songs, Flocabulary, 
Recess 
● Large group instruction​: Songs & Hand 
Movements, Interactive Read Alouds 

 
Importance of Play: 
Play supports all domains of Development! 
Development Milestones: 
1. Social/ Emotional: ​Increases communication 
● Physical:  skills, supports sharing, teaches students how 
- Fine Motor: put  to handle conflict, learn how to express 
together simple puzzles,  themselves, 
minimal helps with 
zippers/snaps/buttons,  2. ​ hysical: ​Fine and gross motor skills, works 
P
draw basic shapes and  on physical fitness, builds coordination and 
lines, string beads. Use  balance 
scissors, pinch and shape  3. Cognitive: ​Problem solving, counting, 
playdough   thinking and learning, understanding, 
- Gross Motor: jump with two feet,  remembering, concentration and attention 
open door handles, throw and 
bounce a ball, pedal/steer bike or 
tricycle   Resources: 
● Cognitiv​e: sorting things by size, shape, and  ● Website: GoNoodle 
color, count to at least 20, stick with an  https://www.gonoodle.com 
activity for 10-15 minutes, put things in order  ● Activity: 
from biggest to smallest, shortest to tallest,  ○ Playground/ Park in the Community  
understand pictures and symbols stand for  ● Books: 
○ Planning for Play, Observation, and 
read things  Learning in Preschool and 
● Social/Emotional:​ start tattling and acting a  Kindergarten by Gaye 
Gronlund 
little bossy, start to show a wider range of 
○ Play: How 
emotions, doing or saying things to see what  it shapes the Brain, Opens the 
the reaction will be, having imaginary friends,  Imagination and Invigorates 
enjoying telling silly stories and finding things  the Soul by Dr. Stuart Brown 
funny, may still have tantrums due to change   
in routine or not getting what they want  
● Article: NAEYC: ​Searching for the Meaning of 
  Play​ by Todd Erikson