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Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Preschool Graduation Programming Ideas & Tips To Keep You (and your Preschoolers) Sane!

by Cheryl Hatch from Preschool Plan It

Preschool concerts and plays can either be fun and enriching or stressing and full of dread for your preschoolers - and for YOU! It all depends on your focus!  I am a firm believer that we should not "do" programs just because "the families love them".  

Don't get me wrong, I am all about group fun with the children so long as THEIR needs are our main focus and consideration when planning them and NOT to please families or "show off" our teaching abilities to get 24 children to comply with a program!  ;)

If you are considering a concert or a play as your end of the year program, I have a lot of information to help you plan!

1.  Keep Your Focus!


When planning any type of program for your preschoolers, look at each group individually.  

2.  The "Wiggles": They HAPPEN!


You can COUNT on your children getting the wiggles during their program!  

Be prepared!  Let's plan for them!  

Have a list of activities, songs and music/movement ideas to break up your program!


3.  Musical Concert Ideas



Looking for concert ideas for your program?  You need not look further than your preschoolers' favorite songs from the year!  

Encourage them to list their favorite songs from the year and sing those!

We've had a "Preschool Movin' and Groovin' " themed end of the year concert that highlighted some of our favorite Greg & Steve and Dr. Jean songs.

We've also had a "Farmyard Fun" themed concert where the children sang their favorite animal songs and, of course, Greg & Steve's Chicken Dance medley!

I have details of these and other concert ideas here!

4.  Act It Out Play Ideas



We've had many years where the children acted out their favorite stories!  How about a "Preschool is Hoppin' " program where the children act out stories you read during the program such as Jump, Frog, Jump by Robert Kalan and It's Mine by Leo Lionni? 

You can find more details to these and other act it out play ideas here!

I hope these articles help you to plan a program that will be fun for the children, families and you!

About the author
Cheryl Hatch has taught and directed preschool programs for over 20 years.  She is the Creator and Owner of Preschool Plan It, a website dedicated to sharing preschool themes, activities, articles and training with early childhood educators.  She volunteers as the coordinator and teacher of the MOPPETS program in her town (a preschool program for the M.O.P.S.--Mothers of Preschoolers Program).  She has her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education.  Cheryl has been an active, integral member and leader within the Teachers.Net Early Childhood community for many years, moderating live chats and providing peer support on the Preschool Teachers Chatboard.  You can read Cheryl’s articles, activities and themed preschool lesson plans at www.preschool-plan-it.com 

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