You can encourage reading and writing by showing your child the power of print and helping him or her to make sense of it. Here are some things that you can do at home

• Make letter and number recognition FUN. Have your child form letters out of clay or play dough, circle letters in the newspaper or magazines, shape letters our of pipe cleaners or cut out words to make sentences.
• Ask your child to "read" symbols such as arrows, figures on restroom doors, etc.
• Ask your child to read signs for stop, speed limit, and railroad crossings.
• Review the alphabet and sight word flash cards.
• Give your child your 'junk mail' to open and "read" while you open your mail.
• Visit the library with your child and borrow books together.
• Give your child books and writing supplies as presents.
• Ask your child to write captions for family photos.  As your child dictates to you, write down the exact words.
• When writing letters or notes, give your child writing materials, too.
• Read to your child often!  Ask them questions about the story.  Ask them sequencing questions.  What did you like best about the story?
• Never underestimate the power of a good conversation each day with your child.
• Most importantly, let your child see you read and write everyday!

How to Choose a good book:

• Stories should be appropriate for the child's age level.
• Pictures should be clear with not too many objects on the page.
• The pictures should tell a story that makes sense without the printed words.
• Stories should be for pleasure and fun, but include educational books, too.
• Books should help add new words to the child's vocabulary.

Children need a chance to see numbers at work. Here are some things you can do at home to help your child:

•        Lay out a pile of pennies.  Count by 2's, 5's, 10's or 1's.
•        Practice addition/subtraction facts using flash cards.
•        Measure the length of objects using hands, feet, or household objects:  my bed is five hands long,
•        the table is six plates long, etc.
•        Play Dominos or other card games such as Skipbo or Uno.
•        Find various geometric shapes in your house: our door is a rectangle, our clock makes a circle,
•        etc.
•        Make a chart showing the time you do various things in your house.  Point out the times on an
•        analog clock as well as on a digital.
•        Divide your pizza, cookies and pies into equal parts:  Cut the pizza into halves, cut the pie into
•        fourths, etc.
•        Let your child help with dinner by reading and following recipes.
•        Help your child count the change you get back from a purchase.