MISSION,
Kan., Aug. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- (Family
Features) Starting kindergarten is a major milestone, one that sets
the stage for future learning. Ensuring children are well-equipped
to enter kindergarten sets them up for a successful school year in
the short term and academic career in the long term.
Kindergarten readiness encompasses a wide range of skills,
including academic, social and physical abilities. Yet while many
parents think of kindergarten as the formal start of their
children's learning, 90% of children's brain development occurs
during the first five years of life.
The brain is incredibly receptive during these formative years,
making it a critical time for children to receive exposure and
guidance in diverse areas. Enrolling them in a quality preschool or
pre-K program is one way you can ensure they're creating building
blocks for the future, but there are also steps you can take at
home.
Try implementing these simple habits, recommended by Primrose
Schools Chief Early Learning Officer Dr. Amy Jackson, into your family's day-to-day
routine:
- Read to your children daily to build early literacy
skills. This is a good habit to begin as early as infancy because
it promotes language development, literacy and understanding of
others. Make library trips and story times a special treat for
toddlers and encourage preschoolers to read to you by describing
what is happening in the pictures or making up their own stories.
Keep books in the car so you have a fun way to pass the time on
long trips or while waiting for appointments.
- Schedule playdates for social development. Once babies
are able to sit independently, they'll likely enjoy playdates. At
this age, playdates should be closely monitored since babies
explore with their hands and mouths. At ages 1 and 2, young
children tend to engage in parallel play rather than interacting,
but organizing small groups of toddlers can continue to promote
social development. Older toddlers enjoy more interactive play and
begin to learn concepts like sharing.
- Practice counting objects to 10 or more together.
It's easy to make "math talk" part of your everyday experience in
other ways, too. When reading a story, ask children to count the
objects on each page. When eating, encourage math connections by
having children count the items on their plates. Children can also
explore math through common toys and games, like shape sorters,
knob puzzles and nesting cups for infants and toddlers; and large
puzzles, sand or water tables and card games for preschoolers.
- Encourage physical activities like playing on the
playground. Play isn't just for entertainment; it's a building
block for healthy growth. It helps children learn from the world
around them and develop traits like generosity and honesty. Because
it helps children release their full range of emotions and has
therapeutic benefits, play also has positive effects on mental
health. In addition to supporting their social-emotional
well-being, children learn to navigate the world and practice motor
skills while at play.
- Establish routines at home. A structured school day is
filled with routines that provide familiarity and comfort. Routines
can serve similar benefits at home by helping children clearly
understand what is expected of them and when. A morning routine
makes it easy to check the boxes as you prepare for the day and
work to get out the door on time. An evening routine helps everyone
settle down and prepare for a good night's sleep.
- Encourage self-regulation and social skills.
Self-regulation is the ability to understand and manage your own
behavior and reactions, often displayed during actions like taking
turns, transitioning from one activity to another or cleaning up
for dinner. Social skills include interaction and communication
abilities like speech, body language and facial expressions, as
well as the ability to play with others and make friends. As a
parent, you can model these skills and play games that involve
taking turns and cooperation. Playdates also help facilitate
positive social experiences for children.
Learn more about preparing your child for success in
kindergarten and beyond at PrimroseSchools.com/education.
Michael French
mfrench@familyfeatures.com
1-888-824-3337
editors.familyfeatures.com
About Family Features Editorial Syndicate
A leading
source for high-quality food, lifestyle and home and garden
content, Family Features provides readers with topically and
seasonally relevant tips, takeaways, information, recipes, videos,
infographics and more. Find additional articles and information at
Culinary.net and eLivingToday.com.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/what-you-and-your-child-should-know-for-kindergarten-and-beyond-302218083.html
SOURCE Family Features Editorial Syndicate