Below are some skills we will work on in the classroom.  It would also be helpful to practice these skills at home, as well, so your child will have fun learning and feel successful! 

 

*Self Help Skills:

     *zipping/unzipping coats and jackets

     *hanging up book bag and zipping/unzipping them

     *managing all toileting needs

     *opening snacks

 

*Name Identification

     *recognizing name at various places in the classroom (cubby, Question of the Day...)

     *practice orally identifying letters in first name

     *practice printing first name, (some suggestions: use finger paint, crayons, chalk, shaving cream, even pudding!)

 

*Letter Identification

     *practice singing and saying the alphabet

     *Tools of the Mind-Sound Map

     *we will concentrate on one letter a week with special stories, crafts, and activities

     *use flashcards and letter games to reinforce identification

 

*Number Identification

     *practice counting, how high?, as high as your child wants to go!

     *we will practice number identification, and counting everyday with calendar skills

     *we will practice and identify numbers, by playing Tools of the Mind math games-Number Count

     *use flashcards and number games to reinforce identification

 

*Shapes and Colors

     *look for shapes and colors all around, when you're driving in the car, shopping, eating, and playing

      *we will practice identifying shapes with Pattern Movement, Venger Shapes

    *match and compare shapes, use words such as:  same, different, bigger, smaller...

 

*Fine Motor Skills

     *we will color, cut, and glue with our many craft activities...

     *we will practice fine motor skills with Graphics Practice

     *practice cutting (cutting coupons is a fun challenge!)

     *color inside a specific shape

     *glue scrap paper to make a colorful picture (use a glue stick)

 

*Gross Motor Skills

     *singing and dancing will be a part of the daily activities, as well as, outside activities- whenever possible

     *practice running, skipping, hopping, jumping...have fun and get exhausted, then bedtime!

 

*Basic Skills

    *All About Me-practice phone number, address, birthday, age

    *follow directions

    *listen to short stories

     *being respectful and kind 

 

Keep in mind that school readiness is a combination of age, individual development, and experiences.  Each child develops at his/her own rate, but your involvement will promote readiness. Make any work that you do with your child positive, and emphasize the importance of school.  Let's build self esteem and confidence!  I look forward to working with all of the preschoolers and parents to have a successful school year!