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Special Education Blog
Feb 27, 2011
Posted in: Blog
Hi everyone. Think Spring! It must be right around the corner – right?
Kindergarten transition continues to be the theme to address. I read an article recently by Kristin Parsons from Get Set for School that focuses on a new curriculum that helps preschool children prepare for kindergarten. The article suggested activities that parents can do to encourage these skills in preschoolers. I’d like to share some of her suggestions.
Read – Reading with your child shows your children the importance of communicating though words.
Draw – Children who draw often written better. Giving children broken pieces of crayons or chalk to use forces them to hold the small pieces correctly.
Cook – Make letters out of cookies to help children become familiar with letters and to teach the importance of following directions.
Sing – Sing the alphabet, showing your child the letters as you sing them. Sing songs that use their fingers like “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.”
Move – Use and teach spatial words like under, over, top, middle, and bottom along with visual representations. For example, “Go to the top of the slide or put one hand under the other.”
Live and Learn – Children learn by participating in every day activities. Explain the concept of waiting in line when you are at the grocery store. Name the body parts as a child gets dressed. Use bathroom time to count toys in the tub. Draw letters on the wall of the tub with shaving cream. Learn how to pour from a pitcher.
She further suggests that helping your child prepare for kindergarten does not have to be stressful. By including simple, fun learning activities in your daily lives, your preschooler can enjoy success in kindergarten.
I hope you find these ti