Back-to-school season is an exciting time for preschoolers, filled with new experiences and challenges. As they embark on this new journey, it’s essential to instill a growth mindset that will help them approach learning with enthusiasm and resilience. In today’s post, we’ll explore a “Ready to Grow” craft that combines creativity with the principles of a growth mindset. Dive into our Free Preschool Back to School Craft and watch as your young learners blossom.

Why a Growth Mindset Matters for Preschoolers

In the dynamic world of preschool, children are constantly presented with new experiences that require adaptability. A growth mindset fosters:

1. Resilience: Encouraging kids to bounce back from setbacks and challenges.
2. Curiosity: Nurturing a love for learning and exploration.
3. Confidence: Building self-belief and trust in their abilities.

Equipping young learners with this mindset sets a strong foundation for their educational journey.

Lesson Plan: “Ready to Grow” Craft Activity

Objective:

Students will create a craft representing growth and will engage with writing prompts to reflect on their readiness to learn and grow during the school year.

Materials Needed:

• Free Preschool Back to School Craft kit (containing plant templates and writing prompts)
• Glue
• Safety scissors
• Markers or crayons

Procedure:

1. Introduction (5 minutes)
   • Initiate a discussion on what it means to grow, relating it to plants that need water, sunlight, and care. Emphasize that just like plants, children can grow and learn.
   • Introduce the “Ready to Grow” craft.
2. Craft Activity (15 minutes)
   • Distribute the Free Preschool Back to School Craft kits to each student.
   • Allow children to color and decorate their plant templates.
   • Guide them in cutting out their plants safely and gluing them onto paper.
3. Interactive Discussion (5 minutes)
   • Engage children with the provided writing prompts. For preschoolers, this might mean discussing the prompts as a group rather than writing.
   • Questions might include: “How do you want to grow this year?”
4. Reflection and Closing (5 minutes)
   • Display the crafts around the room and encourage students to share their plants and discuss how they wish to grow throughout the year.
   • Emphasize that it’s okay to make mistakes, as they’re a part of growing.
   • Recap the importance of always trying, being curious, and embracing challenges.
   • Encourage students to look at their plants throughout the year as a reminder of their growth journey.

Tips for a Successful Growth Mindset Activity

• Encourage Effort: Praise the effort rather than the outcome.
• Share Stories: Discuss famous individuals who succeeded through perseverance.
• Stay Positive: Frame challenges as opportunities for growth.

Conclusion

The “Ready to Grow” craft is not just an art activity; it’s a tangible representation of each child’s unique growth journey. By integrating this Free Preschool Back to School Craft into your curriculum, you’re fostering a love for learning and a resilient mindset that will benefit your students for years to come.

Sample Video

Students learn best from watching real students their own age model skills. Try out this sample video-modeling lesson below. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 30 days here!

Related Blog Posts:

Using Video Modeling to Teach Growth Mindset

Growth Mindset for Special Education: Activities and Discussions

Promoting Problem-Solving in Children: Fun and Interactive Worksheets