Traffic signs are one of the best ways to get my boys excited about learning. Color, shape, and letter recognition are all reinforced in these fun, easily executed activities from Mother Goose Time

Traffic Signs with Mother Goose Time

1. Traffic Light – Make and Play

My just turned three year old thinks that making a stop light that can be used for playing “red light, green light” might just be the best thing there is! His enthusiasm is contagious. We are getting a lot of mileage out of this make and play activity from Mother Goose Time!

Supplies

• paper plate*
• paper*
• circle stickers*
• black paint
• scissors
• glue

*These materials are provided by our Mother Goose Time preschool curriculum.

Discuss

• What colors do you see on a traffic light?
• What do you think red means? Green? Yellow?

Make

• Paint the paper plate black. Cut in half.
• Put the circle stickers onto the black paper, then attach the paper plate halves to the top and bottom.

Play

• Put masking tape paths on the floor.
• Invite children to hold their traffic lights and walk on the paths.
• When you shout “red light,” everyone stops. Shout “green light” for everyone to move again.

Observe

• Did the child control the movement of his body while playing stop and go?
• Did he identify the colors red, yellow, and green?

Our Experience – Making a Traffic Light

My youngest son was thrilled with this activity. He was able to make a prop that is usable in a game his older siblings love to play; red light, green light. He was so proud of his creation that he hung it up on his wall in his bedroom. I love the big circular stickers for each of the lights! I didn’t have to help him at all with this craft except at the very end when we were taping on the cut paper plate. He still is learning about tape!

2. Writing on Signs – Table Top Literacy

My kids all found this to be a wonderful way to get in some writing practice. My kindergartner down to my youngest preschooler have asked to do this activity again. I highly recommend this one!!

Supplies

• shape sheets*
• road sign poster*
• clear sheet protector
• dry-erase markers
• paper towel

Set Up

• Set out the sign poster for children to observe.

Independent Play

• Encourage children to select a shape sheet. Insert it into the sheet protector and encourage children to trace it with a dry erase marker.
• Use the sign poster to help copy words or symbols.
• Help the child write words or draw pictures inside the sign. Erase and draw a new sign.

Observe

• Did the child write intentional letters or symbols on the sign?
• Did he use the poster to copy the signs?

Our Experience Writing on Signs

All three of my kids old enough to use Mother Goose Time loved this activity. My kindergartner really enjoyed a chance to practice her writing in a creative way. My preschooler voluntarily made close to five signs. My toddler was all about naming the shapes and trying out the correct colors for different signs that he found on the road sign poster.

Here’s my kindergartner having fun with writing! 

She’s a Mother Goose Time preschool program graduate, but joins in for lots of activities and the More Math and More Literacy Program!

My preschooler creates individual letters well, but this activity did a great job of helping him practice words that he cared about and that had meaning! 

Note the spacing between the “L” and the “D.” This will be rectified in no time as he continues to practice. I love watching them learn through play!

My youngest Little Goose was thrilled to be included with his big brother and big sister. He did a great job of naming the shapes and matching colors to the street signs on the map. I’m happy to see him gaining fine motor skills and keeping the marker on the paper. When he’s ready, we’ll start working on proper pencil grip. They grow so fast!

Join Us

I hope you’ll enjoy learning about road signs with your kids!

If you are interested in reading more about our experience with Mother Goose Time, check out our curriculum page!

If you love finding new fun ideas for games and crafts for early childhood be sure to follow us on Instagram!

Happy Learning!

As a blog ambassador for Mother Goose Time, I am happy to share preschool curriculum ideas, activities, and crafts with my readers.  Mother Goose Time provides our family the opportunity to use their curriculum free of charge in exchange for honest and authentic stories based on our personal experience.