Fav Preschool Teacher Materials
I was a preschool teacher for the past 7 years and loved it! I specifically taught 3-year-olds, but these materials are vital for any early education teacher.
An inexpensive, vital tool to keep activities in use for years. I made many of my own activities, so my laminator was in constant use.
Visual timers increase productivity and reduce the times your students will ask you when each activity is ending.
Storage clipboards kept my rosters and all student information in one place as we transitioned to each room in the school.
Don't waste your money on other dry erase markers. I've used many, many brands. Expo markers are the only ones that last and don't leave coloration stains on the whiteboard.
I love using these pouches for dry erase tracing worksheets, playdoh activity mats, and anything else I can think of to increase my students' learning.
I taught 3-year-olds and LOVED the lift-assist Dollar Tree scissors. They are perfect for beginners who are working on their fine motor skills.
Great incentive for small groups whether on worksheets or the student's hands.
Information passes quickly throughout the school day and I need constant reminders. I would always have post-it notes on hand.
Love this handy tool for creating tracing worksheets instantly.
I use these response paddles to do my informal assessments at the end of large group lessons to see how well my students are absorbing the information.
Greeting charts were used each time we came into the classroom. It gave me one-on-one moments with each of my students as well as teaching social skills.
Great for free-form seat arrangement. I would also use these dots to create groups for lessons, games, and center choosing.
I advocate for incentives that the class earns altogether. These types of incentives build community and take time to earn (limiting instant gratification which increases tantrums).
Build community and responsibility by assigning class jobs. I like to change the jobs daily to keep students' interest.
I always keep several weighted stuffed animals in my classroom. Whether I have fidgety students, students with autism, or students who have difficulty keeping hands to themselves--these stuffed animals are great tools.
Keep a solution kit in your classroom in a specified calm-down area. The solution kit should have sensory/fidget tools, emotional cards/posters, and solution stories.
I did lots of fun, messy activities in my classroom, so smocks were essential. I also kept a smock accessible at the easel for whenever I had a student who wanted to paint.
My classroom was all about strengthening students' prewriting skills, but when I had students ready to begin handwriting, these grips showed them the correct finger positions.
Whether I was creating my own games/activities or just hanging things up on my classroom walls, I always had Velcro dots in stock.
Tangible shape bags like these are great for small or large group games. They are very versatile.
Great for preparing small group materials for each student.
I always have sand timers in the front of the room for students to grab on their own (after being taught how to use them) so they can take turns with toys or activities.
Essential for small groups with loose manipulatives or messy art projects.
I used conversation cards during lunchtime when things would get loud or when things were too quiet. I wanted to teach my students how to have conversations with their peers.
Specifically at the start of the school year, I use tape to mark the center spaces and create placement visuals for my students. (Nonverbal directives)