Preschool classrooms are still filled with timeless, classic toys and activities that many of us enjoyed as children. The reason is straightforward: while the world around us has transformed, the way young brains develop has not. Studies show that children thrive and learn best through play, especially when they are happy, engaged, and at ease.
Board games and card games are excellent cooperative activities that teach children essential social-emotional skills, such as taking turns, sharing, and working together. Additionally, they support the development of working memory, math abilities, and fine motor skills.
Letters and Sounds
“Sharing books with your children at home not only fosters a love for reading but also supports their academic success,” says Susan Quinn, a reading specialist and elementary school teacher at Saint Brendan School in the Bronx, New York. Reading together creates a sense of connection and enjoyment while enhancing concentration, focus, and vocabulary.
The New Einstein’s Academy provides a cutting-edge program for young learners. Its curriculum focuses on empowering children through social interaction, play, creative exploration, discussion, and reflection. Recognized as one of the top preschools in Chicago, the academy offers a daily schedule filled with free play, hands-on learning, outdoor activities, and engaging educational experiences. Additionally, bi-monthly field trips enrich the children’s learning journey.
Starting with simpler books is always a good idea, as it helps them feel accomplished and encourages them to keep reading more.
Quinn explains that Dr. Seuss books, with their rhythmic patterns and simple vocabulary, are ideal for this age group. Children learn effectively through repetition, so reading their favorite books multiple times, asking questions, and encouraging them to say simple words out loud can be very beneficial. Throughout the day, involve them in recognizing words on street signs, advertisements, and screens, or challenge them to find common words in a magazine.
They will begin writing short, straightforward sentences like “The dog jumped high.” Create a special box or container at home stocked with writing supplies such as crayons, pencils, markers, paper, and notebooks, so your child can practice writing simple sentences about memorable activities or experiences from their day. Talk to them about what they’ve written and encourage them to read it aloud. Show your support by showcasing their work on the refrigerator or their bedroom wall.
At this stage, children will begin to recognize, write, arrange, and count objects up to the number 30. They will also be able to add and subtract small numbers (adding up to 10 or less and subtracting from 10 or less). This emphasis on addition and subtraction will continue through second grade.
Numbers and Counting
Encourage your kindergartner to find numbers 1 through 30 in magazines and newspapers. They can cut them out, glue them onto paper, and arrange them in the correct order. While traveling in the car or waiting in line, play the “What comes next?” game by giving them a number and asking what comes after it. At bedtime, have them count their stuffed animals and ask questions like, “How many dog books do you have? Can you count them quickly?” Then, remove two books and ask, “How many are left?” This interactive approach helps reinforce counting and number recognition.
- At this stage, children will begin to identify, write, arrange, and count objects up to the number 30.
- They will learn to add and subtract small numbers (adding up to 10 and subtracting from 10 or less). This emphasis on basic addition and subtraction will continue through second grade.
- Children will learn to recognize and describe basic shapes (such as circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles) and will practice sorting and classifying objects by color, size, and shape.
Assist your child in grasping the concept of time by mentioning the time during daily activities. Use and explain terms like morning, afternoon, evening, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Create a simple timeline together that illustrates a typical day, with pictures representing everyday events and the corresponding times written below each one.
Along with understanding time, 5- and 6-year-olds can also identify the four seasons. Create a weather calendar together to track changes in the weather and help your child learn how the seasons transition. Look for pictures that represent each season (such as colorful leaves, snow, or blooming flowers) and discuss what your child notices in them. Talk about the clothing you can both wear during each season to help them make connections between weather and attire.
