Indoor and outdoor gardens - teach the child about the need for food, water and light; a seed must be planted in order to grow, comparing plants to animals (living), etc...

Weather - children forecast the weather during circle time. A tornado built in a bottle explains funnels and air pressure. A mini-volcano teaches about minor chemical reactions (vinegar and baking soda, plaster and water).

Crafts - "Everyone needs five cotton balls. Can you pick up five cotton balls?"

"What shape is this block? What shape is a stop sign?"

Supplies/rules - "How tall is your sandcastle?"

Children are encouraged to solve their own problems with minimal supervision from adults.

A library in each classroom encourages story telling and quiet reading, as well as a respect for materials and for the needs of others.

Color charts - following rules results in blue and privileges; breaking rules results in a color change, possible loss of privileges, redirection to other activities, teacher/parent conversations.

Children help develop some classroom rules - they learn what will help the class be more efficient, fun and safe.

Outdoor play - climbing (dexterity, flexibility, problem solving).

Gymnastics (gym mats and carpet squares) - tumbling, stretching, etc...

Song/Activity - "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes".

Housekeeping Corner - role playing.

Dramatic play (puppet shows, etc.) - develops sharing of ideas, organization, and compromise.

Family-style lunches - children setting up and cleaning up their own portions promotes responsibility and manners.

Center choices - children learn to return items to their proper places.

Job charts - children are assigned a task each day (table helper, line leader, door holder, etc.).

Role playing - children learn through creating life experience such as housekeeping skills pretending to be families and in the library center, playing school and making the "teacher" decisions.

Block/Lego play - constructing structures that represent an image or that can be incorporated in to other play (for example, transportation toys).

Arts/Crafts - children choose materials, colors, etc. to create images. Given ample supply and minimal example, the children develop their own creations.

Science/Magnets - "What can be held together? How much weight can be held?"

Science/Lava Lamps - "What materials float? Which materials sink?"

Styrofoam builders - children can create "life-size" structures.

Display - works created by the children are placed on the walls at their eye level.

Giving - artwork created by the children are given to parents, teachers or classmates.

Realization - "the block structure will support the weight of the truck" or "the oil does float in the water".