Having themes in the preschool classroom is a wonderful way to get toddlers engaged and excited about learning. Focusing on a particular topic and providing children with specific lesson plans and activities about that subject makes learning fun. Here are a few ideas of September themes for your preschool.
September Theme Ideas for Preschool
Honey Theme
To celebrate September being National Honey Month, incorporating honey as a classroom theme during this month is beneficial. Bringing awareness to the beekeeper industry and the use of honey as a natural sweetener, this delicious syrup is recognized all month long.
To get preschoolers interested in this theme, Winnie the Pooh would be a perfect companion to help learn all about honey, as he is one of the biggest fans of this sweet treat. Decorate with pictures of Pooh and his friends, flowers, bees, and even beekeepers. Set up lessons involving information about the importance of bees, how they make honey, and how it is distributed. Plan out activities to get preschoolers engaged in honey education. Watch a “Bee Movie” and read books about honey such as “A Taste of Honey” by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace. Get crafty making bee finger puppets or coloring beehives.
Health and Fitness Theme
Family Health and Fitness Day is always the last Saturday in September. Celebrate this day by making health and fitness a preschool theme during this month. As well-being and exercise is a continuous and lifelong journey, it is imperative to help children learn about the importance of eating right and daily physical fitness at a young age.
Engage young learners by decorating the classroom with pictures of sports, dancers, athletes, and other active people. Showcase healthy foods, such as vegetables and nutritional meals and snacks. Hang up health charts, food pyramids and body diagrams for kids to view. Activities concerning how to make healthy food choices and how to eat right are essential lessons. Practice daily fitness by incorporating light exercises throughout the day, such as morning and afternoon stretches, as well as yoga. Get toddlers moving by setting up non-competitive sports games, obstacle courses, and group dance parties.
American Sign Language Theme
Observed annually as the last full week in September, Deaf Awareness Week is celebrated across the country and other parts of the world. Promoting positivity and acceptance of Deaf culture, activities are organized to encourage awareness of the Deaf community and facilitate learning and understanding. American Sign Language (ASL) allows the Deaf community to communicate with each other, as well as, with people of the hard-of-hearing and hearing communities.
Dress up the preschool classroom with the American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet and number signs. Feature prominent people of the Deaf community and showcase their accomplishments, such as Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, who was a pioneer in the education of the Deaf. Engage preschoolers in learning American Sign Language by teaching them how to fingerspell their name. Students can begin to sign early learning words and phrases, such as yes, no, please, thank you and I love you. Familiarize students with Deaf culture scenarios, for example, how they know if someone is at the door or how they know the phone is ringing. By introducing children to ASL at an early age, teachers and parents can help bridge the communication gap between the different communities.