Building Foundations – Preschool

Introduction

In preschool, students have been learning great themes and concepts. Our latest theme is that that of “building.”  

They have learned words like wood, stone and brick but also big words like foundations, blueprints, supports, and balance.  Big word for little ones, but words they grow to understand. 

Reading Time

Students are exposed to a diverse array of rich literature as well as engaging hands-on activities. Some titles the kids read with their teacher are: B is for Builder, Houses and Homes, The Little House, The Three Little Pigs, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”

After reading traditional and non-traditional books, fiction and non-fiction, they contemplate questions:  What types of homes did you observe?  What is the difference between them? Which house was the strongest?  Which was the weakest?”

The children can analyze the differences between weak, medium and strong foundations. They also see the differences between homes, not only in Spain but homes in different cultures.  The diverse book titles and varying cultural perspectives of the concept of homes is important so that the students have an open-mind towards what homes and foundations can look like.

Center Time

During their center time activities, one of their favorite hands-on activities was building three houses. They were offered different materials: straw, sticks and stones. This sensory activity has brought to life the meaning of weak, medium and strong foundations.

They especially enjoyed creating the stone houses, as it was easier to build, and they were able to understand the importance of a strong foundation. If the “building blocks” are strong, the construction is easier to create. In trying to build homes of straw and sticks, some grew frustrated. This temporary frustration was part of the lesson, as they realized they could not get far building with weak foundations and building materials.

Biblical Integration

Their teacher, links these popular children’s stories to the bible story of The Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24 -27, Luke 6:46 – 49).

In the bible story, they learn about the wise man who builds his house on the rock and the foolish man who builds his house on the sand.   Students are able to analyze what will happen to these houses if rain and wind challenge their foundations.  In the same way, the students are given strong foundations to grow and stand strong in the storms of life. 

Students are encouraged to build their lives with strong foundations, focusing on the importance of great values which they learn daily at LIFE.