At Bethany Christian Preschool, we believe children learn best through joyful experiences that allow them to Play, Nurture, and Grow. Summer learning at this age should feel natural, playful, and encouraging as children build confidence, independence, and readiness for the year ahead!
Practice taking turns during games and conversations.
Encourage your child to ask for help using words instead of frustration.
Give small responsibilities like cleaning up toys, putting away their laundry, or helping set the table.
Practice listening during short group activities like story time or church.
Help your child work through emotions with simple phrases like:
“Take a deep breath.”
“Use kind words.”
“Tell me how you feel.”
Encourage independent play for short periods of time.
Practice transitioning between activities without resistance.
Read together every day and ask questions about the story:
“What happened first?”
“How do you think the character feels?”
Sing the alphabet song often.
Point out letters in signs, books, and labels.
Practice recognizing and naming uppercase letters, especially the letters in your child’s name.
Encourage conversations using full sentences.
Learn fingerplays and nursery rhymes together.
Practice following simple two-step directions.
Build taller block towers.
Practice tracing thick lines, circles, and simple shapes.
Use crayons, markers, paintbrushes, and sidewalk chalk regularly.
String beads or pasta onto yarn.
Play with playdough by rolling snakes and making shapes.
Practice using child-safe scissors to cut along straight lines.
Complete simple interlocking puzzles together.
Jump with two feet together multiple times in a row.
Practice balancing on one foot.
Hop like a bunny on one foot.
Throw balls toward targets like buckets or chalk circles.
Catch large playground balls with two hands.
Walk along curbs, tape lines, or balance beams.
Dance, stretch, and move to music.
Count everyday objects together.
Sort toys by color, size, or shape.
Practice naming body parts during songs or play.
Encourage pretend play with dolls, puppets, kitchens, or dress-up clothes.
Talk about patterns, opposites, and simple problem-solving during play.
Read simple Bible stories together.
Practice short Bible verses as a family.
Encourage respectful behavior during prayer time and church.
Sing worship songs together in the car or at bedtime (click HERE for our Chapel worship playlist!).
Remind your child often that they are deeply loved by God.
Begin practicing school routines a few weeks before school starts.
Encourage your child to carry and put away their own belongings.
Help your child practice using words to solve small conflicts.
Limit screen time and increase hands-on play opportunities.
Celebrate effort and growth more than perfection.
Keep conversations about school positive, calm, and encouraging.
Students entering the PK3 program for the 2026-27 school year are required to be toilet independent by the first day of school in August 2026. If you have not started the potty training process yet, it is our desire to support your family through this process however we can!
Here are some things to know:
Toilet independent means children are in underwear, can vocalize that they need to use the restroom, can pull their pants and underwear down independently, will sit on the toilet, wipe, flush, and redress. This takes coaching and practice.
If your child is not already potty trained, the summer break coming up is a great time to begin this process at home!
Below are some resources that can help with the potty-training process!
One is a social story about going potty at school. The positive messaging helps teach the steps of the successful use of the bathroom. Read it with your child often and use the same language.
The second is a written collection of some of our favorite potty training tips.
You may also enjoy checking out the video featuring the 3-day potty training method based on an eBook by Laura Jensen.
I Can Go Potty at School! (1) (1).pdfPotty Training (2) (1) (1).pdf
PK 3 is so much fun! We cannot wait to meet you!
