MORE Ideas...Countdown to Kindergarten

Countdown to Kindergarten

This is an exciting time for both students and parents.  You play the most important role in getting your child off to a good start in kindergarten. Children love to learn. Be sure to give your child plenty of praise and encouragement without pressure. Remember that children learn best through "hands-on" activities and participation. Here are a few activities that you can do at home to help your child prepare for that First Day of Kindergarten.  Enjoy the journey together!

*I-Spy - This game can be done anywhere: the car, the dinner table, the park, the doctor's office and can be fun for all students.  You can "spy" for letters, beginning sounds, rhyming words, numbers, shapes, colors, etc.

*Rainbow Write - Have your child trace pre-written words many times using a different color.  REMEMBER to START YOUR LETTERS AT THE TOP!

*Environmental Print - Cut out and glue words that your child can read on a poster.  This includes popular logos, restaurant names, etc.

*Sorting and Patterning- These are valuable skills.  Be sure to have your child explain their reasoning.

*Name Puzzle - Cut out their name or important words and have our child put them in the correct order.

*Back Writing Letters and Numbers - Need some relaxing time...practice letters, numbers, or words by "writing" with your fingertips on someone's back and have them guess that you wrote.

*Concepts of Print - Show and tell how to use a book correctly, tracking from left to right and use your finger to point to the words as you read.  Spend time looking at the book to look for the title, how many words or letters on this page, where is the front of the book, and rhyming words.

*Create a book together.  Making books or writing a story even by drawing pictures helps your child practice reading, writing, listening and speaking. These are important skills for success in school.

*TALK to your child about what they see, what they do and what they are thinking about.

*READ, READ, READ - Set a good example by encouraging a love of stories and books!  AND visit the library!