There are a number of things that you can do at home, or on errands, in order to help your child prepare for school:
- Read. One of the best things you can do for your child is foster a love of reading early on. Not only will it be more enjoyable for your child and not seen as a chore, but it will help him/her to recognize letters and words. Visit the library and let him/her pick out what books he’d/she'd like to read. Also, take advantage of the library’s story time. Don’t limit yourself to books – encourage your child to read signs, billboards, and bumper stickers as well.
- When you write, let your child write too. Ask for her/his help in writing lists or tell her/him to write you a pretend check.
- Go through the alphabet one letter at a time, and have your child collect (or just name) certain items that start with that day’s letter. Go one step further and have a themed snack or dinner: chili, carrots, and cake on “C” day, for example.
- Create rhymes with your child and make them into silly songs.
- Play letter “I spy” by saying, “I spy, with my little eye, something that begins with the letter H” and letting your child guess what you’re thinking of.
- Buy a couple of sets of plastic letter magnets – you can pick them up cheaply at most dollar stores – and put them on the refrigerator or a special magnetized board, at a kid’s-eye level.
- Have your child practice writing his/her name with chalk on the sidewalk, soap crayons in the bath, glittery crayons or markers, finger paints, or anything else that’s fun.
- Pick out a few simple recipes and have her/him help you in the kitchen by measuring and mixing. Talk about quantities, textures, tastes and smells.
- Encourage him/her to sort things out: separating all the freezer-bound groceries from the rest, putting socks together while doing laundry, or go the yummy route and let him/her sort a pack of Skittles or M&Ms into piles of the same color!
- Refer to the calendar often. Keep track of the days of the week and the date, and make a countdown to special events.
- Play games with your child that involve counting, such as the classics Candyland and High-Ho Cherry-O, and card games such as Memory.
- When you’re at the supermarket, have her/him point out different shapes.
- Improve fine motor skills (and increase creativity) in several ways: provide your child with an art box full of paper, markers, crayons, and scissors. Roll and mold clay into different shapes. Play with Legos or other blocks. Strings beads or cereal to make “jewelry.”
- Put puzzles together. Make it a family affair!
