1. New Word of the Day
Introduce your preschooler to a new word each morning at breakfast and define it for him. Keep it simple by using synonyms for words he already knows. Example: vehicle can be another word for car, truck, van, etc. Make a game of using the word as many times as possible each day. This is a fun way to build your child's vocabulary.
2. Create a Reading Hide-Away
A large cardboard box can become anything your child wants it to be. Spend a fun-filled afternoon fashioning a reading hide-away with your child. A miniature house, a castle, or a cave are just a few possibilities. It need not be fancy to catch your preschoolers fancy! Large pieces of construction paper can be taped to the outside to represent stone or siding. Place a rug, some pillows or child-sized furniture and a few age-appropriate books inside. Be sure to design a skylight into the top of the box. Your child will spend many hours "reading" or playing in their special spot.
3. Her Very Own Scrapbook
Scrapbooking is a fun way for children to develop their fine motor and categorizing skills while creating neatly organized memories that parents can cherish for years to come. Scrapbooking supplies are readily available at specialty stores and craft shops. Let your child choose a topic for her scrapbook. If she needs ideas, suggest a birthday, a holiday or other special family event. Allow her to choose her own stickers, colors and accessories while explaining that certain symbols represent certain events. If she really insists upon using a cake with blazing candles in a Halloween scrapbook, let her! This is supposed to be fun, remember? Sort through your family photos together and help her choose ones that fit her theme.
4. Community Map
Show your child a map of your state or the U.S. Using a large piece of poster board, draw a map of your community and help your child mark your home, school, grocery store, and relative's and friend's houses. Children enjoy using colorful stickers to represent familiar landmarks. Help him create a simple key for your map. New landmarks can be added as your child further explores the community.
5. Personal Telephone Book
Buy or help your preschooler make a telephone book of her own. She can list emergency numbers, such as 911, and also the numbers of her friends and grandparents. Provide a toy telephone with realistic buttons so that she can practice dialing and proper phone etiquette. Her reading hide-away would make a nice quiet spot in which to do this.
6. Roleplay Bedtime Stories
Preschoolers feel secure with routines, and as a result parents often find themselves reading the same bedtime story night after night. Another result is that children often know the stories by heart, even if they can't yet read. Break up the monotony by having your child take over the speaking part of his favorite characters. This gives them early practice in dramatic interpretation and makes bedtime a little more fun!
About The Author
I am a homemaker and homeschooling mother of four. I live with my husband, two sons, two daughters, two flop-eared bunnies, and one sweet cat in southeastern Michigan.
shuttle from Midway Glen Ellyn ..4 traps to avoidTrap 1 - Parents need to realize... Read More
There are many useful jogger stroller accessories out on the... Read More
Creating and making special memories with your child is very... Read More
Reading is the most efficient and economical way to help... Read More
Parents are always looking for ways to open up the... Read More
We all scream for ice cream. Or, we don't, at... Read More
Under the "No Child Left Behind Act," public schools whose... Read More
First there were Yuppies (Young Urban Professionals). Then came the... Read More
Salon visits can be scary experiences for small children: They... Read More
Every summer our daughter goes to summer camp. She looks... Read More
A learning disability is defined as a permanent problem that... Read More
The popularity of EEG Biofeedback Training continues to grow both... Read More
Quite simply, an absolute nightmare for parents and babies alike,... Read More
Here are some tips that I have picked up from... Read More
Have you ever had this struggle with your teens? Did... Read More
Despite serious reductions in funding for arts programs in... Read More
Imagine having no television for an entire season. Such was... Read More
Beyond cases reported to authorities, little knowledge exists on the... Read More
In our last issue we posted some of our suggested... Read More
Jason Meridith's two-year old son whines when he wants more... Read More
'Whose room is it anyway?'If you have a teenager, you're... Read More
Once the newness has worn off a little, you will... Read More
Children explore the world around them and learn through pretend... Read More
As thinking, acting human beings we have the ability to... Read More
Parental Alienation Syndrome was probably first identified and codified by... Read More
shuttle from O'Hare North Chicago ..Now I know that is not how the song goes,... Read More
Many families do not want to believe their child is... Read More
Did you know that you are the most important person... Read More
When I was pregnant, we knew that we had some... Read More
The back-to-school shopping is done. Brand new pencils, colored markers,... Read More
Home schooling. What is it? What does it mean to... Read More
Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much... Read More
Tripping over the shoes and toys that seem to clutter... Read More
Parents of hyperactive children know the "Would you please just... Read More
Libraries offer more than books. They are places of learning... Read More
As a mother of two sets of fraternal boy/girl twins,... Read More
Picture this. Your child comes home with a special assignment... Read More
In this form of treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder... Read More
Parents play a critical role in their child's success. These... Read More
Choosing a baby name is an important job, so make... Read More
As a parent, are you at your wits end? Does... Read More
The following spelling games can be used by parents to... Read More
It happens every year. Just when you are settled in... Read More
Q. My daughter is a junior in high school and... Read More
You are at the grocery store with your daughter and... Read More
Does music need to be "dumbed-down" for kids? The answer... Read More
Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting... Read More
"The best blush to use is laughter: It put roses... Read More
When a child wets the bed they worry. Children tend... Read More
Public education in the United States has never been equal... Read More
Parenting |