Websites

By Ontario_Mom on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply

We play and learn at the same time. Count how many crayons she has on the table. Play eye spy to learn colours.
Go for walks and point things out. Get more descriptive.
Look at the tree. Then look at the maple tree etc.
Good luck!
References :
Check out our Moms and Moms to be chat forum.
We love new members.

http://www.mommy-talk.com

By Rhiannon on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply

There’s no real specific activity you need to do with your child to prepare them for school. The important thing is simply to stimulate them however works for you both.

Reading is hugely important, so trips to the bookstore or library may be in order. Chose a variety of books if you can and read as much as you can to her. Have her point out various objects, name them and (for animals) do their noises.

If you live in a large city with tourist activites, take her and be a tourist in your own city. A park is wonderful but if you can take her to a zoo or museum it’s even better.

You can probably find a "homeschooling" or teachers supply store in your city as well, check your phonebook index. They sell all sorts of wonderful educational books, toys and activity sets.
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By Chell927 on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply

I went to the local dollar store and Target to get some learning toys and such. I got flash cards that teach opposites, shapes, colors, and the alphabet. I also got her some craft stuff b/c as most of us know preschool is also about playing and being creative. Good luck!
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By switchkitty on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply

Try your library. You can find so much useful information there not only on how you can help your daughter but books for her and special programs for kids and parents.
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By Rahrah on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply

Play with her to teach her how to share. Do arts and crafts to teach her how to color, cut, and paste. Also teach her her basics colors, numbers and counting, and the alphabet (especially how to spell her name). Teach her how to tie her shoes, work buttons and zippers. Teach her basic shapes (circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles). All these things were on the tests my sons had to take to enter kindergarten.
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By question on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply

ADVICE FROM A PRESCHOOL TEACHER:
Alot of the things that we do at the preschool you can do at home. Here are some suggestions
1 – count things around the house or when you are picking up her toys have her count them as she puts them away
2 – sing together it helps with verbal skills
3 – do art projects together at home with numbers, textures, letters, shapes (things like that) and talk about them as you do the work together
4 – if you can afford them get computer games they help with colors, shapes, math
5 – puzzles can help with numbers letters animals anything that you want
6 – if your daughter is 3 start having her write her name by tracing, you helping her
7 – by 4 have her learn her name just by being able to trace it, and learn birthdates and things like that

If you have any other questions or want anything, just email me, i accept email

I hope this helps
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By Taylor V on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply

http://www.nickjr.com/parents

http://www.noggin.com (Look around and print out activitie pages)
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By BraxOwl on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply

You can go to Google.com or another search engine and type in printable worksheets and find numerous sites that offer such. You can also get preschool workbooks at Wal Mart or any book store or school supply store.

Children that age, however, learn best-and retain more-when they learn through play. You most likely already do a lot, but here are some things you can with her at home that will help her:

Purchase some computer games. I love the JumpStart series. Most-even the cartoon ones-provide math, reading, and other skills. Websites such as nickjr.com, disney.com, pbskids.com, and others offer learning games.

Have books throughout the house. Read to her often, and allow her to read to you (make up a story based on the pictures). Stop halfway through when you are reading a story, and ask her what she thinks is going to happen.

Purchase alphabet and number magnets for your refrigerator. Use them to teach her to spell her name, the names of the letters, you can do simple math problems, etc.

Puzzles!

Board games, such as Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Memory!

Even sorting socks can be a learning activity-matching colors.

Sing songs, play games, do arts and crafts activities.

Explore your world! What is in your back yard that you do not notice? (Ants, different leaves, etc). Go on a nature walk around your neighborhood. What animals do you see?

I homeschool my children (ages 9 and 7), but there are also resources out there for "home preschooling". That is another topic you could put in the search engine.

Join a playgroup, where she can play with and do activities with other children her age.

Just never, NEVER push her to sit still and work on worksheets for a long period of time. Offer the worksheets, but understand that the sitting is an unnatural thing for a young child to do for a long time. And again, she will retain more if she learns through hands on activities!

http://www.worldbook.com/wb/Students?curriculum
This site has a Typical Course of Study for each grade level, starting at Preschool. It can give you some ideas of skills she should be learning.

Other valuable resources for you would be the local library, Children’s museum (many have free days, or days where you pay reduced admission), the zoo, etc.
References :
Common sense and research
Personal experience and opinion
Mom of two and one on teh way!

By Eden Rose on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply

My boyfriend and I are both studying to work with kids-he’s going to be an elementary school teacher and I’m a nurse who’s going to focus on pediatrics. We both agree that one of the best things parents can do with their kids when they’re still young is read to them. And when they’re able, have family reading times when they can read books to you, too. Share reading with them now & they’ll be more likely to still love it later on & be more willing to read & learn in school.
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By JNate on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply

My toddler LOVES http://www.starfall.com He could watch that all day long. Also check with your local library and bookstores to see if they have storytimes you can attend. We do that twice a week. It’s a great social activity too, and have met several other moms with kids the same age. You can also get some educational videos so long as you watch them with her and don’t use them as a babysitter. Read, read, read as much as you can. All experts agree that reading is the single most important thing you can do. We also got two huge maps from teacher supply stores. One of the USA and one of the world. They are hanging in his room nice and low so he can see. I spend a few minutes each day pointing out where we live and where our family lives and various countries, continents, oceans, etc. So long as you are actively spending time with her, talking to her and playing with her, she’ll be just fine. What a great mom you are for caring!
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By vixxen on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply

Your local library should have story time for your toddler along with arts and crafts. Take a couple of books out for her and read to her. Also, try getting some childrens cupcake books and have her help you pick out colors and such. She will have a blast with the outcome, as my two year old does. Available as well are puzzles, which help in development. Make sure you take her to the park where others play so she can interact. Try the Noggin and Nick Jr Websites, which allow you to watch vidoes, play games and print out stuff. Children are sponges, so whatever you do, she will learn from. More importantly is her ability to stay still and listen once she arrives at school, so the library is the best and cheapest tool.
References :
http://www.noggin.com/