Coin collectors

Our preK students recently spent some time exploring coins.  We took a look at pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters.  And while this activity took a little different turn than expected, it turned out to be the perfect way to introduce money to preschoolers…

Coin collectors by Teach Preschool

We started out our activity by examining our coins.  We try to use real hands-on materials whenever possible to give children life-like experiences, so, of course, our coins were real.  But if you can’t use real change in your classroom, that’s okay too.  There are a lot of plastic coins available that bear a close resemblance to the real thing.  The children all took one of each coin.  We looked at the colors and shapes of the coins and compared their similarities and differences. And then we began naming the coins.   We explained that a penny equals one cent, that a nickel equals five cents, and so on.  We decided to take it step further and began to explain how five pennies equal one nickel, and how ten pennies equal one dime…

Coin collectors by Teach Preschool

Coin collectors by Teach Preschool

Well, our lesson started to get confusing to the children so we decided to take the activity in a different direction…

Coin collectors by Teach Preschool

One of our students had already figured out how to do coin rubbings and was working on his coin rubbing so the rest of us just joined in on his idea…

Coin collectors by Teach Preschool

The children loved coloring over the different coins to see the imprint magically appear on their paper.  The children colored over each of the different coins, over and over again, always excited to see what picture would appear…

Coin collectors by Teach Preschool

And it turned out that coin rubbings were the perfect way to introduce money to our preschoolers…

Coin collectors by Teach Preschool

The lesson to be learned here?  It’s okay to scrap an idea mid-lesson if it just isn’t working out.  It’s okay to switch directions or to abandon the idea altogether.  Follow your children’s lead and the learning will happen but perhaps not in the way you have expected at that moment…

Coin collectors by Teach Preschool

A simple thing like crayon rubbings can spark interest in an activity in a way that just may surprise you!

Available on Amazon

Links to Grow On

Money Math for Preschoolers from Crayon Freckles

Coin Rubbing Matching Game from Blog Me Mom

Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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