Name the store

A great way to teach your child familiar places is, cut out signs of shops from their catalogues and glue them onto cardboard. When you´re out shopping, hand them some of the cards and ask them to point out that particular shop. This helps the child learn how to identify signs and places. This also aids with their perception of where things are. You won`t have any bored children around with this game. Another version can be played in the car - identifying the police station and other importnat landmarks.

Where do I start?

Parents often don´t know where to start teaching their kids the alphabet. A logical method is as follows:
Sing the alphabet song

Buy or make an alphabet or phonics chart, look at it!

Say together, "a is for apple, a, a, apple" all through your chart

Use names and signs to show that some words occur frequently around us. These are the ones preschoolers often like to learn to recognise.

Fun alphabet practice

Are you trying to teach your preschooler letters in a fun way. Buy ABC stickers and use them to spell personalized messages on birthday cards and envelopes. Your child may want the card to read "Happy Birthday Grandma". You can write the words out and then help your child find the H sticker and she can place it on the card. Then help her find the A and show her where to line it up and so on. This is a fun way to learn how words are formed, practice letter recognition and personalize messages before the child is able to write.

Learning is Fun

When teaching your child a new skill or concept, remember that learning is fun. It doesn´t matter which child learns his alphabet or numbers first, the important thing is to keep it fun and non-frustrating for the child. Often in our attempts to teach, we loose our patience and forget that our children are very young. Relax and try not to compare your child to other children. First is not always better.

What is a Circle?

I like to use real objects and hands-on activities. To teach the "circle" shape, I collect a variety of them from my home: jar, bowl, plate, lid, juice lid, paper towel roll, candle, votive cup, etc. These provide many different sizes of circles. I hide them in a bag behind my back then proceed to give hints as the children try to guess what I have. Each child gets an object to hold. We then go back to the table where there are paper and crayons. I help them trace around the objects on their papers, then they glue construction paper circles onto their papers. For an individual center activity, I trace the objects onto poster board. The children then match their object to its tracing.

Count Us In

Use counting games from a very young age to teach your children about the world of numbers. Play Hide & Seek, sing counting rhymes, count the stairs or pebbles collected, and so on.
Once they are familiar with the names of the numbers, you can write them in sand, on paper or cut them out from card to teach what each looks like.

Monopoly

There is more to be learned from the board game Monopoly than just "Passing Go" and getting $200. It can teach your children the importance of compounding their money with little effort. Monopoly can also show them to use their money wisely. You may be amazed to see how fast they learn.

Community Helpers

Preschoolers come into contact with many community helpers during their day. They see the mail carrier bring letters, they see cashiers total their groceries, they go to the doctor on a regular basis. After coming into contact with a community helper, it is helpful to discuss the person´s job and why it is helpful. Preschoolers are fascinated with vehicles and many community helpers have specific vehicles they work with. Roll playing and dress-up props are uselful ways to engage in active learning. Story time can include books with community helpers as main characters. The children often enjoy hearing about the specifics of their parents jobs also.

What is a Square?

I put masking tape on my carpet outlining the shape of a square then we marched the lines while singing:

Tune: Farmer In the Dell)
We walk along the square
We walk along the square
Four straight lines
All the same size
We walk along the square.

Dice Games

Dice games are fabulous for learning Mathematics and all about numbers. Dice and counting spaces on board games are often a child´s first introduction to numbers. See if you can find two dice, one with a numeral on each of the six sides and one with spots to represent the numeral. Many preschoolers enjoy rolling the dice to match them up. Simple fun!

A little at a time...

Put three handwritten letters the fridge with a magnet holding them, or any other visible place... Leave them there until your child can name the letter and their sounds. Move in alphabetical order, or through the pattern on your phonics chart if you prefer. Once your child recognises the whole alphabet, use the letters to make words (you may need a few sets to avoid frustration).

Library convenience

Taking your child to the library can be very enjoyable for both of you. But it is often difficult to choose good children´s books and monitor your child at the same time. Eliminate the hassle by calling the library in advance and reserving the books you want. It is helpful to have a list of recommended books in front of you when you call the library. You and your child can still choose books from the shelves, but the particular ones you requested will be waiting for you behind the counter.

Memory Game

Make a memory game with numbers on each card and play this with your child. Not only will they enjoy playing with mum, they will be learning their numbers as you play together.