You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
Donate
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

See this teacher's page

This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Finch from Washington, DC is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Finch is requesting

Play and Grow: Hands-On Fun for Preschoolers With Autism!

Help me give my students dolls, puzzles, manipulatives, and fine motor tools to strengthen their hands, build social-emotional skills, and learn through engaging hands-on play.

  • 1 donor
  • $350 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Finch for her next project!

Help Ms. Finch

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Finch for her next project!

My Project

I teach an amazing group of energetic and curious preschoolers with autism. Every day, they explore and learn through hands-on play, building essential skills that will set them up for success in school and life. However, many of my students struggle with fine motor skills and social-emotional development, making simple tasks—like holding a pencil, using scissors, or engaging in pretend play—more challenging.

Play is how young children learn best!

That’s why I’m requesting dolls, puzzles, manipulatives, and fine motor tools to support my students in a way that feels like fun but builds critical skills.

Dolls will help my students develop social-emotional skills, like expressing feelings, practicing empathy, and engaging in imaginative play.

Wooden puzzles, lacing beads, pop tubes, and playdough tools will strengthen their little hands, improving coordination, dexterity, and independence.

With these materials, my students will practice important skills like grasping, pinching, threading, problem-solving, and creative expression—all while having fun! These tools will not only make learning engaging but also boost their confidence and independence every single day.

Why This Matters

For young learners, fine motor and social-emotional skills are essential. Without them, everyday tasks—like holding a pencil, zipping a jacket, or interacting with peers—can feel overwhelming. Many of my students face these challenges, but with the right tools, they can build the strength, confidence, and social skills they need to thrive.

Ms. Finch J.O. Wilson Elementary School Grades PreK-2

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

At this school, more than 50% of students are Black, Latino, and/or Native American, and more than 50% come from low-income households. Learn how your donation to this school supports a more equitable education.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Ms. Finch

Washington, DC View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

HBCU Alum 10 students impacted 1donor

Boost your odds

Add a profile photo in addition to your classroom photo. If you add a photo, it'll show up right here on your project page.

You are more likely to receive funding if you put a face to your name.

Upload a photo

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Finch is requesting.

See our finances

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Skoolzy 7 Pcs 3D Shapes for Teaching and Math Manipulatives - Geometric Shapes and Geometric Solids, Math Teacher Supplies, Shapes for Math Manipulatives Kindergarten, 3D Shapes for Geometry Games • Amazon Business $16.75 3 $50.25
Lakeshore Peg Number Boards • Lakeshore Learning Materials $39.99 1 $39.99
Play-Doh Bulk Pack of 48 Cans, 6 Sets of 8 Modeling Compound Colors, 3oz, Back to School Gifts & Prizes for Students & Classroom, Preschool Toys for Kids, Ages 2+ (Amazon Exclusive) • Amazon Business $30.09 1 $30.09
Lakeshore Mold & Play Sensory Sand - Blue • Lakeshore Learning Materials $29.99 1 $29.99
Lakeshore Tweezer Tongs Color Sorting Kit • Lakeshore Learning Materials $24.99 1 $24.99
Kaplan Early Learning 11" Soft Body Multiethnic Baby Doll with Romper and Cap - Hispanic • Kaplan Early Learning Company $24.26 1 $24.26
Aizweb Color Shape Sorting Toy for Toddler 3 Year Old, Wooden Montessori Toy Shape Sorter Color Matching Box Game, Early Educational Learning Sensory Toy for Baby Boy Girl • Amazon Business $19.99 1 $19.99
Melissa And Doug Melissa & Doug Colorful See-Inside Alphabet Peg Puzzle - Wood - Preschool-Early Childhood - Toddler • School Specialty $13.12 1 $13.12
Dough Play Tools for Kids-Dough Accessories Molds Dinosaur Fruit Roller Cutter Scissor and Storage Box, Party Favors Set for Age 3+ • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99

Materials cost

$242.67

Vendor shipping charges

 $6.06

Sales tax

 $14.56

3rd party payment processing fee

$3.64

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$296.93

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$52.40

Total project goal

$349.33

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $349.33

1 Donor

-$349.33

Donations toward project cost

-$296.93

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$52.40

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

View complete list Show less

Give the most requested basic supplies

See teacher requests

Give back to your community

Find opportunities to impact local needs by exploring a map of classroom projects near you.

See local area

Project Activity

Project Activity
Back to top

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Finch and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"DC","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":1,"name":"Early Education"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/play-and-grow-hands-on-fun-for-preschoo/9104694/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":10,"teacherScreenName":"Ms. Finch","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"1251391843","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"schoolCity":"Washington","teachersOnPage":[6256090],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":9104694,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":true,"authorIds":{"6256090":{"owner":"Ms. Finch","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9104694],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6256090_orig.jpg?width=136&height=136&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1550620748300","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":17,"teacherChallengeId":21353736,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":6256090,"schoolCounty":"District Of Columbia","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":false,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"DC","name":"District of Columbia"}}