Helping Your Child
Get Ready for
School
with activities for children
from birth through age 5
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.
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.
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