Children learn through play. When designing a group program for young children, it is best to make it playful to help them learn and to keep them interested. Varying the activity can help children learn the same material in different ways, as well as keeping the lesson fresh and fun.

Building Blocks
Provide a group of children with building blocks. Children will likely stay interested and have fun while using their imaginations, while also developing their fine motor skills. Incorporate lessons on group work with lessons on colors and numbers. For example, ask the children to work together to find all the blocks of one color, or to help each other count how many blocks are in each group.

Simon Says
Gross motor development is achieved when children master the larger muscles of their bodies. Examples of gross motor motions are walking, running and sitting up straight. Kindergarten-aged children will likely already be able to do all three, but you can still help them develop their gross motor skills. For example, in a game of Simon Says, ask them to stand on one foot to practice balance. Next, help them work on cross-body development by asking them to crawl. Alternate the directions of the game to test and practice various gross motor skills with your students.

Story Time
Gather the children around you and read a story. Keep their attention by using funny voices, word stress and intonation, or props such as puppets and dolls. Don't be afraid of reading the same story -- not only do children find it comforting to hear the same stories repeated, it helps them remember and recognize vocabulary.

Imaginative Play
Children don't need expensive toys to use their imaginations. Set up an area for the children to exercise imaginative play. Provide props such as old junk mail, dress up clothes, pretend food, play money and kitchenware. Children can spend a good deal of time inventing their own games. This helps them master social skills and recognize how to get along with others. Incorporate lessons on vocabulary, counting and colors into imaginative play. For example, ask the children to use a new word they have learned, or ask them to specify the quantity or color of an object.