LIL' LEARNERS
PRESCHOOL​
GETTING READY FOR PRESCHOOL
Getting Ready for School Activities
One of the most common questions is...
What does my child need to know before starting preschool?
One of the most valuable things that your child can have is independent/self help skills.
1. Give your child a choice of a couple of activities and have them tell you what they want to do. Then follow through and do it for a little while. It doesn't have to be for more than a couple of minutes but this encourages them to make a plan and follow through. It also helps develop the oral language and communication skills. Make sure they help clean up after they are done with the activity.
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2. Encourage your child to go ahead and try when they say "I can't do it, (or) You do it" They really do learn from mistakes and messes. Say, “You try first and if you need help I will help you get it." or "That’s OK, it didn't work out this time but you tried and that's how you learn to do it."
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3. They should be able to use the restroom independently. Work with them on independently pulling on and off their pants and getting on and off the (regular) toilet. Independently turning on and off the water to wash their hands. At this age your child wants to be big and try to do everything on their own. This is an area that as parents we sometimes do for them and it is something in preschool that they need to be able to do without a lot of assistance. (Of course we will be there to help them and work with them if they need it).
Don't forget to work hard and have fun everyday!
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Spending Time Reading To your Child Each Day Is The Best Way For Them To Learn To Read!
Reading
Identification
Find YOUR NAME in a group of other names. Use names that start with different letters and some that are similar to your name
Sounds
Play WHAT SOUND DOES THIS MAKE?
Start with animals.
Show and animal or say the name of the animal and ask your child what sound does it make.
Next Letters
If your child is ready to move on, show a letter and say the sound it makes.
It is more authentic to use letters that are familiar to your child like the
ones in your child's name, other familiar names, or familiar words.
i.e. Mom, Dad, Cat, Dog,
Be careful not to confuse them by connecting a letter sound to words that have a different sound. i.e. cow(ow), Brooke(oo), Chase(ch)
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Fine Motor
Build a Masterpiece
Use play dough to strengthen your hands and are muscles by creating a play dough masterpiece.
Tip: Do it outside early in the morning when it is cool and clean us is as
easy as letting it dry and sweeping it up.
Get a small hand broom and dust pan your little one will think cleaning it up is as fun as using the play dough!
Make A Necklace
Use yarn or a pipe cleaner and string beads. Make into a necklace or
bracelet to give to someone special.
Caution!
Parent supervision is necessary when young children are working with small objects
Tips: You can purchase larger beads to help younger hands grasp.
Use scotch tape on the ends of yarn, or dip into School Glue and let dry to make it easier to put on bead.
Math
Sorting
Have fun helping mom out.
*Sort the silverware as you put them away each day.
*Sort out and match the families socks.
*Get ready to clean your room by sorting the stuff you need to put away into similar categories.
Play I SPY
*Play I SPY using different COLORS in the real world.
*Play I SPY using different SHAPES in the real world.
Social
I am a Good Friend
Have Mommy set up a play date with a friend, go to the park and meet a new friend, or pretend with you stuffed animals at home.
Practice using your words to share your feelings and what you want.
Practice sharing and taking turns.
Practice asking your friend what they want to play and take turns being the one in charge.
