Hobbies And Interests
Skin Color Activities
Teach the preschoolers about skin color using knee-high stockings. Place knee-high stockings in tan, nude, black and brown. Explain to the children that some people have a different skin color; however, that makes them no different on the inside. Have the children place the stockings on the arms and legs. Ask the preschoolers to try to find the stocking that matches their skin color. You can also play a matching game by taping small pieces of the stocking to index cards (two of each color). Place the cards face down and have the preschoolers play a game of memory. The child who finds the most pairs wins the game.
Passport Activities
Make a passport activity for the children using a camera and construction paper. Help each child make a passport book using construction paper. Take their picture and print the picture to attach to the front of the passport. Each day or once a week, the children can make a craft project that relates to another country. Some examples include a conga drum for Africa, a Chinese dragon for China, a Japanese koi for Japan and a dream catcher for North America. Take the child's picture with each craft and make a page with his picture along with information about the country.
Circle Activities
Ask the preschoolers to sit in a circle and hand one preschooler a stone. Tell the preschoolers that many Native Americans believe you cannot speak unless you are holding a stone. Each preschooler must take a turn holding the stone and sharing with the group one thing he notices different about himself from other people. For example, one child could say "I have several freckles on my face and arm" or someone else could say "I have very curly hair." This activity teaches the children that everyone is different in some ways. Alternatively, you can use a stick instead of a stone.
Chopstick Activities
Explain to the preschoolers that some cultures eat using only chopsticks and do not have silverware. Give each child a pair of chopsticks and have her practice picking up cotton balls, candy and blocks. After the children practice, set a timer and see who can pick up the most items in a certain amount of time. You can also have the children stack blocks using the chopsticks and see who can build the tallest block tower. Chopstick activities also build fine motor skills and hand-to-eye coordination.