Teaching Mama is an education blog that shares hands-on learning activities for toddlers and preschoolers. Their mission is to provide parents and teachers with the tools they need to create a rich early childhood experience for children. I like that the Preschool tab is organized by learning topics. I struggle to find resources with Gross Motor Skills activities that engage other learning standards, and I appreciate how she involves math and critical thinking with her Gross Motor activities. 

Authentic Learning Experience: Children learn to think critically about the world around them as they engage with activities at home. By using common household materials, students actively apply what they learn in real life situations because the activities mimic the work of professionals. Learning occurs through project-based approaches and discovery learning opportunities. 

Developmentally Appropriate Practices: The project-based approach lets children’s interest lead where they engage and learn. Preschool age children learn executive function skills including planning, critical thinking, and self-control when they participate in discovery learning. This resource is culturally appropriate in that she includes the whole family in the learning resources, and includes helpful resources for parents on child development and parenting. 

Learning Standards: 

Language and Communication

Goal P-LC 1. Child attends to communication and language from others.

Goal P-LC 4. Child understands, follows, and uses appropriate social and conversational rules.

Goal P-LC 6. Child understands and uses a wide variety of words for a variety of purposes.

Mathematics Development

Goal P-MATH 3. Child understands the relationship between numbers and quantities.

Goal P-MATH 9. Child identifies, describes, compares, and composes shapes.

Scientific Reasoning

Goal P-SCI 4. Child asks a question, gathers information, and makes predictions.

Goal P-SCI 5. Child plans and conducts investigations and experiments.

Goal P-SCI 6. Child analyzes results, draws conclusions, and communicates results.

Source: https://teachingmama.org/