What is My Preschooler Learning About READING?

In the years before first grade, it is most important for children to learn that printed word stand for something real and print can help us discover new things.  Naming letters and their sounds is also important.  We help children with this as they are ready and interested.  Letter sounds are much more valuable to children after they understand that the words are telling a story.

Some ways to encourage children to learn to read include:

• Posting signs with pictures and words.  This helps children to connect printed words to real objects. (make sure they are at their eye level)
• Providing lots of books for preschoolers.  As you read with the children, run your fingers under the words.  This helps them learn that the words go from left to right.
• Having children dictate stories as we write down their thoughts.  This helps them learn that words are people’s ideas that are written down.
• Engaging children in activities related to the story, such as puppet shows, drawing pictures, or going on adventures. For example, after reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar, you might take them outside and search for caterpillars or butterflies.
• Reading the same stories over and over so that children can memorize parts of the story.  When children are familiar with stories, they often pretend to read the stories themselves or tell the story by looking at the pictures.
• Ask children “why?” and “what do you think?” questions when reading.  This helps children develop language and literacy skills as well as creativity and problem solving.

Reading is a great way to learn about new things, explore new places, have an adventure, recognize professions, identify diversity, and so much more.  Make your books come alive.  Remember, you are the one that can create magic with a book and your words.  You can extend reading through food and nutrition activities, dramatic play, and all the areas of your classroom.  Just remember to have more than one copy of a book.  Once you started reading it, the children will be more interested in the book. Another idea is to rotate different books, so when they are reintroduced to an area, it is a new item at that time.

We will learn more in upcoming blogs on how to make stories come alive….

Going to pick out a new book!!

 

More Painting Ideas

Painting with various medium is a great way to increase children’s eye-hand coordination. There are so many items you can use, be creative and just try your ideas.  Here are a few suggestions to get you started.  The possibilities with paint are unlimited.

Alphabet Block Prints

Using alphabet blocks with raised letters, dip in thick paint and press on manila paper.

Pine Needles

Dip the tips of the needles in white paint and stroke across black construction paper, or they can be dipped in colored paint and stroked on manila paper.

Fingertip Prints

Place a sponge on a plate and put paint over it.  The child then presses one finger at a time on the sponge and applies it to paper.

Colored Chalk

Here are two different methods for you to try.

1.  Child dips the end of the chalk in water and then applies it to manila paper.
2.  Child immerses manila paper into a pan of water and removes it immediately.  Dry  colored chalk is then used.

Ice Cubes

Start by placing a blog of thick paint on manila paper or finger paint paper.  Have children push the paint across the paper with an ice cube.  A paper napkin or paper toweling may be wrapped on the top of the ice cube to make it less cold for little hands.

Sports Ball Prints

Using golf, tennis, ping-pong balls, etc. dip them in thick paint and printed or stroke over manila paper.

Painting with Toy Cars

The wheels of the car are dipped in tempera paint that is mixed with liquid starch.  The car is then wheeled over manila or other paper.

Potato Prints

Cut potatoes in half and carve a shape on them.  Instruct your child to dip a half-potato into thick paint and press it on manila paper.

Fruit Prints

Using two apples, the first is cut in half from top to bottom; the second is cut in half around the middle.  Let the child dip an apple-half into thick paint and press it on manila paper.