Click on the links
below .
Click on the links
below .
Reading:
Read to your child as often as possible. Start by choosing the book together. Look at the cover of the book and discuss what you think the book might be about. Why does your child think that? Who is the author of the book? What does the author do? Who is the illustrator of the book? What does she do? You can take a picture walk through the book discussing the story as told by the pictures. This is also a good time to bring up any vocabulary that might be unfamiliar to your child and to discuss what your child already knows about the subject the book covers. For example, if you are reading a book about a penguin, what does your child know about penguins? Look at a page and ask your child? Where do I start reading? It is important that they know we read from left to right. Ask them how they know where the end of a sentence is? Discuss periods and question marks. You can also bring up exclamation marks if they are in the book. I teach that we use these when we are excited or want someone to know, WE MEAN IT! Of course, sometimes the child will just want to READ the story and that's fine. You do not need to do these things every time, but you should do it enough to give your child the opportunity to discover many aspects of books beyond the written word. After reading the book,discuss it. You might want to ask: What was this story about ? Who were the characters? Where did it take place? Have your child retell the story. This is good sequencing practice. You might discuss that every story has a beginning, middle, and end. How might this story have ended differently? What was your favorite part/character? Why? Then, read the book again!
Don't forget to take opportunities to read things besides books with your child. Help Mom find the Apple Jacks in the cereal aisle or help Dad find the street sign that says Pine Street.
Whether we realize it or not, math is all around us. Do you want one cookie or two? Give half of that candy to your brother. How much does that cost? Does this one cost more or less? Take opportunities whenever you can to strengthen math concepts. When you're cutting fruit for you children you can teach fractions. Yes fractions! How many apples do I have? When I cut it down the middle how many pieces do I have? Is it still one apple? Discuss the concept of half. Once you start thinking this way, you will find opportunities everywhere! How long do you think it will take us to get to school? Maybe longer if there's a train. Count the cars on the train! Board games can be great aids in teaching math skills. Card games are also an excellent way to work on number recognition and the concept of higher and lower value.
Ordinal numbers:
This is sometimes difficult for some children. Put several objects down in a row. Count them. Always start on the left. Then ask your child; which is first? Which is last? Which is fourth? You get the idea. There are two sites to practice these skills on the Links for Fun and Learning Page.
We will cover a different letter/sound each week. You can help your child reinforce this at home in several ways.
- Have your child find things in the room that start with the letter of the week.
- Make a picture book of that letter with pictures found in magazines.
- Make a list of all the words your child can think of that start with that letter/sound.
- Go through a book or other written material and have your child point out all the words that contain the letter of the week. Better yet, if it's just an old magazine, let them circle the letters. We do this at school with a dry erase marker. They love it. This is a good way to discuss that the letter can be found at the beginning or end of a word or even within the word. You might list how many words start with the letter? How many end with it? How many have it inside the word. This could be a great graphing activity!
Handwriting
We will be using the denealean method of handwriting. This enables most children to move into cursive writing more easily. Please keep and use the chart you were given at the first meeting. As handwriting papers come home, practice the letters.
Once we have a few letters and sounds under our belt, give your child opportunities to write. Do not be too concerned with spelling. We spell the KINDERGARTEN WAY. We sound it out. Until then they can dictate to you or draw pictures.
- Let's make a list for the grocery store.
- Make a list of your toys.
- Write Grandma a letter.
- Write a reminder for Dad.
- Write a note to your teacher.
- Draw a picture and label it.
Play
Don't overlook the fact that for kindergarten children, playtime is learning time! They use their imaginations, words, non-verbal communication skills, problem-solving skills and more. They learn by doing. In school we have learning centers. The kids just consider it play and the learning is just a product of that play that they don't realize at the time. Sounds sneaky doesn't it? Of course, they also need unstructured playtime. We meet this need during recess. Don't feel you always need to be entertaining or teaching your child. Send them outside to play!
