Anyone have any ideas for a fun, different speaker for preschool aged kids? I work at a small preschool, and we try to have one fun guest speaker a week during the summer months. We have your typical fireman and policeman, like always, and this year we are also having a veterinarian come talk to them about taking care of and being kind to animals. The speaker can be educational or just fun.


Also, if you have any ideas for any fun activities or crafts those are always welcome. We get the same kids every year, so it gets difficult to not be so repetitve for the oldest kids.

4/15/2011 8:26:40 AM

Anyone out there in tdub land a nutritionist, fitness instruction, or work in weather willing to volunteer their time to speak to kids,

4/15/2011 9:55:13 AM

newscaster, dentist, athlete, doctor

begonias is a fitness instructor, maybe she would do it?

how many kids are there?

4/15/2011 11:55:58 AM

4/15/2011 12:15:43 PM

define "different"

4/15/2011 12:17:03 PM

Different as in a bear, not a human. duh

[Edited on April 15, 2011 at 12:22 PM. Reason : Except Smokey doesn't talk. The ranger with him has to do the talking.]

4/15/2011 12:21:58 PM

I can teach them origami and animals in Japanese

4/15/2011 1:02:12 PM

clown

4/15/2011 1:03:40 PM

At most there will be 24 kids I think, and only half of them will be paying attention at any given time. Ages 1-4, really only expecting the threes and fours to learn a bit, the youngers just need to be entertained. And it's a nonprofit preschool, so hiring someone isn't really an option.

4/15/2011 2:46:31 PM

An "Army Man"?

i.e. a uniformed service member?

4/15/2011 5:06:42 PM

Oooh, hadn't even thought of that!

4/15/2011 10:53:59 PM

<--- neuroscientist?

4/15/2011 11:01:58 PM

Lol. What would you teach them?

4/15/2011 11:11:04 PM

There is a recent study that shows if you tell children that they can actually CHANGE their brain by learning things, they tend to perform better. I think this is sooo awesome.

I'd probably try to obtain brain "stress balls" and hand those out and maybe see if some nearby school could donate a sheep brain or something for me to bring in and show the kiddies.

I'd tell them about the things neuroscientists do.

One particular neuroscientist at Duke is currently working on putting chips in paralyzed people's brains and connects them to a full body suit so that they can walk... kind of like iRobot!

Kids always think that a scientist is an old man with grey hair who stands there with his little test tubes and beakers but they don't know that most scientists don't fit that mold at all!

4/15/2011 11:13:15 PM

in MA, they brought a bunch of kids to the USCG air station. the kids were more excited about climbing on the rescue raft (which looks like a tent/bouncy house) than hearing about rescue missions.

4/16/2011 10:44:34 AM

They're fucking pre-school kids. Whoever said dentist or doctor needs to hang around kids. They only thing that would grab a small fraction of these kids' attentions is something ridiculous or something in a uniform.

So basically the shit you've already done (policeman, fireman), or whatever school/pro mascot is closest to you...I don't care if it's a high school. Or maybe get a professional clown. That is their job.

4/16/2011 11:40:24 AM

4/16/2011 12:24:16 PM

ITT, egyeyes confuses neuroscientist w/ neuroses

4/16/2011 2:05:59 PM

Quote :

"They're fucking pre-school kids. Whoever said dentist or doctor needs to hang around kids. They only thing that would grab a small fraction of these kids' attentions is something ridiculous or something in a uniform."

wrong! you really underestimate children

we "interviewed" the school's custodian and the children were mesmerized the entire time. it was pretty awesome. also if any of the parents have a unique or interesting job or talent that would be cool. for example, is one of them a guitar player? he/she could come in and lead some sing along songs with the kids.

also, since it's summer you should bring in some camping equipment. put up a tent, roll out the sleeping bags, and pretend to look at the stars or roast marshmallows over a campfire. or dress up in bathing suits (over the clothes) and play in the sand table and pretend you're at the beach. don't forget flip flops, sunglasses, towels, etc. have them keep/bring extra clothes, rainboots, raincoats, umbrellas so you can still play outside even in rainy weather.

are you looking to hit on any academic objectives as well? we just finished up a unit on weather so PM me if you want more specific ideas of books and activities!



[Edited on April 16, 2011 at 2:52 PM. Reason : ]

4/16/2011 2:40:24 PM

^You're awesome!!

4/16/2011 9:13:48 PM

Thanks for the ideas! Meg and egyeyes, I shall be contacting you!

4/16/2011 10:16:50 PM