Fun for the kids! | Carpet Squares!

Whether you have a hardwood floor, a ceramic tile floor, a laminate floor, or wall to wall carpeting, carpet tiles, (or squares) are wonderful to use with preschoolers. 

Preschoolers are learning organization, large and small muscles skills, and how the world works.  Carpet squares can be used in a variety of activities to teach these skills.
If each child has a carpet square, then organizing preschoolers for activities becomes much easier.  Children are instructed to sit upon their square, in their own personal space, without touching other children.  Calling children to story time where they each bring their own square eliminates much of the jostling, tussling, and arguing that can go on.

Shapes are a concept that preschoolers are learning, and carpet squares are an excellent means to do that.  Arrange the carpet squares in whatever shape you want the children to learn that day.  It might be a circle, a square, a triangle, or a rectangle.  Then have the children sit one per square.  Play the “mix up game.”  On your signal they must pick up their carpet square, and move around the room.  On the next signal, they must form their carpet squares back into whatever shape is called out.

Working in stations is usually the norm for many activities in preschool.  Use the carpet squares to designate how many children may be at that station.  Perhaps you have 4 children at sand play, 2 at water play, 2 at painting, and 3 at a science project. 

Going outside for sit-down activities can be an issue for some children.  Want to have storytime under the trees, but Janie doesn’t like to sit on the ground?  Take the carpet squares and use them as sit-upons. 

Back indoors, the carpet squares can be used for stepping stone games, snack time, and balance activities.  “Keeping your body on the carpet square, how many ways can you think to balance?  One foot?  One knee and two hands? “  Or carpet square Choo-Choo is a great way to teach children to form a line.  There are so many creative activities that can be done with carpet squares.