| Children love to learn. In the first years of life, there | | | | there are many studies that have shown without a |
| really is no distinction between learning and play to a | | | | doubt that reading to your child every day is one of |
| child and they get as much fun and joy from learning | | | | the finest ways to get them ready for school. If you |
| new things as they do from any game they play. So | | | | read stories to your little one and allow them to look |
| the years before kindergarten are a perfect time to | | | | over your shoulder, you will be surprised how many |
| use play time with you to begin their path toward | | | | words they will learn to recognize just from that |
| conquering some basic principles that will be very | | | | casual time of loving relaxation with mommy or |
| helpful to them when they reach kindergarten. | | | | daddy. |
| Many children's games and books focus on helping | | | | But reading is also one of the best ways to improve |
| your little one learn colors, shapes and other basics | | | | your child's vocabulary and ability to speak clearly and |
| that will be good to have a firm grasp of before | | | | expressively. Don't be surprised if you find your child |
| they reach kindergarten. You can make a game of | | | | with books open early and often because you took |
| knowing the color names and you will be surprised | | | | the time to read to her even before she starts at |
| how quick witted your child is and able to pick up not | | | | kindergarten. And that love of learning is something |
| just the basic 5-10 colors but many nuances of color | | | | that will stay with that child for the rest of her life. |
| as well. The same is true of shapes. While a child may | | | | What a wonderful gift. |
| have trouble saying "octagon", don't underestimate | | | | If your child loves to run and play as is very common |
| their ability to learn the names of the various shapes | | | | in young children, you can use that to help them |
| of their toys and blocks. | | | | develop strong motor skills which will help in dozens |
| You can use play and reading time to also help your | | | | of ways in school. Hand eye coordination not only will |
| preschool child get a good grasp of the alphabet, | | | | help your child do well in gym and playing sports, it |
| how the letters look and numbers and counting. | | | | will help in learning to write and many other related |
| These will all be excellent basic skills of kindergarten | | | | physical dexterity challenges that she will face in |
| that will make the step into formal school easy and | | | | school. |
| smooth for your child. In fact, it isn't out line to | | | | By looking at many of life's simple pleasures that you |
| expect that your preschooler could learn to sign her | | | | enjoy in raising a preschooler as also opportunities to |
| name and do some basic letter shaping exercises | | | | develop your child intellectually, physically and even |
| before she starts kindergarten. How great would it | | | | socially in preparation for kindergarten, you are giving |
| be for her not only to have these core skills and | | | | your baby wonderful skills, knowledge and abilities |
| areas of knowledge well in hand before school starts | | | | that will pay off big when kindergarten starts officially |
| but to be able to start with that much confidence | | | | when she is five. And you will be thrilled to see her |
| that she is smart and ready for school? That kind of | | | | naturally step into the formal school world so well and |
| confidence translates into big time success for any | | | | begin to succeed because you took the time to get |
| student starting on a big new adventure. | | | | her ready well ahead of time. |
| Along with using play time in such a productive way, | | | | |