Parent Resources

5 LANGUAGE TIPS FOR PARENTS

Remember that children learn best through FUN!!

1. Read to your child: Spend time each day reading to your child. Discuss the title and title page, author and illustrator, and ask questions about the story. Encourage your child to point to the word as you read -- this helps to emphasize word recognition as well as left-to-right orientation.

2. Language in the kitchen: Take time when preparing meals and eating to point out what letter foods begin with and what sound the letter makes. (ex. Campbell Soup: point to the C and practice that sound)

3. Language in the car: License plates and road signs are great places to find letters and practice recognizing and giving each sound.

4. Language around the house: There are numerous items around the house to put to good language use! For example: say a word (tall) and have your child discover something in the house that rhymes with that word (wall). Another way to play is to say a word (tall) and have your child say the beginning sound and discover something in the house that begins with the same sound (table).

5. Language outside: Toss a ball or a bean bag with your child. As you toss---1. say a word and when your child catches have him give you the sound, 2. say a word and when your child catches have them give you a rhyming word, or 3. name a letter and as your child catches have them tell you the letter that comes before or after the letter you named.

WAYS to LEARN LETTERS and to MAKE WORDS

Write with:

• Cheerios
• M & Ms
• small marshmallows
• string licorice
• Jell-O (pour onto a paper plate and write with finger)
• alphabet cereal
• alphabet noodles
• stick pretzels

When the word is spelled correctly-let them eat the food!

or Try:

• markers
• computer
• clay (roll into long pieces and make letters)
• pipe cleaners (bend and make letters)
• glue (Write letters and then put yarn onto glue. After it dries they can rub their fingers over the letters again as they spell the word.)
• glue (sprinkle glitter over the glue)
• cut letters from construction paper (write letters on paper, cut them apart, mix them up, and then spell the word)
• magnetic letters
• letter stamps
• paint (finger paint or paint with a brush)

If they practice writing the words everyday using a different method it will be more fun and they will learn to spell the words correctly!

MATH TIPS FOR PARENTS

Sorting & Classifying

*Allow your child to help put away clean silverware, being sure to put each piece in its proper slot in the drawer.

*Allow your child to help you sort laundry before it is washed.

Counting by 1’s and 10’s

*Practice counting by 1's or 10’s as you go up and down steps, walk to or from the bus, or as you walk to the store from the car.

*Throw a ball with your child and take turns counting by 1’s or 10’s each time you catch the ball.

Ordinal Positions

*Ask your child to determine your ordinal position as you wait in line at the store or wait in line in your car at a light.

Number Recognition

*Go on a number search. Look for numbers on license plates, signs, in newspapers, magazines, on commercials, or on food containers.

Addition and Subtraction

*Join together groups of objects while you're in the car, at the grocery store, or enjoying a meal and tell how many there are all together. Take away objects and tell how many are left.

SOCIAL STUDIES TIPS FOR PARENTS

Economics

• Compare sizes of grocery items while shopping. Which cereal might be better for a large family?
• Choose an inexpensive item that your child would like to purchase. Have him or her contribute part of the money needed.
• Set up a "pay for work" price list. In addition to regular chores, children can earn extra money by choosing something from the list. Ex: take out trash- $.10, feed pet-$.05, clean out closet-$.50

Map Skills

• Make a treasure map for your child. Plot out an area in your yard and draw on paper including familiar landmarks such as bushes, fences, trees, etc. Place an "X" on the map where the treasure is located and see if your child can find it with map in hand.
• Familiarize your child with globes, road maps, mall layout maps, and aisle markers at the grocery store. Make a map of a small section of your street or neighborhood. Have your child draw in your home and neighbor's houses.

SCIENCE TIPS FOR PARENTS

Using Your Child's Senses

• Kindergarteners are learning to ask questions and experiment with the objects around them. Invite your child to take part in outside activities and carry out discussions about what your child observes and concludes. Encourage your child to use his/her senses to draw pictures and write about each experience.