Before we know it, a whole new batch of little learners will be heading off to preschool and kindergarten! For many parents, this marks an exciting new chapter, but it can also raise questions like: “Is my child ready for school?”, “What do they need to know?”, and “How can I help them prepare?” The good news is that there are plenty of fun, simple ways to support your child’s growth in literacy, writing, math, and social skills. Check out the tips below for easy ways to help your child get a strong start!
Literacy: Building a Foundation for Reading
One of the best ways to set your child up for success is to encourage early literacy skills. And the best part? You can start with something as simple as reading together! Reading books exposes kids to important concepts like letter sounds, word formation, and storytelling. Here are some fun tips to make reading even more engaging:
- Highlight the Title: Start by showing your child the title of the book. Read it aloud and talk about the pictures and what the story might be about. This helps them start to understand the connection between words and meanings.
- Word Exploration: Pick out interesting words to explore. Many children’s books use bolded, colorful, or larger words like “BOOM” or “SPLASH.” These sound words are great for introducing phonics. You can even make a game out of it—who can say “BOOM” the loudest?
- Point to Words as You Read: Help your child follow along by pointing to the words as you read. This builds their understanding that words have meaning and flow from left to right.
Number Awareness: More Than Just Counting!
Preschoolers are ready to dive into the world of numbers! Number recognition, counting, and understanding that numbers represent actual quantities are key skills to develop. Here are a few interactive number activities you can do at home:
- Number Scavenger Hunt: Choose a number (e.g., 3) and hide that many pieces of paper with the number written on them around your house. Let your child go on a scavenger hunt to find all the numbers.
- Count Everyday Objects: Turn everyday activities into counting games. Ask your child to count things like the number of chairs at the table, windows, or toys in a box.
- Dice Game: Grab a dice, roll it, and have your child count the dots. Then, engage in a fun activity using that number—build a tower, jump that many times, or draw that many shapes!
Writing: Building Early Writing Skills
Writing is an important skill for both school and social success. While your preschooler may not yet be able to write full sentences, you can encourage early writing skills at home. Start with their name, as it’s both motivating and practical for school. Here are some fun writing activities:
- Tracing with Finger: Write your child’s name on a piece of paper and let them trace it with their finger. For extra fun, use cotton balls to create a textured surface for them to trace again!
- Play-Doh Letters: Use Play-Doh to form letters. Write a letter on a paper, then help your child mold Play-Doh on top of it. Practice one letter at a time, and work towards spelling their name.
- Whipped Cream Writing: Spread whipped cream on a baking sheet or pan and let your child write letters or their name by drawing in the cream with their finger. This tactile experience is both fun and educational—just make sure they don’t eat it all!
As you do these activities, talk about the sounds each letter makes. For example, “What sound does the letter ‘B’ make?” This helps strengthen their phonemic awareness.
Social Skills: Learning to Play and Share
Preschool is not just about academic skills—it’s also about learning how to get along with others. Cooperation, sharing, and problem-solving are all part of the social development process. Here are some simple ways to foster these skills at home:
- Play Games Together: Play a game where there can be a winner and a loser. Talk about how to be a good sport no matter the outcome. Teach phrases like “Good game!” and “Let’s play again!” This helps your child learn how to handle both winning and losing gracefully.
- Practice Sharing: Use your child’s toys to practice taking turns and sharing. Role-play different scenarios where they might want to share a toy or use a toy someone else is playing with. Talk about the words they can use to ask for a turn, like “Can I play with that when you’re done?” or “It’s my turn now!”
Every Child Develops at Their Own Pace— Let Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center Support Them
Remember, each child grows and develops at their own speed, and that’s perfectly okay! If you ever notice that your child is struggling with some of these skills or preschool doesn’t seem to be going smoothly, there’s no need to worry. At Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center, we offer FREE screenings for speech, language, writing, math, and dyslexia. Our experienced team is here to support your child every step of the way. We have offices in North Liberty and the Des Moines metro.
info@enrichmenttherapies.com
740 Community Drive, Unit A
North Liberty, IA 52317
319-626-2553
infodm@enrichmenttherapies.com
5530 West Pkwy, Suite 300
Johnston, IA 50131
515-419-4270
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