Preschool is the start of your child?s academic journey. There are many benefits of preschool, like preparing your child for kindergarten, but it also allows your child to develop social and cognitive skills in a structured, yet creative, environment. But what does your preschooler do when they get home? Do they continue to learn and build different skills? As a parent, it?s part of your job to make sure your child continues learning at home.
If you were successful in choosing the best preschool for your child, then your child?s teachers should be active in communicating with you. This will allow you to know what they?re learning in school and how well your child is doing. It?s important to not only reiterate what your child learns in school, but also to focus on what they might be struggling with or what they?re interested in.
There are some basic materials you should have at home that will allow you to do a variety of activities with your child:
- Markers and crayons
- Pencils (both colored and for writing)
- A variety of papers
- Rulers, scissors, and glue
- Paints and paint brushes
- Number and letter flashcards
- Plenty of books of all genres
With some very basic supplies, it?s easy to come up with activities to do with your preschooler. Your child is going to want to play and do fun activities when they get home from school, so it?s important to have something planned that will keep them interested. Additionally, it?s important include your child in the planning process. Consider creating a special space in the house together designated to reading or allow your child to decorate the container you keep the activity supplies in. This will help get them excited when it comes time to do activities.
The activities you plan shouldn?t just be worksheets that they have to sit down and complete. It?s important to remember to keep them moving and active. Hands-on activities will allow your child to continue developing their motor skills and consider arranging play dates to help their social skills grow.
So whether it?s continuing learning activities over the summer, school breaks, or after school and on weekends, it?s important to continue stimulating your child?s mind and helping them to learn and grow.
