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