The first few weeks of school don’t have to be all rules and routines.
If you’re a preschool teacher staring down the first month of school, you’re probably hearing this:
Establish routines. Teach expectations. Start assessing early.
And while routines and expectations matter, something gets lost when we jump straight into academics:
✨ Curiosity.
✨ Joy.
✨ Connection.
These aren’t extras—they’re the foundation of real learning.
So what if we flipped the script?
The Problem: Too Much Pressure, Too Soon
It’s easy to feel like you’re already behind—before the year even starts.
There’s pressure to “prove learning,” fill portfolios, and make sure kids are “ready.”
But here’s what I’ve learned after supporting thousands of educators:
Kids aren’t ready to learn until they feel safe, seen, and engaged.
And guess what fosters that more effectively than circle time or a worksheet?
Play.
The Shift: Let Curiosity Lead
Play is how young children process the world.
It’s where they explore, test, talk, and try again.
When we start the year by observing what sparks their curiosity and following it with simple STEAM invitations, we’re doing more than teaching science or art.
We’re saying:
–Your thinking matters.
– Your questions are welcome here.
– This classroom is a place for wonder.
The Framework: The Play-Based STEAM Path
At Preschool STEAM, we use a simple 3-step flow to ease into the year without overwhelm:
- Invite Play (M.O.W. = Moments of Wonder)
Set up open-ended invitations that spark curiosity and hands-on exploration. - Observe & Guide
Watch what kids are drawn to, listen to their questions, and ask guiding questions. - Extend the Learning
Add STEAM materials, build on interests, or document the discoveries through art, journaling, or discussion.
Try Playdough Prints:
One of our August M.O.W. (moments of wonder) invitations is called “Playdough Prints.”
Kids roll out dough and press classroom objects into it—like keys, blocks, shells, or buttons.
What happens next?
They start noticing patterns. Asking questions. Comparing textures.
Suddenly, you’re not just “playing with playdough”—you’re laying the foundation for science, engineering, and observation skills.
And all you did was set the stage and follow their lead.
Start Simple. Stay Curious.
You don’t need a 30-page lesson plan to start the year strong.
You need a few open-ended invitations, a mindset of curiosity, and space to observe what unfolds.
Want ready-to-use STEAM ideas delivered monthly?
The Preschool STEAM Membership gives you a new play-based guide every month—plus planning tools and support to help you feel confident and creative.
✅ Simple weekly invitations
✅ STEAM extension ideas
✅ Planning templates + reflection prompts
✅ Access to our full Lesson Library
👉 Click here to learn more and join anytime.
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