Preparing Your Preschooler for School: A Comprehensive Guide by Kimberly Thompson

Read Together Every Day

kimberlythompson7 — 2024-03-13 14:58:31 UTC

Reading daily to your child not only enhances their vocabulary but also stimulates their imagination. Select books that are age-appropriate and engage them with questions about the story.

Some of my favorite books (with links!):

Engage in Constructive Play

kimberlythompson7 — 2024-03-13 14:58:32 UTC

Encourage playing with blocks or puzzles. These activities help develop your child's fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities. Constructive play is a great way to engage in playing with your child. Let them lead the way and show you what they are interested in.

Ideas for Constructive Play:

Building blocks
Sand and tools
Cardboard box and crayons
Puzzles
Sticks and stones

Promote Outdoor Play

kimberlythompson7 — 2024-03-13 14:58:32 UTC

Regular outdoor play is crucial for physical development and encourages curiosity about the natural world. It also helps in developing social skills through interactions with peers.

Foster Early Math Skills

kimberlythompson7 — 2024-03-13 14:58:32 UTC

Introduce simple math concepts through everyday activities. For example, counting objects, recognizing shapes, and sizes. This makes learning math fun and practical.

Examples of Simple Math Activities:

String beads on pipe cleaners
Matching games
Tag the Number - write numbers 1-10 on cards; tape the cards somewhere that is eye-level with your child; call out a number; the first person to touch that number wins
Fill the Cup - gather blocks, plastic cups, and 1 dice; roll the dice and place that many plastic blocks in the cup; the first person to fill their cup wins
Hunt for Numbers - fill a bin with sand and bury cards with numbers 1-10 in the sand; the first person to find all the numbers wins

Start Alphabet and Phonics Early

kimberlythompson7 — 2024-03-13 14:58:33 UTC

Begin alphabet recognition and phonics basics early. Use flashcards, alphabet songs, and games to make learning engaging and interactive.

Phonics Activities to Try at Home:

Phonics Scavenger Hunt - print or make cards with a letter and a corresponding picture; place the letter and picture in different places; have your child collect and match all the letters and pictures
Foam Bathtub Letters - make up a song, rhyme, or simply let your child explore the letters while playing in water or the bathtub
Monster Names - replace the first letter of your child's name with the letter “M,” and add ‘mad’ to the beginning (for example, Ashely would become Mad Monster Mashlyn); do this with different letters
Flashcards
Start with their name - kids learn easiest when the learning applies directly to them; teach your child how to pronounce and spell the letters in their name

Encourage Healthy Eating Habits

kimberlythompson7 — 2024-03-13 14:58:33 UTC

Instill healthy eating habits by involving your child in choosing and preparing meals. Discuss the benefits of different foods, focusing on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Independent Exploration

kimberlythompson7 — 2024-03-13 15:05:14 UTC

Independent exploration and play gives your child the opportunity to explore the world, make connections, and problem solve, and foster self-confidence. It also helps promote autonomy, self-reliance, turn-taking, imagination and self-regulation. All of these skills help your child succeed in school.