As parents we want the very best for our children. From the day our children are born we dream about their success. You are your child’s first teacher. Paying careful attention to the best process in which your child learns is crucial. This is the start of shaping the road to your child’s eminent success.
Shaping the Road
Shaping the road starts at the very beginning. You guide your child in crawling, walking, eating and (the dreaded) potty training. Upon mastering these steps you and your child are ready to move on to the next level. The recognition and understanding of colors, shapes, abc’s, and 123’s are components of this next level. There are many tools such as nursery rhymes, games and interactive play designed to assist your child in learning.
In many situations working parents may not have much time to properly engage in these tools. The methods I will share will take less than thirty minutes a day and some of it you will be able to move about freely while your child engages in independent learning.
Budget Friendly Options
Many educational programs have been instituted and advertised for your child’s success. Although many of these programs are excellent tools your budget may not allow the use of such tools in your home. Preparing your child for kindergarten can be a challenging task. This factor weighs greatly on you child’s development speed. Your budget should not factor a weight in this process.
Having the wonderful privilege of being a mother myself and working a couple years in a daycare setting I have discovered some very budget friendly and effective ways to teach.
Although teacher supply stores are always great avenues for educational shopping do not count out the dollar and .99 stores. I have found many of the same items at the dollar and .99 stores at a far cheaper rate. Some of the items I have found and used are:
Shapes and Colors book (with activities)
Arts and Crafts book
ABC book (with pictures and practice writing)
Beginning Math books
Opposites matching cards
1st words cards
Days of the week chart
Calendar
Safety Scissors
Glue
Paints and brushes
Crayons
ABC cards
Numbers cards
And the list goes on.
Making the Process Fun
The best and most engaging way to learn is to make the process fun. I believe this is necessary for you and your child. Teaching your child especially if teaching is not your area of comfort can be a huge challenge. Choosing tools that are familiar to your child will engage him/her. Such tools include but are not limited to (whatever your child’s interests are) Disney themed princess, Toy Story, The Incredibles, Sesame Street, Dora, etc. There are many themed books at the dollar and .99 stores.
Computers are also excellent learning tools. In your child’s classroom computers will be a part of their learning process. Instructing your child on the proper use of the computer is beneficial. I have discovered a very thorough, fun and engaging program designed for kindergarten preparation. The program is free. The program teaches every area of ABC’s, sign language, numbers, basic word building, and beginning level reading. This is an excellent tool for individual learning as the computer instructs your child on where to go next and what to do. The results are amazing. This free program can be found at www.starfall.com
I have also discovered with my own daughter a solid way to teach the days of the week (each child is different so do not be discouraged if this does not work with your child). Each day of the week I attribute a major focus with it. For example Mondays we focus on math, Tuesdays we focus on music, Wednesdays we usually review and so on. Although each day of the week has a major focus I still included the core learning (ABC’s, penmanship, 123’s etc.).
I also discovered on www.pbs.org great programs that enforced education in which I did not concentrate on. Some of these programs are “The Dinosaur Train” and “Sid the Science Kid” (two excellent programs in science) and many other programs designed to educate.
Testing their Knowledge
Teaching your child is a process which moves from challenging to rewarding. The visual progress made by your child is a satisfying level of accomplishment for both of you. There are plenty of effortless and great ways to test your child’s knowledge of what he/she has learned. Books are excellent. Encourage your child to go through books, point out the alphabet and make its sound. This not only helps reinforce what they have learned but keeps them busy for a time.
The use of vocabulary is another excellent tool. I introduce four new words to my daughter each week. I explain the meaning of the words to her. I encourage her to use the words throughout the week. I reinforce the encouragement by a reward system. If she uses the new words I will give her stickers or little treats (which can all be purchased at the dollar and .99 stores). A guide of what words to use can be found on the starfall website.
Crystal Kelly - I love what I do. I enjoy bringing my interpretation and knowledge to you to be explored and commented upon. Enjoy
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