How can you help?

Work with your child so that they can….
Say their ABC’s.
Count from 1 – 10.
Write his/her name.
Identify basic colors.
(red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black and white)

Identify basic shapes. (circle, square, rectangle, and triangle)
Zip, snap, and button his/her own clothes.
Knows nursery rhymes.
Identifies the front and back of a book.
Uses scissors appropriately.

Children naturally love to play and explore the world around them. Play is an important way that children develop the muscles and skills they will need when learning to read and write. Not only do they need strong bodies for proper posture, but also as a foundation for their arms, hands and fingers to properly develop. Plenty of practice is needed in using their hands so that when they are learning to use a pencil and scissors at school, their hands and fingers will be ready!

 

Here is a list of some activities which will encourage proper muscle development in your child.

Large Muscle Activities:
Bikes, scooters and wagon riding
Playgrounds- climbing, swinging, running, jumping
Swimming and water play
Walking, running, hiking
Snow play – sliding, skiing, building forts
Ball games – bouncing, catching, kicking, throwing
Dancing

Outside Chores
raking, sweeping, carrying wood, trash, or groceries, gardening, washing the car

Crafts
Cut and paste holiday decorations and cards
Origami
Painting, coloring and finger painting
Playdough and clay
Model building
Water/sand play
Stenciling
Stamp and ink pad pictures
Carpentry projects

Games
Pick up sticks
Operation
Blocks – Legos, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs
Jacks, marbles
Mazes, dot to dot
Paper dolls
Card games
Pegboard games
Lite Brite
Puzzles

Chores
Cooking – measuring, stirring, pouring, decorating
Dusting
Sorting cans or laundry
Watering plants
Wiping tables or counters