Learning Fun 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, draw them in shaving cream (cleans glue right off your table :))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. This is also a good way to review letters of the alphabet by having your child find things with a certain letter or objects beginning with a certain letter.
*Ask your child to read signs for stop, speed limit, and railroad crossings.
*Review the alphabet and sight word flash cards.
* Look for sight words within books or circle them in magazines or newspapers.
*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.
*When your child draws something or makes something encourage them to talk about it or write about it and share it with you.
*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!
 
 
 
 

*Keeping good books on hand and reading you child daily is very important. Follow these tips for finding good books.

*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 items from home such as utensils, candy, toys etc..
*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 ,Uno, or Racco.
*Find various geometric shapes in your house or outdoors: 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.

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