As children embark on their educational journey, the significance of healthy social development becomes even more pronounced. Social development encompasses a child's capacity to engage with others and regulate their own conduct. Children need to develop social skills beyond simply growing in age. It includes having meaningful connections with others and a good sense of conduct. Social development helps children build relationships, set boundaries, and adapt to different situations. This ability also involves communication, resolving conflicts, sharing emotions, showing compassion, and adapting to environments. To help children grow, focusing on their physical, emotional, and social growth is important as they age. Identifying these milestones in young children can prove challenging for those unfamiliar. To assist you, we have outlined some of these markers and certain warning signs. Why Social Skills Are ImportantThe importance of social skills in a child's growth and progress cannot be overstated. For each stage of a child's development, different milestones focus on teaching them social skills. Research shows that they may suffer in various ways without a strong foundation in social skills during their early years. They may struggle to make friends, have difficulty in school, experience feelings of loneliness, and, in severe cases, might suffer some behavioral issues. That's why it's so essential to nurture children's social skills at an early age. By observing their social skills, we can track a child's development. These skills cover everything from sharing, communicating, and cooperating to developing interpersonal boundaries, understanding instructions, and making eye contact. These skills are an integral part of a child's life that should not be forgotten. Social Skills And Early Childhood DevelopmentDuring early childhood, social signals become more evident. Stages of development include babies mastering gross motor skills as they learn to turn and crawl. As toddlers progress in language and fine motor skills, they demonstrate abilities like drawing and picking up small objects. While each child develops at their own rate, certain milestones are expected amongst age groups, such as learning to wave "bye-bye" when they reach 12 months or the capacity to self-feed before they turn two. During these stages of their young lives, children turn from cute little rolling bundles to confident individuals who delve into the world, exploring each new adventure with excitement and curiosity. They also tend to imitate others, especially older children and adults. They take pleasure in engaging with their peers and feel a sense of excitement when they encounter other children. Additionally, they exhibit behaviors that contradict the instructions, and that’s part of testing, exploring, and expecting reactions. Although the "terrible twos" phase is notorious for triggering mischievous behavior, they begin to assert their independence to some extent as children approach the age of three. They are capable of experiencing a wide range of emotions, including empathy and affection towards their friends. At this stage, they can also express frustration when faced with disruptions to their daily routine. Between the ages of three and four, children derive pleasure from engaging in new activities. They display enhanced creativity during playtime and exhibit a keen interest in assuming the roles of parents. However, their comprehension of the make-believe concept still needs improvement. Children at this age can collaborate with their peers and express their preferences. Children between the ages of three and five strive to please their friends and imitate their behavior. They are more inclined to adhere to rules and demonstrate a growing sense of independence. In certain circumstances, they may become assertive and demanding. Additionally, children at this stage possess an awareness of their gender and derive enjoyment from singing and dancing. They now grasp the notion of make-believe. How To Help Promote The Development Of Social Skills In ChildrenStrong social skills are important for children to facilitate meaningful interactions in everyday life. To help young adults foster and develop their social skills, caretakers, parents, and teachers must take time and consistently impart this knowledge. Understanding the subtle bonuses that come with mindful behavior, such as talking with courtesy, listening, and being respectful and mindful of the people and environment around them, are key components adults in the child’s life need to stress. In addition, teaching by example and actively showing the applicable behaviors to the child is essential to their social development. By helping them to distinguish right from wrong and developing confidence in communication, adults can promote a future of socially sharpened minds. Regular practice establishing strong interpersonal relationships and working out simple relationship problems will enable the child to interact socially with a higher potential for success overall. It Starts With You Set an example! Demonstrating appropriate behavior is one of the finest ways to convey the significance of social skills to children. When socializing, show good etiquette by verbalizing phrases such as "please" and "thank you." Speak courteously, naturally inspiring the child to follow in your footsteps. Furthermore, firmly remind the child when polite language is significant and encourage feedback through fun activities to enable positive approaches when frustration arises. The Power Of Positive Reinforcement Praising and providing positive reinforcement is a strategy that has proven effective when trying to motivate children to cultivate their social skills. By being explicit with words of appreciation, such as "I appreciate when you share your toys" or “I appreciate when you say thank you,” the child will better understand every time they follow the rules successfully. Communicating pleasantly but firmly when assigning tasks and immediately praising them for their compliance allows the child to develop the necessary skills and regulate their behavior. Stick with this approach, and you should gradually see an improvement in cooperation! Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool with many advantages, and when used appropriately, can help foster better learning and development. Try Pretend Play Pretend play offers children a special opportunity to hone their communication skills in a fun and interactive setting with their peers. Collaboration is encouraged as children take on different roles and negotiate different aspects of imaginative play. This allows them to communicate their ideas and opinions in various ways. Through pretend play, young minds explore a world of adventure while learning how to communicate, making playtime a valuable teaching tool. Children can further develop their communication skills among peers as they interact cross-verbally and nonverbally. Whether with custom dialogue, improvisation, or exaggerated mannerisms, children navigate dynamic social interactions through verbal and nonverbal communication. Pretend play is one of the best ways to foster their social and emotional intelligence. Emotional Regulation The importance of equipping children with the means to regulate their emotions and comprehend those of others cannot be overstated. One approach is to open up a dialogue where the child can express their emotions and how best to manage them. During these conversations, guiding them in recognizing and interpreting the feelings of those around them is beneficial. This will play a crucial role in helping children better understand their own emotions and foster empathy for individuals in their environment. Using praised-based reinforcement is a strategy that can be used in establishing clear guidelines and exhibiting desirable approaches so that individuals can create better relationships throughout their lives. Your TakeawaysWith each new milestone that’s conquered, our children and their environment are transformed, implementing the skills they recently achieved.
To help them along their journey of discovery, it is vital to provide a safe and stimulating atmosphere to foster early childhood development successfully. Therefore, it is important for parents and caregivers to offer unconditional love and understanding while also providing guidance and experiences that teach valuable lessons. Taking a proactive role in their child’s first years can ensure that kids are well-prepared to tackle life’s toughest challenges with resiliency, confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and so much more! Contact us if you have any questions.
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Developing good reading habits in kids is essential for their cognitive, social, and emotional development. Studies have shown that kids who read regularly have better language skills, are more academically successful, and have higher emotional intelligence. Therefore, it is essential to start with good reading habits early enough before kids enter kindergarten. From creating positive reinforcement techniques to carving out regular daily reading time together, there are plenty of opportunities to cultivate healthy reading habits in children that will last them a lifetime. Read on for 4 tips that parents can use to encourage early readers! Take Time To Read DailyOne of the best ways to nurture good reading habits in young preschoolers is to start as early as possible. Make reading a routine in your child’s day by sharing a book with them before bedtime or any part of the day that works for you. This practice can help develop a positive association with reading, which can become a lifelong habit. If you establish a reading habit before bedtime, reading can be soothing and help prepare young children to unwind and sleep. Pick A Quiet Space To ReadCreating a reading space at home can help your child connect reading with coziness and comfort. Your reading space doesn’t have to be big or have a lot of bookshelves. It can be a corner of your kid’s bedroom or an area of the couch. No matter what you decide that place to be, pick a comfortable spot that has enough light and room to keep a book or two that kids can choose from. This designated space in your home will signal to your child that reading is a cherished activity in your household. Visit The LibraryAs your young child ages, the library is an excellent resource for exploring new books and authors for free and cutting off from external distractions such as TV, video games, and smartphones. Many libraries also have story hours or other literacy programs for young kids. Take your child to the library regularly and let them explore the shelves and choose books that spark their interest. It will also help them to pick different types of literature, like fiction and non-fiction books. Library trips create a sense of excitement and adventure around reading. Set A Positive ExampleKids learn from what they observe, and you can set a good example by reading in front of them. Let your child see you reading, whether you love books, magazines, or graphic novels. It will also reduce your screen time and dependency on your smartphone. Take the time to discuss the books you read and share your enthusiasm about them. It's also essential to ensure your child sees you reading diverse materials. Your TakeawaysDeveloping good reading habits in kids is essential for their overall growth and development.
Encouraging reading from an early age can help your child establish a love for books that will last a lifetime. Creating positive reinforcement techniques such as daily reading routines, creating reading spaces, and visiting the library regularly can help foster good reading habits. As a parent, leading by example, making reading a routine, and minimizing screen time can positively impact your child's literacy skills. With these four simple strategies, you can help your child develop a lifelong passion for reading. Do not hesitate to contact our team for more information.
While it may seem like reading is something that happens naturally after kindergarten, the truth is that it's a complex process that requires a bit of teaching. To help your children learn, it's essential to focus on phonics and phonemic awareness, letter and sight word recognition. Fortunately, building these skills is fairly simple and easy to follow, so you can make the whole experience positive and rewarding for everyone involved. Use these tried-and-true strategies to help your little ones unlock the joys of reading! Read on for tips on equipping your little one with the building blocks needed to become an engaged, confident reader. Here Are Simple Steps to Teach Your Young Child ReadGood news: You can try many fun and simple strategies at home! You can help your little one become a reading superstar with a little effort and creativity. Here’s what you can focus on:
Reading is a skill that can be developed and refined over time, but it requires more than just the ability to recognize words on a page. To truly excel as a young reader in kindergarten and first grade, it's essential to employ various mental strategies that help you engage with the material and retain essential information. Everything starts before kindergarten by implementing some healthy reading habits. So take the time at home or find a daycare focusing on academics. It is a crucial part of this process, as it enables you to build the mental agility and focus needed to tackle even the simplest texts as they become more complex. Create The Right Environment to ExploreAdding some prints to your walls at home is a powerful tool to help build your child's reading skills. Printed letters, numbers, and words displayed prominently in your child's surroundings can encourage them to see and understand the connections between sounds and letters. The great thing about creating a reading environment is that you do not need to be stuck at home. When running out for errands, try to make a game of pointing out letters on posters, billboards, and signs. That’s part of the environment, too! This small exercise can help your child's mental training by getting them to focus intensely on identifying letters, sounds, and syllables. You can even model sounding out letters to make words, asking your child to focus on the first letter in a word and test their skills by asking what other word starts with that sound or rhymes with that word. These small interactions build up over time to create a lifelong love of reading and language. No matter what you do to create that reading environment, remember that young children learn better when they have fun, and no one ever established that reading should be boring. Reading is fun. Letters, Words, and Sounds RecognitionSimply cut out cards with three-sound words like "Sam," "can," or “pig,” and have your child pick one. Together, read the word and hold up three fingers. Then, ask them to identify the first, second, and third sounds and then repeat the word. This interactive game is a great way to help them sound out words and develop essential phonics and decoding skills. Plus, it requires minimal preparation time, and you do not have to spend hundreds of dollars! And if your kiddo is just starting to learn the alphabet, focus on sounds over letter names. If you consistently work with them every day, you will see their reading ability soar! Identify Sight WordsSight words play a pivotal role in learning to read. In our language, there are 100 commonly used sight words that many young children can focus on if they are about to enter pre-Kindergarten and beyond. Known as "sight words" due to their propensity for immediate recognition when seen, the majority are only one or two syllables. They are some of the most commonly used words in the English language. Here are examples of sight words:
Incorporated as part of any reading strategy for learning, focusing on these provide kids with an increased sense of comfort alongside other forms of vocabulary acquisition. Consequently, if your child is almost entering pre-K, why not use this great opportunity to teach some sight words gradually? This way, they can start their elementary school journey well by firmly understanding the basics early on! Memorize New VocabularyUsing new vocabulary words is the best way to become familiar with them. There are many fun and interesting activities you can do at home or in the classroom to help facilitate a great understanding of the language:
Explore Reading ComprehensionAs we’ve seen before, reading to your child is about teaching them to sound out words, build more vocabulary, and it's also an opportunity to improve their comprehension skills. Reading comprehension allows them to make sense of written words, build their vocabularies, and develop strong comprehension skills. However, parents shouldn't neglect the importance of engagement while reading to kids. Provide opportunities for your child to soak up the words; ask questions about the story or pictures. For example, little kids may benefit when you point out details and ask questions about shapes or colors. At the same time, older children may enjoy conversations around the motivations of characters or plot points. Reading with your little ones is no small task; it requires patience, but it sets them substantially ahead in terms of success and ability. Together time with a book fosters a profound love for reading more than any other activity you could offer. Improve FluencyReading regularly is one of the best ways to help your child become a confident and successful reader, as it helps them build confidence and increase their fluency. What is fluency? The ability to read with speed, accuracy, and expression is crucial for understanding written texts. Regular interaction with books and learning materials allows your child to gain this essential skill! However, everyone learns in different ways and at their own pace. It also follows your child’s natural cognitive development. So, be patient. Remember to make it fun – mix things up with different activities, such as having them choose their own books every now and then. But don't expect instant results! Becoming a fluent reader takes time and practice. Remember to Keep It Fun!The best way to ensure mastery of this essential skill is to make it enjoyable. By incorporating fun elements into their lessons and reading materials, young learners are more likely to take to the subject matter more willingly and actively like it.
Work in interactive activities that may update old learning conventions with new tools such as flashcards, ebooks, and online libraries. This will add novelty without compromising instruction. Help kids build up their vocabulary by playing word games or even creating mnemonics whenever possible; presenting content in entertaining formats like drawings, adventures, or hiding stories within stories could also go a long way in making it palatable for children who would otherwise feel inadequate and frustrated during their journey for knowledge. Contact us if you need help.
Role-playing is an essential part of learning that helps children develop emotional, physical and communication skills. By role-playing in occupations such as doctors, police officers, shopkeepers, or teachers, kids learn empathy while imagining themselves superheroes with magical powers, which encourages them to distinguish between good and bad behavior. Additionally, reenacting real-life scenarios enables their understanding of the world and develops motor coordination and how they communicate. In other words: Role play promotes a fun and educational way for young ones! Why is Role Play EssentialNurturing creativity and imagination early is essential for children's development. Research finds that activities such as role-playing support cognitive flexibility, problem-solving skills, and the ability to think outside the box - all essential life skills needed later in adulthood when it comes to reading books or empathizing with others' points of view. Learning How to SpeakLearning the language can be fun and engaging for kids, especially when they step into their favorite characters' shoes! Role-playing activities give young minds an opportunity to practice newly acquired words. Doing so encourages children by building confidence in communication and helping them become more articulate speakers. Moreover, these learned skills will form strong foundations early on, aiding with reading and writing ability later on. It’s About ExperimentationRole play allows kids to explore new worlds of imagination, experimenting with concepts such as empathy and self-control. It is also ideal for children to learn how to resolve conflicts in a safe environment. By negotiating roles together, they practice teamwork and communication that will inform their behavior even later in life! It Focuses on Motor SkillsWatching children participate in role-playing activities is incredibly rewarding for parents and guardians. It creates an imaginative world of possibility, and such play supports the development of physical capabilities. Kids use their motor skills when they move around quickly to complete missions or practice eye-hand coordination while performing surgery on their teddy bear! You Can Be Part of ItCreating a magical world for your children to explore through role-play is easy. All you need is to designate an area in the home or backyard and stock it with all sorts of exciting items like stuffed animals, costumes, and props. You do not need to break the bank to role-play with your child. Therefore, keep it simple because all that matters is imagination. Get into character yourself to encourage their fun - read stories aloud in a cheerful voice while adding unexpected twists said by open-ended questions! And most importantly - Let them take the lead. Leave the position of parent and follow where they'll go as together you create new realms full of imaginative playtime adventures every night at bedtime! Your Takeaways Role-playing is an important activity for children that helps them develop various skills. Kids learn empathy, distinguishing right and wrong, and basic motor coordination and communication skills through role-playing. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of role-playing or other educational activities for your child, reach out to our team or leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
Healthy eating is a mix of good habits and little tricks that can make a world of difference. The most important aspect is to be consistent and create rituals for habits to stick in time. Read on if you do not want to scream, “eat your broccoli!” until they leave for college. Healthy Eating Starts With YouSure, life can be busy sometimes. How often did you have to run errands, complete something urgent at work, pick up the kids, drive kids to sports practices, and try to fit everything in a twenty-four-hour day? Let’s be honest; family schedules can be extremely tight, leaving little space for cooking or even sitting down, let alone eating at regular times. Yet, young children like rituals and predictability. The truth is that establishing healthy eating habits starts with you and the control you have over schedules. Eating at regular times and taking the time to sit down around a table as a family is the first step. Remember that you are your child’s most important reference, and your toddler or preschooler will mimic everything you do. If your child sees that you are putting a lot of attention and emphasis on eating at regular hours and that meals are ritualized, they will adopt your approach. The same thing goes for the food you eat. If you do not eat fruits and vegetables and all you have is on-the-go convenience foods and snacking chips and candy all the time, your child will simply follow your lead. So, establishing a solid role model base is essential. Always try to think about the message you want to send across. It will be challenging to convince your child if your meal plans are nutritionally imbalanced most of the time. In other words, lead by example and establish healthy food habits as a family value. Then Healthy Eating Trickles DownIf being a role model is very important, involving your kids in adopting a lifestyle is the next step. The good news is that young children are naturally curious, and nothing is easier than involving a young child. Try to engage with your young child. Have your kid help shop for food at your local store, help set the table for dinner, or mix ingredients. In other words, involve them in the process with safe, age-appropriate tasks. If they go to daycare or preschool, get them to choose between what to eat for their snack and lunch. For instance, give a choice between strawberries and apples. Kids love to decide, and it also helps them become independent thinkers and make healthy choices for themselves. Things like healthy eating become habits that will last a lifetime if you persist and show consistency. That said, do not fall into extremes or create anxiety and turn food and nutrition into a conflict or perpetual negotiation. Maintain A Healthy Mindset and LifestyleOne thing is for sure, expect a lot of resistance and crisis from your kiddo once you shift to eating healthy. Moving from frequent burgers, fries, mac’n’cheese, and pizza to balanced healthy meals with vegetables and proteins will not be welcomed, and there is nothing abnormal about getting some pushback. Adjusting your mindset, lifestyle, and approach to eating healthy is a pathway to better living. But that pathway is not smooth if it involves profound changes. There will be a time of adjustment for sure. That said, keeping in sight your family and life goals of eating healthy will help you achieve these goals with consistency. Here are a few points that may help you achieve these goals:
Your TakeawaysAs per the CDC, in 2019-2020, “[...] the prevalence of obesity was 19.7% and affected about 14.7 million children and adolescents [...] Obesity prevalence was 12.7% among 2- to 5-year-olds” It means that healthy eating of nutritious food should start as early as possible, and there is a pivotal role that you can play as a parent. Remember that the development of the human brain requires all essential nutrients to form and maintain its structure, and infants’ and young children’s cognitive development depends on adequate nutrition. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to our team.
Hence, preparing your preschooler for the smoothest transition possible is essential, and that preparation should happen as early as possible. If your child is in Pre-K this year, take that transitional year to prepare them. Here are some tips to help you out. Establish Strong RoutinesEstablishing strong routines and frameworks at home helps children feel safe and in control of their environment. Therefore, creating family rituals and keeping kids on your planned schedule is essential. It does not always need to be perfect because we all know that life happens to anyone, and sometimes things derail a bit. That said, strive to stick to your schedule, routines, and rituals as much as possible. Discussion Routines Pre-k is the perfect time to prepare your child to talk about what happened at school. It will help you learn about what happened during the day and emphasize that you are interested in what they did inside and outside the classroom. Most importantly, you show that talking together and sharing is important and that school is a part of that too. You will notice that your child will be more inclined to open up and share their feelings. Do not expect your preschooler to respond in great detail to a generic “how was your day?” Try to engage in a series of questions about what they did, what was their favorite activity, ask what they played with, or if they have made new friends. Multiply the questions but do not become an examinator. Also, share what you did to show that a conversation is not a one-way activity but an opportunity to inform and share. Hygiene Routines A day is filled with opportunities to learn, become independent, and help the family. You can build routines around taking shoes off and washing hands when your child returns home. Washing hands becomes particularly important during the colder seasons when flu, stomach bugs, and other viruses are circulating. Re-emphasizing good hygiene rules can help protect your family. Reading and Math Routines Pre-k is an excellent time to establish some routines around reading and math:
These activities are typically what your child will do during kindergarten. Therefore, take some time every day to work together and establish a ritual. Meal Routines Take the time to prepare a meal together and involve your child in the process. Have them churn or sprinkle something, smell and taste what you prepare, or ask them to set the table. In other words, transform a chore into a moment of sharing and fun. Preparing and sharing a healthy meal is an opportunity to spend time together and strengthen relationships. Remember that enjoying a moment around the table without phones, TV, or tablets is as crucial as developing healthy eating habits. If your child sees that they have your full attention, they will feel valued. Bedtime Routines Keep consistent bedtime routines and rituals. Planning is necessary to maintain that schedule if your child goes to bed around 8:00 PM. Make sure to account for the time to bathe, brush their teeth, go to the bathroom, and read a story or two before switching off the lights. Take the opportunity to dim the lights and calm down. Avoid using electronics, roughhousing, or playing games that will keep them excited. Visit The Future SchoolTransitioning from one school to another is never easy and is often a source of anxiety and stress. Therefore, to alleviate that stress, you may want to drive past the future school and show their future school. It can help them get more comfortable with the idea of going to kindergarten. Usually, the great thing about drive-bys is that they trigger a lot of questions in the car. So, it is an opportunity to answer all questions about their future new environment. Another great way to prepare your child is to contact the elementary school director and ask to meet or visit the new school. Although school cultures, rules, and policies are sometimes different, and directors may not be open to welcoming future students outside the traditional open door or back-to-school days, some are and will accept to meet your family and show you around. Take the opportunity to learn more about the curriculum to help you prepare for what’s coming next. Do Not Brush off Their FeelingsAcknowledging your child’s feelings can go a long way to alleviate fears and stress and stop tears. Sharing and talking together can help your child express their feelings and release the pressure from the perspective of starting kindergarten. Words can help them move on. Therefore, listen and use words cautiously. You may be inclined to brush off their feelings to help them with a generic “don’t worry; it’s going to be ok,” trying to calm them down or help them cope with stress. Unfortunately, most of the time, it will stop any communication. Instead, acknowledge their fear or anxiety: “You will go to kindergarten, and you are scared,” and follow with questions to understand why. That type of acknowledgment helps the conversation to unfold. Practicing this form of communication as part of your family’s culture will help your child develop socio-emotional skills. Sure, we are all tempted to encourage with overly positive praise when sometimes all your child needs is being heard, understood, and supported. Your TakeawaysPreparing for kindergarten takes months of preparation on the academic and wellness side. Therefore, if your child goes to preschool this year, take that time to prepare and introduce changes progressively, keeping in mind the upcoming transition.
If you need support, engage with your current preschool teacher or director, or if you need to find a preschool to get your child on a good path, contact our team at Willowdale Children’s Academy.
Sometimes, your child will need extra support to master a concept, and every child reacts differently to new challenges, which is perfectly normal. Therefore, one of the essential aspects of teaching math is creating a positive learning environment where young students feel comfortable, engaged, and motivated. Four concepts can help you teach math outside the preschool classroom. Teach Math in a Fun and Engaging WayYoung children learn best when they play. If you want to teach math to your child, remember that concept because it has been around for decades and promoted by the N.A.E.Y.C. Hence, use their natural inclination to play and discover through play to teach age-appropriate math concepts. Using games can help you naturally stimulate young learners to solve problems. One crucial point is to keep games short and multiply different games to help young learners acquire new skills. One of the most important aspects is to keep games appropriately challenging as your child progresses and starts mastering new skills. Remember that there is no fun when a game is too easy or complicated. Therefore, working through some level of challenge keeps games fun and engaging. So, try to evaluate and adjust the game to the right level; that is simple enough to be engaging and challenging enough to be fun. Games will help ease young children into math concepts without creating stress, fear, or sadness. Again, a play-based approach and a positive learning environment can help your young learners progress. Make Kids Think DifferentlyIt’s emotionally hard to see young children struggle, especially when you are the parent of a child starting with math. Therefore, it is not uncommon to witness parents’ natural inclination to promptly give answers to their children when they perceive that they are stuck and cannot immediately find the solution to a math question. Unfortunately, this will not help your child solve a problem when all they need is simply some more time and another chance to rethink before finding the correct answer. Therefore, we always encourage parents to refrain from answering immediately. Consider that if you answer, you eliminate the challenge for your child. Without an age-appropriate challenge, there is no learning possible. Instead, try to ask open-ended questions. Help your child rethink the problem and avoid the frustration of being blocked and not knowing the answer. Sometimes, asking different questions helps trigger new reflections and responses. If, after two or three questions, your child has not found the answer, then give them some hints or guidance:
Helping them to think differently is a foundation of problem-solving. There is nothing wrong with trial and error when practicing math. Remember your high school years; it takes practice, repetition, and patience to understand math and get it right. The same principles apply to your young learner. The most important thing is to keep the activity fun and engaging and avoid frustration. Repetition is EssentialRepeating will help your child become more fluent and comfortable with math concepts and improve self-confidence and independence. Playing the same game may sound boring and unfun for adults. But young children love to manipulate objects and concepts over and over. It helps them progressively acquire new skills to reach new milestones in their cognitive development. Rest assured that if your child gets bored and does not want to play the same game, they will move on naturally to something else. Ultimately, if they have learned what they had to, they will be ready to learn something new, and if they have reached their limit, they will do something else. Give A Meaningful FeedbackIf your child demonstrates progress or mastery of a math concept, give them positive feedback. It does not mean to praise with a vain and superficial “good job, you did it” but rather appreciate the effort or attitude.
In other words, explain what you like about your child working on a math problem instead of the result. We do not suggest offering an empty positive reinforcement for the sake of it. Your feedback is an opportunity to acknowledge an effort and establish that struggling is okay and natural, but the right attitude can make a difference. When math becomes more complex during your child’s school years, being equipped with the right mindset will help them during challenging times. Your TakeawaysIf you want to teach math outside the preschool classroom, you have a unique opportunity to help your child progress and acquire new skills. Remember that math is essential in developing logical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Therefore, keep it fun to make it exciting and attractive and avoid unnecessary frustrations and anxiety, especially with young children. Keep in mind our strategies:
If you are unsure how to teach math and need to prepare your child for kindergarten, please reach out to our team.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education clearly emphasizes communication skills with speaking and listening skills as standards. Hence, it is essential to introduce methods early to develop speaking and listening skills, and Show and Tell is perfect for getting your little learner started as early as possible. That said, it is essential to keep Show and Tell at an age-appropriate level for young children and encourage and guide them to engage in the activity. Parental and teacher support is the keystone to helping children enjoy that fun activity that enriches their knowledge and skills. What is Show and Tell?Show and Tell allows young children to stand in front of their friends and speak about a topic, object, or person they love. Show and Tell can be about your child’s favorite toy or story, the class pet, or the introduction of a mystery reader. There are many topics to choose from. So, a bit of reflection is involved, choice to make, and preparation to organize thoughts. Therefore, when parents know that they need to bring something to school for Show and Tell, it is better to prepare with your child beforehand slightly. Take this as an opportunity to learn and exchange and make it an enjoyable moment. Ultimately, it helps build confidence and develop effective communication skills that will last a lifetime. Show and Tell is not an interview for a job application. Set the right age-appropriate expectations without adding unnecessary stress. Therefore, do not expect your child to stand up in front of you and make a speech like a professional orator. Instead, create a non-judgmental environment where your child feels well and is encouraged to share. Remember that regular practice can make it easier, and natural cognitive development also happens. During Show and Tell, ask questions and get interested in what the child has to say. The most important thing is to keep it conversational to help your young learner acquire skills and keep their attention and focus progressively. Remember that the younger the learner, the shorter their attention span. Why is Show and Tell Great? |
