What's the most essential thing our preschoolers need to learn before walking into their first day of
These are some of the skills that experts have identified as essential for preschoolers to learn along with a few parent-created activities to help you help your children learn even more about the world around them.
• To help your child learn to function and work constructively in a group setting, using appropriate social skills ...
... have a picnic indoors
For those long winter days when you can't get outside, your toddler will love having an indoor picnic. Have your child help you pack up a basket full of food. Together, you can then lay out a tablecloth or a sheet on the floor and put out plates and silverware. Then sit down and enjoy a wonderful picnic together. For extra fun, imagine all of the things that you see around you, things that you would have seen had you been having an outdoor picnic.
• To teach your child to share or take turns using toys ...
... sing a song of "It's My Turn"
It happens on every playdate -- two children want to play with the same toy. One way to help them to learn to take turns and work things out for themselves is to have them sing a song while playing with the toy. Once that song is over, it's the other child's turn. The song can be as simple and short as "Twinkle, Twinkle" for little ones or "If You're Happy and You Know It" for older ones.
• To show your child how to ask appropriately for help of an adult when needed ...
... play Role Reversal
Sometimes it's a fun treat for your child to get to be the "parent" for a little while. One afternoon, make a game out of reversing roles with your kids. It can be their job to remind you of the rules and of using polite behavior, and you can be as good or as challenging a child as you wish. We usually play this game with my daughter pretending to be me and I pretend to be her. It can be an eye-opening experience for both of us to realize how we sound to the other person. And it can be very funny, too.
• To help your child identify and follow classroom or house rules ...
... have a talk about What are Good Rules for...?
Next time you're headed to a restaurant or some other place where your child will need to be on his or her best behavior, make a game out of learning the rules. In the car on the way to the location, ask your child, "What do you think are good rules for going to...?" They'll usually come up with some good ones (and they usually come up with rules for things that they're most likely to do), and then you can add your own. It's a fun way to help your child remember all of the things that encompass using good manners.
• To teach your child to become a better listener ...
... work on these Three Steps to Listening
When my daughter was having trouble listening and following directions in school, her teacher suggested that I give her three-step tasks to complete. These help her to focus her listening and her memory. So instead of just asking her to get dressed for school, I ask her to brush her teeth, put on her shoes, and stand by the back door. She's become a much better listener and has improved her ability to follow through on a list of things to do.
• To show your child how to make requests and acknowledge attempts to meet requests politely ...
... let them Be the Teacher
While kids might not always like going to school, they usually like to play school at home. Not only is this a fun way to spend an afternoon, but it's a good way to reinforce what your kids have been learning in the classroom. You can also use this time to practice good manners. If you're the teacher, be sure to say Please and Thank You when asking your pupil to complete a task. Then switch roles, and let your little one be the one giving you the assignments (politely!).
• To help your child carry out single-step verbal directions ...
... play the Helping Game
Kids love to be helpers. Next time you're working in the kitchen or doing chores around the house, get your child involved. Give them a task that is manageable, one step at a time, and help them learn to be more self-sufficient and responsible in the process. My kids help by bringing me things that I need, measuring spoonfuls of ingredients, sorting laundry by color, and folding napkins into squares, rectangles, and triangles. There are learning opportunities all around -- we just have to find them!
• To teach your child to identify and label the emotions ...
... create a Daily Journal together
Each night before you put your child to bed, set aside a few minutes to reflect on the day. In a spiral notebook, ask your child what the best (or worst) part of her day was and have them draw a simple picture. You can then write what your child says about her picture on the same page. Date this and you will have memories for years to come!
More from The Savvy Source:
• Browse our activity guides for even more ideas to help your child learn about social skills.
• Help your child begin saying "please' and "thank you" with these books and toys.
• Find great activities in your town every day with Being Savvy Local.
• For our children, every day is a learning day. Find and collect even more great ideas at www.savvysource.com.
