There is no one more enthusiastic about life than a preschool child. If you are the parent of one of these precious little ones, you are blessed. Helping children this age is a true joy because they are very eager to learn… probably some of the best students you will find anywhere. Here are some activities that you can incorporate into daily life that will allow your preschooler to excel in their education.
Writing Skills
All children are ready for school at a different age and you want them to learn at their own pace, but there are some basic skills that will help them when the time comes for them to print and write. Mazes are an excellent tool that helps them learn to make marks that are both curvy and straight. Encourage your child to draw a lot, and show them how to trace large letters. This will prepare them for when they have to use a pencil for smaller characters, as they will already have some practice following proper writing directions and strengthening their fine motor skills.
Math Skills
Use everyday situations to give your preschooler a head start in math. When you are at the grocery store, ask your little one to pick out six apples for you. Once they have mastered their basic numbers, you can make it more complex.
Your child can use tiny pieces of food such as gummy bears for addition and subtraction. Ask them to separate the gummy bears into different colors. Talk about how many of each there are, and what the total number is. Ask them to subtract one pile from the rest. These kinds of activities help them to understand the concrete principles of math.
Music
Every child thrives when exposed to music. Buy a few simple instruments for your children, such as tambourines and a recorder. Encourage them to use the instruments and make a tune, or shake the instrument to the beat of a song you play. This will help as they pursue any musical ambitions in the future, and will also help them with coordination.
Baking
Your preschooler will be a baker like no other. Most children have a love for cooking and enjoy experimenting. Use this time to work in concepts such as math when you measure, art when you combine colors for frosting, and letter recognition when you make letter-shaped cookies and other goodies.
Crafts
Little ones love crafts, and there are many age-appropriate activities for them to participate in. Preschoolers especially love using messy supplies such as glue, glitter, stickers, markers, and anything bright and catchy. Whether you are pasting shapes on construction paper or creating a unique ornament, your preschooler will be thrilled with any effort you put into the project. Keep it simple as it doesn’t take much to impress them.
Outdoor Activities
In a world where electronics dominate, it is important to keep your preschoolers active. This helps them with their gross motor skills, as well as bringing your child many health benefits. Your child’s physical, mental and emotional health will all be positively impacted as they run and jump. Try activities such as hopscotch, bicycling, skipping rope, and playing at the park.
Your little one is growing up. Now is the time to prepare them for what lies ahead. With all these ideas for preschool activities, there are sure to be at least a few winners. Contribute to your child’s preschool success with these fun activities.
