China Preschool Hands-on Activities and Printables

This China Country Pack provides an engaging and hands-on learning experience for preschool and primary students. This educational tool helps children learn about geography by exploring China, its culture, people, landmarks, animals, and flag. It improves their geographical knowledge, cognitive skills, fine motor skills, and mastering of some early mathematic concepts and encourages curiosity.

About China

China is a country located in East Asia and is the fourth largest country in the world in terms of land area. The capital of China is Beijing. China has a population of over 1.4 billion people, which is the largest in the world.

China is famous for its culture, history, and landmarks such as the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army, and the Forbidden City. China also has a diverse landscape, consisting of mountains, forests, deserts, and rivers.

animals that hibernate montessori nature free printables pegs cards tracing print fall winter

The official language of China is Mandarin Chinese, but there are also many other dialects spoken throughout the country. China’s currency is the yuan or renminbi.

Chinese cuisine is world-renowned, with dishes such as dumplings, fried rice, and noodles being popular around the globe. China is also famous for its tea, which comes in many varieties.

Education is highly valued in China, and the country has some of the top universities in the world. China is also known for its advancements in technology and innovation, with companies such as Huawei, Alibaba, and Tencent being leaders in their respective fields.

In recent years, China has become an important player in global politics and economics, with the country being a member of organizations such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.

Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays in China and is celebrated with feasts, fireworks, and parades. The celebration lasts several days and marks the start of the lunar new year.

China is a fascinating country with a rich history, culture, and many unique features that make it an exciting place to learn about.

roll and traditional Chinese food on a plate

Learning about China is important for children for several reasons:

Promotes Cultural Awareness and Understanding: Learning about China can help preschool children to understand and appreciate the cultural differences and diversity in the world. It can also promote empathy and respect for people from different backgrounds.

Enhances Cognitive Development: Learning about China can enhance preschool children’s cognitive development by introducing them to a variety of new concepts, ideas, and vocabulary. It can also help them to develop critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities.

Prepares Them for the Future: China is an influential nation in the world today and will likely continue to be so in the future. Learning about China can prepare preschool children for their future by giving them a deeper understanding of the country’s role in global politics, economy, and culture.

Exposure to Another Language and Script: China has a rich history and culture of language and script, and learning about it can expose preschool children to another language and script, which can enhance their language skills and open up possibilities for future language learning.

Enhances Social Skills: Learning about China can also help preschool children enhance their social skills by introducing them to new people, concepts, and customs. It can also encourage them to ask questions, share their own opinions, and engage in group discussion with peers.

CHINA – themed hands-on activities for kids

Sandpaper Chinese characters: Children can learn basic Chinese characters by tracing them with their fingers on sandpaper. This tactile activity helps children develop fine motor skills and learn the strokes that make up Chinese characters.

Sorting and matching red envelopes: During Chinese New Year, children can sort and match red envelopes (红包) by size, color, or pattern. This activity can help develop math skills and increase knowledge of Chinese culture.

Counting beads: Use traditional Chinese counting beads known as abacus (算盘) to help children learn basic math skills such as addition and subtraction.

Cultural dress-up: Children can dress up in traditional Chinese clothing like the qipao (旗袍) or the hanfu (汉服). This activity not only introduces them to Chinese culture but also helps build confidence and self-awareness.

Chinese food tasting: Children can taste various Chinese dishes and learn about the ingredients and cooking methods. This activity can help promote healthy food choices and expand their palates.

These activities can help children learn about Chinese culture and develop essential skills through fun, hands-on experiences.

CHINA Preschool Country Pack

Clip-on Cards.

Gather materials: You will need clip-on cards, a clipboard or tray to hold the cards, and a designated area for the activity.

Explain the activity: Introduce the clip-on cards by explaining what they are and how they work. Tell the children that each card has a picture or a word, and they will need to clip a clothespin on the correct answer.

Demonstrate: Hold up a card and demonstrate how to clip the clothespin onto the correct answer. Encourage the children to watch carefully and ask questions if they have any.

Wrap up: Collect the clip-on cards and clothespins and put them away in their designated spot. Ask the children to share their favorite card or station and praise their efforts and participation.

3 Part Cards

Step 1: Introduction
Introduce the Montessori 3 Part Cards to the children by explaining that the cards are used to learn about different topics and objects in an interactive way. Show the children some sample cards, and explain how they can be used.

Step 2: Demonstration
After introducing the Montessori 3 Part Cards, demonstrate how to use them. Explain how to match the picture cards, word cards, and definition cards, and how to place them in a row or column. Show how to read the words and definitions out loud, and how to use the cards to form sentences.

Step 3: Group Practice
After demonstrating the Montessori 3 Part Cards, let the children practice using them in a group setting. Provide a variety of cards and encourage the children to work together to match the cards correctly. Offer guidance and support as needed, but allow the children to work independently.

Step 4: Individual Practice
Once the children are comfortable with using the Montessori 3 Part Cards in a group setting, provide each child with their own set of cards. Allow them to work individually, and encourage them to read the words and definitions out loud as they match the cards. Offer additional guidance and support as needed.

Step 5: Extension Activities
To extend the learning opportunities with the Montessori 3 Part Cards, provide additional activities that build on the skills that the children are learning. For example, you could provide writing sheets where the children can practice writing the words and definitions. You could also ask them to use the cards to create their own sentences or stories. Encourage the children to be creative and have fun with the cards.

Information Picture Cards

Begin by introducing the concept of information cards and setting expectations for how they are to be used by the children. Explain that each card represents a different topic or object and that reading them will help them learn more about the world around them.
Choose a set of information cards that is appropriate for the age and interests of the children. Sorting cards by category or theme can help children make connections between the cards and expand their understanding of the topic.
Begin by presenting one card at a time, holding it up so that all children can see it. Read the concept on the card and encourage children to interpret the information with you. Point out any pictures or diagrams on the card and ask if anyone knows what they represent.
Invite children to come and examine the card more closely. Encourage them to ask questions and make observations about the information presented on the card. Ask open-ended questions to encourage critical thinking and create a dialogue between the children.
Repeat this process with each card in the set, keeping children engaged and interested by varying the pace and tone of your voice and by providing additional information or details as needed.
After all cards have been presented, invite children to explore them independently, either individually or in small groups. This allows them to use the information on the cards in a way that is meaningful to them and helps reinforce their understanding of the topic.

Sequencing picture puzzles are a wonderful tool to help preschoolers develop their sequencing and problem-solving skills. Here are some ways to use them in the preschool classroom:

Introduce the concept of sequencing: Start by explaining to the children what sequencing means. You can do this by using a simple example, such as putting on socks and shoes in the right order.
Choose appropriate puzzles: Select puzzles that are age-appropriate and have simple and clear images. You can find many free sequencing picture puzzles online or create your own by printing out pictures or drawing them by hand.
Demonstrate: Show the children how to complete a puzzle by laying out the pieces in the correct order. Explain how they can use the pictures on the puzzle pieces to help them solve the problem.
Let the children work independently: Allow the children to work on the puzzles on their own or in small groups. Encourage them to use their problem-solving skills and work together to figure out the correct order.
Discuss the solution: After the children have completed the puzzle, have a group discussion to talk about how they solved it and what they learned. This helps reinforce the concept of sequencing and encourages critical thinking.
Use different kinds of puzzles: Once the children are familiar with sequencing picture puzzles, you can introduce different kinds of puzzles such as number or letter sequencing puzzles.

By incorporating sequencing picture puzzles into your preschool curriculum, you can help your young learners develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and improve their sequencing abilities.