Remember, in this three-part series we are writing about activities to help prepare your child to be successful at school.
Helping your child become more independent, socially prepared and academically strong begins during the early years. So one of the real challenges is letting her do what she can for herself, even if it takes extra time.
It is a gradual process and certain milestones can be achieved through windows of learning along the way. It is very important not to miss these windows! For example, teaching a child to recognize colours and shapes is very easy between the ages of two and three, but extremely difficult when they are five.
The most important asset you can give your child is acquisition of language. Reading books, playing with toys and going on outings are the best ways to develop language.
Books continue to be an integral part to their learning. They will now progress from using board books to regular books. It is vitally important to be involved with your child as you look at books. This is the year where they build vocabulary, which is so important for later learning.
Parents can point to and name objects, people, body parts, animals and colours. Sounds the animals make should be introduced.
During this year, children begin to point and name familiar things in their books. They are "reading the picture." When teachers read class books to their students they will often start with a "picture walk" to introduce the vocabulary for the story. All children go through the stage of reading the pictures; print comes much later. Books with pictures of real things are just as important as fiction books.
Rhyming words are an important part of a kindergarten literacy program. This is an auditory skill and children need to hear them, recognize them and repeat them. If they are exposed to rhymes from a young age children are more likely not to have a problem with this skill at school. This is another reason nursery rhymes are very important as they are short in length and children eventually recite them on their own.
Make singing part of your day. Language can sometimes be more easily repeated if put to a tune. The more a child hears a song, the sooner the child will sing along. Repetition at this age is the key. They will want stories over and over again and songs repeated.
By age two children are usually very vocal and have started to speak in short two to four word sentences. Do not worry if this is not your child, as long as your child is building language daily, that is the most important thing. Losing language already learned is a red flag and needs to be checked with a physician.
Throughout this age group, children begin to refine fine-motor dexterity. Their little fingers gain strength and hand and eye co-ordination improves. They enjoy puzzles with increasing difficulty, posting shapes, stacking things, building with blocks, large Lego, putting items in containers and taking them out, exploring cupboards and drawers. Children this age group will begin to play make-believe games in a play kitchen, or with a toy farm.
Their large motor muscles also develop as they walk, run, climb, jump and swing. Large balls and bean bags are great play things. Pull-along toys and ride 'em toys are perfect for this age group.
Continue to avoid having your toddlers spend time in front of screens. A minimal amount of TV is OK but usually 30 minutes is plenty. Have some shows on the PVR so you can ensure the quality.
This is also the age group where children are easier to entertain and manage outside rather than inside. So get them outside as much as possible. Balls are great for rolling, chasing and kicking. Swimming is also good exercises for those large muscles. The community playgrounds should also be checked out.
Drop-in "parent and tot" play groups, family places, parent-child Mother Goose and library story times are a good bet. Outings on public transport are always enjoyable and make songs come to life, e.g. "The Wheels on the Bus."
All these experiences and activities provide children with background knowledge which is so important when they eventually go to school.
Next week we will take a look at preschoolers.
Kathy Lynn is a professional speaker and author. She is collaborating on this three-part series about preparing children for school with Janice Beesley, a retired daycare supervisor, preschool teacher and kindergarten teacher. To read more, visit parentingtoday.ca.
