Parents often want ideas for activities to help their child maintain the skills learned in school and help the young child develop well physically and mentally. It is important for parents to know the abilities young children need to be successful in school and life and what to work toward. Remember, children learn naturally through play.
What your preschooler should know
Children entering kindergarten are expected to identify some letters of the alphabet by name. They should be able to recognize all of the letters in their first name, and also be able to tell you how to spell it. Many children can write their name, but have no idea what the letters are called. Some children can spell their name, but can not recognize it in print. Hopefully, your preschooler is able to do both. To help your child learn how to spell his or her name, you can make up a song to the tune of BINGO or Wheels on the Bus, substituting the letters of your child’s name. Then point to the written letters as you sing it.
Pre-kindergarten kids at this time of year should be able to hear beginning sounds of words and identify words that start with the same sound, such as ball and bike, called alliteration. They should also be able to hear rhyming sounds, and tell you two or three words that rhyme together. In Math, kids should be able to count objects to 12 or more, recognize numerals to 10 or more, name shapes and make simple patterns.
In addition, it is important to help your child to work independently. You child should be able to put together a puzzle without talking to you, set a place setting at the table without getting distracted, draw a picture, or write his name without constantly looking to you for approval. A child at this age should be able to follow a two step direction without loosing focus.
Choose a right learning game for your preschooler
A high quality learning games for preschoolers can help your child prepare for school. If your preschooler has a specialized content area interest, you can help develop his or her knowledge and understanding by carefully choosing learning games that – while intended for older children – may have just what your child needs. Check out Educational Software, for example, for games about animals, geography, and other topics that teach kids information and then allow them to test their knowledge.
We have done some research and found out that ” Jumpstart Preschool Classic ” is one of the best learning game for preschool kids. It received most of five star reviews on Amazon.com.
Jumpstart Preschool Classic
It helps children leap into an early understanding of letters, numbers, shapes, and colors in a colorful classroom bursting with animation and song. In the game, Casey Cat, Kisha Koala, Eleanor the Elephant, and Pierre the Bear guide children through 10 irresistible interactive puzzles, games, and play areas, covering over 30 skills.
Skills Taught:
• Letters
• Phonics
• Pre-reading
• Numbers
• Counting
• Sequencing
• Spatial relationships
• Music
• Differences
• Listening skills
• Shapes
• Telling time
• Visual memory
• Deductive reasoning skills
Packed with twice the learning activities of most other educational programs, JumpStart Preschool has 10 irresistible interactive puzzles, games and play areas. It is a fun and educational software for kids age 2 to 4.
It is easy to use, fun and educational!
This learning game is very easy to use and it has a lot of singing which preschoolers really likes. It is so simple and teaches kids lots of basics. So parents do not need to be right beside your child to help .