Helping Your Child Get Ready For School

with activities for children from birth through age 5
This is the question we parents are always trying to answer. It’s good that children ask questions: that’s the best way to learn. All children have two wonderful resources for learning--imagination and curiosity. As a parent, you can awaken your children to the joy of learning by encouraging their imagination and curiosity.
Helping Your Child Get Ready for School is one in a series of books on different education topics intended to help you make the most of your child’s natural curiosity. Teaching and learning are not mysteries that can only happen in school. They also happen when parents and children do simple things together.
For instance, you and your child can: sort the socks on laundry day--sorting is a major function in math and science; cook a meal together--cooking involves not only math and science but good health as well; tell and read each other stories--storytelling is the basis for reading and writing (and a story about the past is also history); or play a game of hopscotch together--playing physical games will help your child learn to count and start on a road to lifelong fitness.
By doing things together, you will show that learning is fun and important. You will be encouraging your child to study, learn, and stay in school.
All of the books in this series tie in with the National Education Goals set by the President and the Governors. The goals state that, by the year 2000: every child will start school ready to learn; at least 90 percent of all students will graduate from high school; each American student will leave the 4th, 8th, and 12th grades demonstrating competence in core subjects; U.S. students will be first in the world in math and science achievement; every American adult will be literate, will have the skills necessary to compete in a global economy, and will be able to exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; and American schools will be liberated from drugs and violence so they can focus on learning.
This book is a way for you to help meet these goals. It will give you a short rundown on facts, but the biggest part of the book is made up of simple, fun activities for you and your child to do together. Your child may even beg you to do them.
As U.S. Education Secretary Lamar Alexander has said:
The first teachers are the parents, both by example and conversation. But don’t think of it as teaching. Think of it as fun.
So, let’s get started. I invite you to find an activity in this book and try it.
Diane Ravitch Assistant Secretary and Counselor to the Secretary
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Learning Begins Early
It Mean To Be Ready for School?
Activities
Birth to 1 Year Developing Trust Touch and See! 1 to 2 Years Shop till You Drop Puppet Magic Moving On 2 to 3 Years Read to Me! Music Makers Play Dough 3 to 4 Years Kitchen Cut-Ups Scribble, Paint, and Paste Chores 4 to 5 Years 'Hands-on' Math Getting Along My Book
What About Kindergarten?
Appendices
Good Television Habits Choosing Child Care Ready-for-School Checklist Notes
Acknowledgments
This book has been made possible with help from the following people who reviewed early drafts or provided information and guidance: Teresa Grish, a Vienna, Virginia, homemaker; Sharon Lynn Kagan, Yale University’s Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy; Evelyn Moore, National Black Child Development Institute, Inc.; Cynthia Newson, Women’s Educational Equity Act Publishing Center; Douglas Powell, Purdue University; Heather Weiss, Harvard Family Research Project; Barbara Wilier, National Association for the Education of Young Children; E. Dollie Wolverton, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Lisa Hoffman and Johna Pierce, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Carolyn Pinney, a Minneapolis, Minnesota, preschool teacher; Marilynn Taylor, a St. Paul, Minnesota, freelance writer and editor; and many individuals within the U.S. Department of Education.
Special thanks to Leo and Diane Dillon for their advice on how to work with illustrators.
Nancy Paulu has been a writer and editor for the U.S. Department of Education since 1986 and is the author of several books on education reform for the Department. Previously, she was an assistant editor of the Harvard Education Letter and a newspaper reporter in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Quincy, Massachusetts. She has also been a commentator and interviewer on public television. She received her bachelor’s degree from Lawrence University and a master’s degree in education from Harvard as a Bush Leadership Fellow. She lives with her husband and young daughter in Washington, DC.
Annie Lunsford has been a freelance illustrator since 1975. Her works include a Children’s Hospital calendar, a book for Ronald McDonald House, slide shows for the National Institutes of Health, and a Christmas card for Ringling Brothers. Her work has been recognized by The Advertising Club of New York, the Society of Illustrators, and The Printing Industry of America. Lunsford lives and works in Arlington, Virginia.
Learning Begins Early
The road to success in school begins early. Good health, loving relationships, and opportunities to learn all help preschool children do well later in life. But many parents wonder, 'How can I give these things to my child?'
This book is for all of you who have asked this question. It’s for parents, grandparents, and others who want to know what to do to help young children get ready for school. Throughout the preschool years, you can do many simple things to help your child grow, develop, and have fun learning. This book:
* Describes the qualities and skills that youngsters need to get a good start in kindergarten;
* Tells what to expect from preschoolers each year from birth to age 5;
* Suggests easy activities that help children grow and develop; and
* Explains how to encourage enthusiasm toward school and teachers and make it easier for children to adjust to kindergarten.
Special sections in the back of the book tell how to monitor television viewing and find good programs; and explain how to find suitable child care.
Parents and caregivers are busy people. Most of us have many responsibilities: jobs outside the home, laundry to wash, and groceries to buy. When we are tired and under stress, it’s often hard to feel we are being the best parents.
But however busy we may be, there are lots of things we can do to help our children get ready for school--little things that make a big difference. Many of them cost little or nothing and can be done as you go about your daily routines.
Mothers and fathers aren’t the only people who help children get ready for school. Entire communities share this job. Businesses, schools, government agencies, and religious and civic organizations help out. So do day care providers, doctors and other health professionals, elected officials, relatives, and neighbors. But no one is more important than parents, because life’s most basic lessons are learned early and at home. The first 5 years are when the groundwork for future development is laid.
What Does It Mean To Be Ready for School?
There is no one quality or skill that children need to do well in school, but a combination of things contributes to success. These include good health and physical wellbeing, social and emotional maturity, language skills, an ability to solve problems and think creatively, and general knowledge about the world.
As you go about helping your child develop in each of these areas, remember
* Children develop at different rates, and
* Most children are stronger in some areas than in others.
Remember, too, that being ready for school depends partly on what the school expects. One school may think it’s very important for children to sit quietly and know the alphabet. Another may believe it’s more important for children to get along well with others.
Children who match the school’s expectations may be considered better prepared. You may want to visit your child’s school to learn what the principal and teachers expect and discuss any areas of disagreement.
While schools may have different priorities, most educators agree that the following areas are important for success.
Good Health and Physical Well-Being
Young children need nutritious food, enough sleep, safe places to play, and regular medical care. These things help children get a good start in life and lessen the chances that they will later have serious health problems or trouble learning.
Good health for children begins before birth with good prenatal care. Visit a doctor or medical clinic throughout your pregnancy. In addition, eat nourishing foods, avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful drugs, and get plenty of rest.
Pregnant women who don’t take good care of themselves increase their chances of giving birth to children who
* Are low in birth weight, making them more likely to have lifelong health and learning problems;
* Develop asthma;
* Are mentally retarded;
* Develop speech and language problems;
* Have short attention spans; or
* Become hyperactive.
If your child already has some of these problems, it is a good idea to consult your doctor, your school district, or community agencies as soon as possible. Many communities have free or inexpensive services to help you and your child.
Good health for children continues after birth with a balanced diet. School-aged children can concentrate better in class if they eat nutritionally balanced meals. These should include breads, cereals, and other grain products; fruits; vegetables; meat, poultry, fish and alternatives (such as eggs and dried beans and peas); and milk, cheese, and yogurt. Avoid too many fats and sweets.
Children aged 2-5 generally can eat the same foods as adults but in smaller portions. Your child’s doctor or clinic can provide advice on feeding babies and toddlers under the age of 2.
Federal, state, and local aid is available for parents who need food in order to make sure their children get a balanced diet. The federal nutrition program, called the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), distributes food to more than 5.4 million low-income women and their children through about 8,200 service centers across the country. Food stamps also are available for many families with children. For information and to find out if you are eligible, contact your local or state health department.
Preschoolers require regular medical and dental checkups and immunizations. It’s important to find a doctor or a clinic where children can receive routine health care as well as special treatment if they are sick or injured.
Children need immunizations beginning around the age of 2 months to prevent nine diseases: measles, mumps, German measles (rubella), diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), polio, and tuberculosis. These diseases can have serious effects on physical and mental development. Regular dental checkups should begin at the latest by the age of 3.
Preschoolers need opportunities to exercise and develop physical coordination. To learn to control large muscles, children need to throw balls, run, jump, climb, and dance to music. To learn to control small muscles, particularly in the hands and fingers, they need to color with crayons, put together puzzles, use blunt-tipped scissors, and zip jackets. In kindergarten, they will build upon these skills.
Parents of youngsters with disabilities should see a doctor as soon as a problem is suspected. Early intervention can help these children develop to their full potential.
Social and Emotional Preparation
Young children are often very excited about entering school. But when they do, they can face an environment that’s different from what they are used to at home or even in preschool. In kindergarten, they will need to work well in large groups and get along with new adults and other children. They will have to share the teacher’s attention with other youngsters. The classroom routines may also be different.
Most 5-year-olds do not start school with good social skills or much emotional maturity. These take time and practice to learn. However, children improve their chances for success in kindergarten if they have had opportunities to begin developing these qualities:
Confidence. Children must learn to feel good about themselves and believe they can succeed. Confident children are more willing to attempt new tasks--and try again if they don’t succeed the first time.
Independence. Children need to learn to do things for themselves.
Motivation. Children must want to learn.
Curiosity. Children are naturally curious and must remain so in order to get the most out of learning opportunities.
Persistence. Children must learn to finish what they start.
Cooperation. Children must be able to get along with others and learn to share and take turns.
Self-control. Preschoolers must understand that some behaviors, such as hitting and biting, are inappropriate. They need to learn that there are good and bad ways to express anger.
Empathy. Children must learn to have an interest in others and understand how others feel.
Parents, even more than child care centers and good schools, help children develop these skills. Here are some ways you can help your child acquire these positive qualities:
Youngsters must believe that, no matter what, someone will look out for them. Show that you care about your children. They thrive when they have parents or other caregivers who are loving and dependable. Small children need attention, encouragement, hugs, and plenty of lap time. Children who feel loved are more likely to be confident.
Set a good example. Children imitate what they see others do and what they hear others say. When parents exercise and eat nourishing food, children are more likely to do so. When parents treat others with respect, their children probably will, too. If parents share things, their children will learn to be thoughtful of others’ feelings.
Have a positive attitude toward learning and toward school. Children come into this world with a powerful need to discover and to explore. Parents need to encourage this curiosity if children are to keep it. Enthusiasm for what children do ('You’ve drawn a great picture!') helps to make them proud of their achievements.
Children also become excited about school when their parents show excitement. As your child approaches kindergarten, talk to him about school. Talk about the exciting activities in kindergarten, such as going on field trips and making fun art projects. Be enthusiastic as you describe what he will learn in school--how to read and measure and weigh things, for example.
Provide opportunities for repetition. It takes practice to crawl, pronounce new words, or drink from a cup. Children don’t get bored when they repeat things. Instead, repeating things until they are learned helps youngsters build the confidence needed to try something new.
Use appropriate discipline. All children need to have limits set for them. Children whose parents give firm but loving discipline are generally more skilled socially and do better in school than children whose parents set too few or too many limits. Here are some tips.
* Direct children’s activities, but don’t make unnecessary restrictions or try to dominate.
* Offer reasons when asking your child to do something (For example, say, 'Please move the toy truck off the stairs so no one falls over it'--not, 'Do it because I said so.').
* Listen to your children to find out how they feel and whether they need any special support.
* Show love and respect when you are angry. Criticize a child’s behavior but not the child (For example, say, 'I love you, but it is not okay for you to draw pictures on the walls. I get angry when you do that.').
* Help your children make choices and work out problems (You might ask your 4-year-old, 'What can we do to keep Kevin from knocking over your blocks?').
* Be positive and encouraging. Praise your child for a job well done. Smiles and encouragement go much further to shape good behavior than harsh punishment.
Let children do many things by themselves. Young children need to be closely watched. But they learn to be independent and to develop confidence by doing tasks such as dressing themselves and putting their toys away. It’s also important to let them make choices, rather than deciding everything for them. Remember to give them a choice only when there really is one.
Encourage your children to play with other children and be with adults who are not family members. Preschoolers need these social opportunities to learn to see the point of view of others. Young children are more likely to get along with teachers and classmates if they already have had experiences with different adults and children.
Language and General Knowledge
Kindergarteners participate in many activities that require them to use language and to solve problems. Children who can’t or don’t communicate easily may have problems in school. There are many things you can do to help children learn to communicate, solve problems, and develop an understanding of the world. You can
Give your child opportunities to play. Play is how children learn. It is the natural way for them to explore, to become creative, and to develop academic and social skills. Play helps them learn to solve problems--for example, a wagon tips over, and children must figure out how to get it upright again. Children learn about geometry, shapes, and balance when they stack up blocks. Playing with others helps children learn how to negotiate.
Talk to your children, beginning at birth. Babies need to hear your voice. A television or the radio can’t take the place of your voice because it doesn’t respond to coos and babbles. The more you talk to your baby, the more he will have to talk about as he gets older. Talking with children broadens their understanding of language and of the world.
Everyday activities, such as eating dinner or taking a bath, provide opportunities to talk, sometimes in detail, about what’s happening and respond to your child. 'First let’s stick the plug in the drain. Now we’ll turn on the water. I see you want to put your rubber duck in the bathtub. That’s a good idea. Look, it’s yellow, just like the rubber duck on ’Sesame Street.’'
Listen to your children. Children have their own special thoughts and feelings, joys and sorrows, hopes and fears. As their language skills develop, encourage them to talk. Listening is the best way to learn what’s on their minds and to discover what they know and don’t know, and how they think and learn. It also shows children that their feelings and ideas are valuable.
Answer questions and ask questions, particularly ones that require more than a 'yes' or 'no' response. While walking in a park, for example, most 2- and 3-year-olds will stop to pick up leaves. You might point out how the leaves are the same, and how they are different. With older children you might ask, 'What else grows on trees?'
Questions can help children learn to compare and classify things. Answer your children’s questions thoughtfully and, whenever possible, encourage them to answer their own questions. If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so. Then together with your child try to find the answer.
Read aloud to your children every day. Reading can begin with babies and continue throughout the preschool years. Even though they don’t understand the story or the poem, reading together gives children a chance to learn about language, enjoy the sound of your voice, and be close to you. You don’t have to be an excellent reader for your child to enjoy this time together. You may also want to take your child to a local library that offers special story hours.
Make reading materials available. Children develop an interest in language and in reading much sooner if they have books and other reading materials around their homes.
Monitor television viewing. Next to parents, television may be our children’s most influential teacher. Good television can introduce children to new worlds and promote learning, but poor or too much TV can be harmful.
Be realistic about your children’s abilities and interests. Children usually do best in school when parents estimate their abilities correctly. Parents must set high standards and encourage their preschoolers to try new things. Children who aren’t challenged become bored. But ones who are pushed along too quickly, or are asked to do things that don’t interest them, can become frustrated and unhappy.
Try to keep your children from being labeled. Labels such as 'dumb' or 'stupid' have a powerful effect on a child’s confidence and school performance. Remember to praise your child for a job well done.
Provide opportunities to do and see things. The more varied the experiences that children have, the more they learn about the world. No matter where you live, your community can provide new experiences. Go for walks in your neighborhood, or go places on the bus. Visit museums, libraries, zoos, and other community resources.
If you live in the city, spend a day in the country (or if you live in the country, spend a day in the city). Let your children hear and make music, dance, and paint. Let them participate in activities that help to develop their imaginations and let them express their ideas and feelings. The following activities can provide your children with these opportunities.
Activities
The activities in this section are simple and are designed to prepare children for school. Most of them grow out of the routine things parents do everyday.
Each section is organized by ages. An age grouping begins with 'What to expect'--a list of qualities and behaviors typical of these children. This is followed by 'What they need'--a list of things that help these children grow and learn. In a box near the end of each activity are explanations for those who want them. As you go through this section, it is good to remember these points:
Children learn at their own pace. Most move through similar developmental stages, but they have their own timetables. Therefore, the 'What to expect' and the 'What they need' sections, as well as the ages suggested for the activities, will vary from child to child. An activity listed for a youngster between the ages of 2 and 3 may be fine for one who is younger. Or it may not interest another until he has passed his third birthday.
Some of these activities, while listed under a particular age, are important for all young children. Reading and listening to music, for example, can benefit children from the time they are born. By modifying an activity, you can enable your child to continue to enjoy it as he grows and develops.
The symbols next to the activities can guide you.
for an infant (birth to 1)
for a toddler (ages 2 to 3)
for a preschooler (ages 4 to 5).
Find activities that interest your child. If the one you picked out is too hard, your child may get discouraged. If it’s too easy, he may get bored. Or if your child seems uninterested, try another time. Often children’s interests change as they grow and develop. Try to give toddlers and older children a choice of activities so they learn to think for themselves.
The activities are meant to be fun. Be enthusiastic and avoid lecturing to preschoolers on what they are learning. If your child enjoys the activity, his excitement for learning will increase.
Finally, be sure to make safety a top priority. With that caution in mind, flip through the following pages and find some activities that you and your child can enjoy together.
Birth to 1 Year
What to expect
Babies grow and change dramatically during their first year. They begin to
* Develop some control over their bodies. They learn to hold up their heads; roll over; sit up; crawl; stand up; and, in some cases, walk.
* Become aware of themselves as separate from others. They learn to look at their hands and toes and play with them. They learn to cry when parents leave, and they recognize their name.
* Communicate and develop language skills. First babies cry and make throaty noises. Later they babble and say mama and dada. Then they make lots of sounds and begin to name a few close people and objects.
* Play games. First they play with their hands. Later they show an interest in toys, enjoy 'putting in and taking out' games, and eventually carry around or hug dolls or stuffed toys.
* Relate to others. First they respond to adults more than to other babies. Later they notice other babies but tend to treat them like objects instead of people. Then they pay attention when other babies cry.
What they need
Babies require
* A loving caregiver who can respond to their cries and gurgles;
* Someone who gets to know their special qualities;
* Someone to keep them safe and comfortable;
* Opportunities to move about and practice new physical skills;
* Safe objects to look at, bat, grab, bang, pat, roll, and examine;
* Safe play areas; and
* Opportunities to hear language and to make sounds.
Developing Trust
Newborn babies need to become attached to at least one person who provides security and love. This first and most basic emotional attachment is the start for all human relationships.
What you’ll need
Loving arms Music
What to do
1. Include happy rituals in your baby’s schedule. For example, at bedtime, sing the same song every night, rock her, or rub her tummy.
2. Pick up your crying baby promptly. Try to find out what’s wrong. Is she hungry?. Wet? Bored? Too hot? Crying is your baby’s way of communicating. By comforting her you send the message that language has a purpose and that someone wants to understand.
3. Gently move your newborn’s arms and legs. Or tickle her lightly under the chin or on the tummy. When she starts to control her head, lie on the floor and put her on your chest. Let her reach for your nose or grab your hair. Talk to her and name each thing she touches.
4. Sing and cuddle with your baby. Hold her snuggled in your arms or lying face up on your lap with her head on your knees. Make sure the head of a newborn is well-supported. Sing a favorite lullaby.
To entertain your baby, sing an active song. For example:
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands! If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands! If you’re happy and you know it, and you want the world to know it, If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!
If you don’t know lullabies or rhymes for babies, make up your own!
5. Dance with your baby. To soothe her when she’s upset, put her head on your shoulder and hum softly or listen to recorded music as you glide around the room. To amuse her when she’s cheerful, try a bouncy tune.
Feeling your touch, hearing your voice, and enjoying the comfort of physical closeness all help a baby to develop trust.
Touch and See!
Babies are hard at work whenever they are awake, trying to learn all about the world. To help them learn, they need many different safe things to play with and inspect. Objects you have around your home offer many possibilities.
What you’ll need
A splinter-free wooden spoon with a face drawn on the bowl Different textured fabrics, such as velvet, cotton, corduroy, terry cloth, satin, burlap, and fake fur An empty toilet paper or paper towel roll Pots, pans, and lids An old purse or basket with things to put in and take out Measuring cups and spoons Boxes and plastic containers Large spools Noisemakers (rattles, keys, a can filled with beans)
What to do
1. Put one or two of the items to the left in a safe play area where your baby can reach them (more than two may confuse him).
2. Let your baby look at, touch, and listen to a variety of objects. Ones that are brightly colored, have interesting textures, and make noises are particularly good. Be sure that any item you give your baby will be safe in his mouth, since that’s where it probably will end up.
3. Use these items for all age groups. Many of them will continue to interest toddlers and older preschoolers. For example, babies love to inspect a paper towel roll. But with a 4-year-old, it can become a megaphone for talking or singing, a telescope, or a tunnel for a toy car.
Babies begin to understand how the world works when they see, touch, hold, and shake things. Inspecting things also helps them coordinate and strengthen their hand muscles.
1 to 2 Years
What to expect
Children this age are
* Energetic (walk more steadily, run, push, pull, take apart, carry, and climb on and grab things);
* Self-centered; and
* Busy (like to flip light switches, pour things in and out of containers, unwrap packages, and empty drawers).
Between their first and second birthdays, they
* Like to imitate the sounds and actions of others (by pretending to do housework or yardwork, for example);
* Want to be independent and do it themselves (and express this by saying 'No!');
* Can be clingy;
* Can have relatively short attention spans if not involved in an activity;
* Add variations to theft physical skills (by walking backwards or sideways, for example);
* Begin to see how they are like and unlike other children;
* Become more sensitive to the moods of others;
* Play alone or alongside other toddlers; and
* Increase their vocabularies from about 2 or 3 words to about 250 words and understand more of what people say to them.
What they need
Children this age require
* A safe environment for exploring;
* Opportunities to make their own choices ('Do you want the red cup or the blue one?');
* Clear and reasonable limits;
* Opportunities to use big muscles (in the arms and legs, for example);
* Opportunities to manipulate small objects, such as puzzles and stackable toys;
* Activities that allow them to touch, taste, smell, hear, and see new things;
* Chances to learn about 'cause and effect'--that things they do produce certain results (when a stack of blocks gets too high it will fall over);
* Opportunities to develop and practice their language skills; and
* Chances to learn about kindness and caring.
Shop till You Drop
Shopping is just one of many routines that can help your child learn. lt’s especially good for teaching new words and introducing preschoolers to new people and places.
What you’ll need
A short shopping list
Shopping is one of many ways to surround children with meaningful talk. They need to hear a lot of words in order to learn to communicate themselves. It’s particularly helpful when you talk about the 'here and now'--things that are going on in front of your child.
What to do
1. Pick a time when neither you nor your child is hungry or tired.
2. At the grocery store, put your child in the grocery cart so that he faces you. Take your time as you walk up and down the aisles.
3. Talk about what you are seeing and doing: 'First, we’re going to buy some cereal. See, it’s in a big red and blue box. Listen to the great noise it makes when I shake the box. Can you shake the box? Now we’re going to pay for the groceries. We’ll put them on the counter while I get out the money. The cashier will tell us how much we have to pay.'
4. Let your child feel the items you buy--a cold carton of milk, for example, or the skin of an orange. Talk to your child about the items. 'The skin of the orange is rough and bumpy. Can Rochelle feel the skin?'
5. Be sure to name objects you see on a shopping trip.
6. Let your child touch a soft sweater or try on a hat or a mitten. Find a mirror so he can see himself. Talk as you go. 'Feel how soft the sweater is. Who’s that in the mirror? Is that Andre?'
7. Let your child practice his 'hi’s' and 'bye-byes' on clerks and other shoppers on your outings.
8. Keep talking, keep moving, and let your child 'help.' 'In this store we need to buy some buttons. You can hold the cloth next to the buttons so I can find the right color.' Putting your toddler’s hands in the right position can help him learn to understand your directions.
9. Leave for home before your child gets grumpy.
Puppet Magic
Puppets can be fascinating. Children know that puppets are not alive. And yet, they move and talk like real living things. Try making one at home.
What you’ll need
An old clean sock Buttons (larger than 1 inch in diameter to prevent swallowing) Needle and thread Red fabric Ribbon An old glove Felt-tipped pens Nontoxic glue Yarn
What to do
1. Sock puppet. Use an old clean sock. Sew on buttons for eyes and nose. Paste or sew on a piece of red fabric for the mouth. Put a bow made from ribbon at the neck.
2. Finger puppets. Cut the ends off the fingers of an old glove. Draw faces on the fingers with felttipped pens. Glue yarn on for hair.
3. Have the puppet talk to your child. 'Hello. My name is Tanya. What a great T-shirt you have on! I like the rabbit on the front of your T-shirt.' Or have the puppet sing a simple song. Change your voice when the puppet talks or sings.
4. Encourage your child to speak to the puppet.
5. Put finger puppets on your child to give him practice moving his fingers one at a time.
6. The next time you want help cleaning up, have the puppet make the request: 'Hello, Maria. Let’s put these crayons back in the box and these toys back on the shelves. Can you get me the ball?'
Puppets provide another opportunity to talk to children and encourage them to speak. They also help children learn new words, use their imaginations, and develop their hand and finger coordination. Children will make many mistakes when they learn to talk. Instead of correcting them directly, reply by using the right grammar. For example, if your child says, 'Michael done it,' reply, 'Yes, David, Michael did it.' Speak slowly and clearly so that your child can imitate your speech. Use full, but short sentences, and avoid baby talk.
Moving On
Toddlers love to explore spaces and climb over, through, and into things.
What you’ll need
Stuffed animal or toy Large cardboard boxes Pillows A large sheet A soft ball A large plastic laundry basket Elastic Bells
What to do
1. Pillow jump. Give your toddler some pillows to jump into. Toddlers usually figure out how to do this one on their own!
2. Box car. Give your toddler a large box to push around the room. He may want to take his stuffed animal or toy for a ride in it. If the box isn’t too high--you’ll most likely find your toddler in there, too!
3. Basketball. Sit about 3 feet away from your toddler and hold out a large plastic laundry basket. Let him try throwing a ball into the basket.
4. Table tent. Cover a table with a sheet that’s big enough to reach the ground on all sides. This makes a great playhouse that’s particularly good for a rainy day. Watch out for bumped heads!
5. Jingle bells. Sew bells onto elastic that will fit comfortably around your child’s ankles. Then watch (and listen to) the fun while he moves about or jumps up and down.
These skills help children gain control over their large muscles. They also help children learn important concepts such as up, down, inside, outside, over, and under.
2 to 3 Years
What to expect
Children this age are
* Becoming more aware of others and their own feelings;
* Often stubborn and may have temper tantrums;
* Developing a great interest in other children and enjoy being near them (although they are usually selfcentered);
* Able to jump, hop, roll, and climb;
* Developing an interest in pretend play--playing at keeping house, for example, or pretending to cook and care for a baby;
* Expanding their vocabularies (from about 250 to 1,000 words during the year); and
* Putting together 2, 3, and 4-word sentences.
What they need
Children this age require opportunities to
* Develop hand coordination (with puzzles or large beads to string or by scribbling, for example);
* Do more things for themselves, such as putting on clothing;
* Sing, talk, and develop their language;
* Play with other children;
* Try out different ways to move their bodies; and
* Do things in the community, such as taking walks and visiting libraries, museums, informal restaurants, parks, beaches, and zoos.
Read to Me!
The single most important way for children to develop the knowledge they need to succeed in reading is for you to read aloud to them--beginning early.
What you’ll need
Good books A children’s dictionary (preferably a sturdy one) Paper, pencils, crayons, markers
What to do
1. Read aloud to your child every day. From birth to 6 months your baby probably won’t understand what you’re reading, but that’s okay. You can get her used to the sound of your voice and used to seeing and touching books.
2. To start out, use board books with no words or just a few words. Point to the colors and the pictures and say their names. Simple books can teach children things that will later help them learn to read. For example, they learn about the structure of language--that there are spaces between the words and that the print goes from left to right.
3. Tell stories. Encourage your child to ask questions and talk about the story. Ask her to predict what will come next. Point to things in books that she can relate to in her own life: 'Look at the picture of the penguin. Do you remember the penguin we saw at the zoo?'
4. Look for reading programs. If you aren’t a good reader, programs in your community like Even Start can provide opportunities for you to improve your own reading and to read with your child. Friends and relatives can also read to your child, and senior citizen volunteers are available in many communities to do the same.
5. Buy a children’s dictionary--if possible, one that has pictures next to the words. Then start the 'let’s look it up' habit.
6. Make writing materials available.
7. Watch educational TV. Programs such as 'Sesame Street' and 'Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood' help your child learn the alphabet and the sounds they represent.
8. Visit the library often. Begin making weekly trips to the library when your child is very young. See that your child gets a library card as soon as possible. Many libraries issue cards to children as soon as they can print their names (you’ll have to countersign for them).
9. Read yourself. What you do sets an example for your child.
The ability to read and understand makes for better students and leads to better job opportunities and a lifetime of enjoyment.
Music Makers
Music is a way to communicate that all children understand. It’s not necessary for them to follow the words to a song. It makes them happy just to hear the comfort in your voice or on the recording or to dance to a peppy tune.
What you’ll need
Your voice Music Music makers (rattles, a can filled with beans or buttons, empty toilet paper rolls, pots, pans, plastic bowls)
What to do
1. Sing a lullaby to a cranky infant.
2. As children approach their first birthdays, they begin to like making music themselves. Have them try banging a wooden spoon on pots, pans, or plastic bowls; shaking a large rattle or shaking a plastic container filled with beans, buttons, or other noisy items (make sure the container is securely closed); and blowing through empty toilet paper rolls.
3. As toddlers pass their first birthdays, they can actively participate in nursery rhymes, even if they can’t recite the words. They can imitate hand movements, clap, or hum along.
4. As preschoolers become more physically coordinated, encourage them to move to the music. They can twirl, spin, jump up and down, tiptoe, or sway.
5. Here are some tips for getting young children to sing:
* Sing yourself. Sing fairly slowly so children join in and enjoy themselves. Discourage shouting.
* Start with simple chanting. Pick a simple melody, such as 'Mary Had a Little Lamb,' and sing 'la, la, la.' Add the words later.
Introduce music to your children early. Listening to you sing will help them learn to make their voices go up and down--even if you can’t carry a tune! Music and dance teach preschoolers to listen, to coordinate hand and finger movements, and to express themselves creatively.
Play Dough
Young children love to play with dough. And no wonder! They can squish and pound it and form it into fascinating shapes. Here’s a recipe to make at home.
What you’ll need
2 cups flour 1 cup salt 4 teaspoons cream of tartar 2 cups water 2 tablespoons cooking oil Food coloring Food extracts (almond, vanilla, lemon, or peppermint) 1 medium saucepan Things to stick in the dough (popsicle sticks, straws) Things to pound with (like a toy mallet) Things to make impressions with (jar lids, cookie cutters, or bottle caps)
What to do
1. Add the food coloring to the water. Then mix all of the ingredients together in a pan.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring until it forms a soft ball.
3. Let the mixture cool. Knead slightly. Add food extracts to different chunks of the dough if you want different smells.
4. Give some to your toddler or preschooler, so he can pound it, stick things in it, make impressions in it, and create all kinds of things.
Play dough is a great way to develop hand muscles and be creative. And cooking together, with all the measuring, is the perfect way to begin learning mathematics. Letting your child handle some dough while it is still slightly warm and some when it has cooled off is a terrific way to teach him about temperatures. Play dough can be made ahead of time and stored in an air-tight bag or container.
3 to 4 Years
What to expect
Children this age
* Start to play with other children, instead of next to them;
* Are more likely to take turns and share;
* Are friendly and giving;
* Begin to understand that other people have feelings an d rights;
* Like silly humor, riddles, and practical jokes;
* Like to please and to conform;
* Generally become more cooperative and enjoy new experiences;
* Are increasingly self-reliant and probably can dress without help (except for buttons and shoelaces);
* May develop fears ('Mommy, there’s a monster under my bed.') and have imaginary companions,
* Are more graceful physically than 2-year-olds and love to run, skip, jump with both feet, catch a ball, climb downstairs, and dance to music;
* Are great talkers, speak in sentences, and continue to add more words to their vocabularies; and
* Have greater control over hand and arm muscles, which is reflected in their drawings and scribblings.
What they need
Children this age require opportunities to
* Develop their blooming language abilities through books, games, songs, science, and art activities;
* Develop more self-help skills--for example, to dress and undress themselves;
* Draw with crayons, work puzzles, build things, and pretend;
* Play with other children so they can learn to listen, take turns, and share; and
* Develop more physical coordination--for example, by hopping on both feet.
Kitchen Cut-Ups
Here are some recipes popular with preschoolers. Things always seem to taste better when you make them yourself!
What you’ll need
Knife For applewiches: 1 apple, cheese slices For funny-face sandwich: 1 piece of bread; peanut butter, cream cheese, or egg salad; green pepper, celery, radishes, carrot curls; olives; nuts; hard-boiled egg slices; tiny shapes of cheese; apples and raisins For fruit Popsicles: fruit juice (any kind), an ice cube tray or small paper cups, yogurt, mashed or crushed fruit, Popsicle sticks For bumps on a log: celery, peanut butter, raisins
What to do
1. Choose a safe spot to cook where you won’t have to worry about making a mess.
2. Tell your child what the ingredients are. Talk about what you are doing as you go along. Ask and answer questions.
3. Let him smell, taste, and touch as you go. Let him (with your help) pour, stir, measure, and help clean up.
4. Applewiches. Core an apple. Cut the apple crosswise into thick slices. Put cheese slices between the slices. Cheddar cheese is particularly good. Eat like a sandwich.
5. Funny-face sandwich. Cut the bread into a circle. Spread with cream cheese, peanut butter, or egg salad. Decorate using green pepper, celery, radishes, carrot curls, olives, nuts, hard-boiled egg slices, tiny shapes of cheese, apples, or raisins for eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
6. Fruit Popsicles. Pour the fruit juice into small paper cups or an ice cube tray. Place a Popsicle stick in each cup or compartment before the juice is completely frozen. Return to the freezer until frozen solid. For variations, mix yogurt with the juice before freezing for a creamier Popsicle, or add mashed or crushed fruit such as strawberries, pineapple, or banana.
7. Bumps on a log. Spread peanut butter on the celery stalks. Decorate with raisins. Great snacks!
Cooking helps children learn new words, measuring and number skills, what foods are healthy and what ones aren’t, and the importance of completing what they begin. It also teaches about how things change, and it can teach children to reason better. ('If I want a cold fruit juice Popsicle, then I’ll have to put it in the freezer.')
Scribble, Paint, and Paste
Young children are natural artists. Here are some activities that introduce preschoolers to scribbling, painting, and pasting.
What you’ll need
For scribbling: crayons, water-soluble felt-tipped markers, different kinds of paper (including construction paper, butcher paper), and tape
For fingerpainting: storebought fingerpaint or homemade fingerpaint made with soap flakes, water, food coloring or powdered tempera; an eggbeater or fork; a bowl; a spoon; an apron or smock; newspapers or a large piece of plastic to cover the floor or table; butcher paper; and tape
For collages: paper, paste, blunt-tipped scissors, fabric scraps or objects that can be glued to paper (string, cottonballs, sticks, yarn)
What to do
1. Scribbling. Give your child different kinds of paper and different writing materials to scribble with. Coloring books are not needed. Fat crayons are good to begin with. Water-soluble felt-tipped marking pens are fun because your child doesn’t have to use much pressure to get a bright color. Tape a large piece of butcher paper onto a table top and let your preschooler scribble to her heart’s content!
2. Fingerpainting. Use store-bought fingerpaint, or make your own by mixing soap flakes (not detergent) in a bowl with a small amount of water. Beat the mixture with a fork or eggbeater. Add powdered tempera paint or food coloring. Spread out newspapers or a large piece of plastic over a table or on the floor and tape a big piece of construction paper or butcher paper on top. Cover your child with a large smock or apron, and let her fingerpaint.
3. Collages. Have your child paste fabric scraps or other objects such as yarn, string, or cottonballs to the paper (in any pattern). Let her feel the different textures and tell you about them.
Here are a few tips about introducing your preschoolers to art:
* Supervise carefully. Some children would rather color your walls than the paper. Some also like to chew on crayons and markers or try to drink the paint.
* Don’t tell them what to draw or paint.
* Don’t fix up their pictures. It will take lots of practice before you can recognize their pictures--and that often doesn’t happen until after they are in kindergarten.
* Give them lots of different materials to work with. Parents can demonstrate new types of art materials.
* Find an art activity that’s at the right level for your child, then let him do as much of the project as possible.
* Ask your preschooler to talk about his picture.
* Display your child’s art prominently in your home.
Art projects can spark young imaginations and help children to express themselves. These projects also help children to develop the eye and hand coordination they will later need to learn to write.
Chores
Any household task can become a good learning game and can be fun.
What you’ll need
Jobs around the home that need to get done, such as:
Doing the laundry Washing and drying dishes Carrying out the garbage Setting the dinner table Dusting
What to do
1. Tell your child about the job you will do together. Explain why the family needs the job done. Describe how you will do it and how your child can help.
2. Teach your child new words that belong to each job. 'Let’s put the placemats on the table, along with the napkins.'
3. Doing laundry together provides many opportunities to learn. Ask your child to help you remember all the clothes that need to be washed. See how many things he can name. Socks? Tshirts? Pajamas? Have him help you gather all the dirty clothes. Have your child help you make piles of light and dark colors.
Show your child how to measure out the soap, and have him pour the soap into the machine. Let him put the items into the machine, naming them. Keep out one sock. When the washer is filled with water, take out a sock. Let your child hold the wet sock and the one you kept out. Ask him which one feels heavier and which one feels lighter. After the wash is done, have your child sort his own things into piles that are the same (for example, T-shirts, socks).
Home chores can help children learn new words, how to listen and follow directions, how to count, and how to sort. Chores can also help children improve their physical coordination and learn responsibility.
4 to 5 Years
What to expect
Children this age
* Are active and have lots of energy;
* May be aggressive in their play;
* Can show extremes from being loud and adventurous to acting shy and dependent;
* Enjoy more group activities because they have longer attention spans;
* Like making faces and being silly;
* May form cliques with friends and can be bossy;
* May change friendships quickly;
* May brag and engage in name-calling during play;
* May experiment with swear words and bathroom words;
* Can be very imaginative and like to exaggerate;
* Have better control in running, jumping, and hopping but tend to be clumsy;
* Are great talkers and questioners; and
* Love to use words in rhymes, nonsense, and jokes.
What they need
Children this age need opportunities to
* Experiment and discover within limits;
* Use blunt-tipped scissors, crayons, and put together simple jigsaw puzzles;
* Practice outdoor play activities;
* Develop their growing interest in academic things, such as science and mathematics, and activities that involve exploring and investigating;
* Group items that are similar (for example, by size);
* Stretch their imaginations and curiosity; and
* See how reading and writing are useful (for example, by listening to stories and poems, dictating stories, and by talking with other children and adults).
'Hands-on' Math
Real-life, hands-on activities are the best way to introduce your preschooler to mathematics!
What you’ll need
Optional:
Blocks Dice or dominoes
What to do
1. Talk a lot about numbers and use number concepts in daily routines with your preschooler. For example:
* Cooking. 'Let’s divide the cookie dough into two parts so we can bake some now and put the rest into the freezer.'
* Home projects. 'We’re going to hang this picture 6 inches above the bookshelf in your room.'
* Home chores. 'How many plates do we need on the table? One for Mommy, one for Daddy, and one for Jenny.'
It’s best not to use drills or arithmetic worksheets with young children. These can make children dislike math because they don’t fit with the way they learn math naturally.
2. Talk about numbers that matter most to your preschooler--her age, her address, her phone number, her height and weight. Focusing on these personal numbers helps your child learn many important math concepts, including:
* Time (hours, days, months, years; older, younger; yesterday, today, tomorrow). To a young child, you might say, 'At 2 o’clock we will take a nap.' When you plan with an older preschooler (4 or 5 years old), you could point out, 'It’s only 3 days until we go to Grandma’s house. Let’s put an X on the calendar so we’ll know the day we’re going.'
* Lengths (inches, feet; longer, taller, shorter). 'this ribbon is too short to go around the present for Aunt Susan. Let’s cut a longer ribbon.'
* Weight (ounces, pounds, grams; heavier, lighter; how to use scales). 'You already weigh 30 pounds. I can hardly lift such a big girl.'
* Where you live (addresses, telephone numbers). 'These shiny numbers on our apartment door are 2-1-4. We live in apartment number 214.' Or 'When you go to play at Terry’s house, take this note along with you. It’s our phone number: 253-6711. Some day soon you will know our phone number so you can call me when you are at your friend’s.'
3. Provide opportunities for your child to learn math. For example:
* Blocks can teach children to classify objects by color and shape. Blocks can also help youngsters learn about depth, width, height, and length.
* Games that have scoring, such as throwing balls into a basket, require children to count. Introduce games such as dominoes or rolling dice. Have your child roll the dice and count the dots. Let her try to roll for matches. Count favorite toys.
* Books often have number themes or ideas.
Getting Along
Learning to get along with others is very important. Children who are kind, helpful, patient, and loving generally do better in school.
What you’ll need
No materials required
What to do
1. Let your child know that you are glad to be his mommy or daddy. Give him personal attention and encouragement. Set aside time when you and your child can do fun things together. Your happy feelings toward your child will help him feel good about himself.
2. Set a good example. Show your preschooler what it means to get along with others and to be respectful. Say 'please' and 'thank you.' Treat people in ways that show you care what happens to them. Ask for things in a friendly way. Be kind to and patient with other people.
3. Help your child find ways to solve conflicts with others. Help your child figure out what will happen if he tries to settle his mad feelings by hitting a playmate: 'James, I know that Tiffany took your toy truck. But if you hit Tiffany and you have a big fight, then Tiffany will have to go home, and the two of you won’t be able to play any more today. What is another way that you can let Tiffany know you want your truck back?'
James might decide to tell Tiffany that he’s mad, and that he wants his truck back. Or he might let Tiffany play with his truck for 5 minutes with the hope that Tiffany will then give it back. Listening to your children’s problems will often be all that is needed for them to solve their own problems.
4. Make opportunities to share and to care. Let your child take charge of providing food for hungry birds. When a new family moves into the neighborhood, let your preschooler help make cookies to welcome them.
5. Be physically affectionate. Children need hugs, kisses, an arm over the shoulder, and a pat on the back.
6. Tell your child that you love him. Don’t assume that your loving actions will speak for themselves (although those are very important). Teach your child the international hand sign for 'I love you.' You can 'sign' each other love as your child leaves home for the first day of kindergarten.
Children need good social skills. Teachers and other children will enjoy your youngster’s company if he gets along well with others.
My Book
Most 4-year-olds like to talk and have a lot to say. They generally can’t write down words themselves, but they enjoy dictating a story to you.
What you’ll need
Paper A paper punch Blunt-tipped scissors Pencil, pen, crayons Yarn, pipe cleaners, or staples Paste
What to do
1. Make a booklet of five or six pages. Your child can help punch holes close to one edge and thread yarn through the holes to keep the pages together. You can also bind the book with twisted pipe cleaners, or staple the pages together.
2. On the outside cover, write your child’s name. Explain to him that this is going to be a book about him.
3. Let your child decide what will go on each page. Write it down. Examples: Other people in my family. My favorite toys. My favorite books. My friends. My pet. My neighborhood. My home (or my bedroom). My own drawings.
Making this book will help your child develop his language skills and give him more practice using the small muscles in his hands. Your 4-year-old will also love having your undivided attention.
What About Kindergarten?
The activities in this book can help your child from birth to age 5 get ready for kindergarten. As the first day of school approaches, however, you may want to do extra things to make the school seem a friendlier place for both you and your child.
Find out as much as you can about the school before your child enters it. You will want to learn
* The principal’s name;
* The kindergarten teacher’s name;
* When to register for kindergarten and what forms need to be filled out;
* What immunizations are required for school entry;
* A description of the kindergarten program;
* The kindergarten yearly calendar and daily schedule;
* Transportation procedures;
* Food service arrangements; and
* How you can become involved in your child’s education and in the school.
Some schools will send you this information. Or they may hold an orientation meeting in the spring for parents who expect to enroll their children in kindergarten the following fall. If they don’t, you can call the principal’s office to ask or to arrange a visit.