1 I 1 I help preschoolers learn best by giving them many opportunities to move and many things to explore hands-on. I Always I Usually How Preschoolers Learn Best Preschoolers’ Fascination with the World When you get to work, do you hop out of the car, skip to the door, collect pebbles in the parking lot, and stop to look at all of the inter- esting things along the way, such as bugs and plants? Probably not. We adults are usually more interested in getting where we need to go and thinking about all the things we need to do. Besides, others would probably look at us with a little concern. Adults don’t usually skip. Maybe we should. Preschoolers are fascinated with the world, excited about using their bodies, and eager to learn more. If you want to teach preschoolers in a way they understand, you will need to see the world through their eyes—the eyes of a preschooler. Are you ready to learn? The Amazing Capabilities of Preschoolers Who are these wonderful little people you are educating and caring for? Working with preschoolers can be tiring at times but so reward- ing. Take a few lessons from the children when it comes to the appreciation and excitement with which they see the world. Here’s what most preschoolers are like: Preschoolers want to learn. Preschoolers continue the hunger I Sometimes I Never for learning that begins at birth. They learn best when they are able to touch things and do things. This is called hands-on learning. Imagine if you had a new computer or some other electronic gadget and you weren’t allowed to touch it until you knew how to use it. Even as adults, we learn by touching things too. We learn to use the computer by experimenting with it, to play the piano by practicing I 10