1. New word of the day
Introduce your preschooler to a new word each morning at breakfast and define it for him. Keep it simple by using synonyms for words you already know. Example: vehicle can be another word for car, truck, van, etc. Make a game of using the word as many times as possible each day. This is a fun way to build your child’s vocabulary.
2. Create a reading hideout
A large cardboard box can become anything your child wants it to be. Spend a fun-filled afternoon creating a reading hideout with your child. A miniature house, a castle or a cave are just a few possibilities. It doesn’t have to be fancy to catch your preschoolers! Large pieces of construction paper can be taped to the outside to represent stone or siding. Place a rug, some child-sized pillows or furniture, and some age-appropriate books inside. Be sure to design a skylight at the top of the box. Your child will spend many hours “reading” or playing in her special place.
3. Your own scrapbook
Scrapbooking is a fun way for children to develop their fine motor and categorization skills while creating carefully organized keepsakes that parents can cherish for years to come. Scrapbooking supplies are available at specialty stores and craft stores. Let your child choose a theme for their scrapbook. If you need ideas, suggest a birthday, holiday, or other special family event. Let him choose his own stickers, colors and accessories while explaining that certain symbols represent certain events. If she really insists on using a cake with lit candles in a Halloween scrapbook, let her! This is supposed to be fun, remember? Sort her family photos together and help her choose the ones that fit her theme.
4. Community Map
Show your child a map of your state or the US Using a large poster board, draw a map of your community and help your child mark your house, school, grocery store, and houses of relatives and friends. Children enjoy using colored stickers to represent familiar landmarks. Help him create a simple key for your map. New landmarks can be added as your child explores the community further.
5. Personal phone book
Buy or help your preschooler make her own phone book. You can list emergency numbers, like 911, as well as the numbers of your friends and grandparents. Provide a toy phone with realistic buttons so he can practice dialing and proper phone etiquette. Your reading hideout would be a nice quiet place to do this.
6. Bedtime Story Role Play
Preschoolers feel secure in routines, and as a result, parents often find themselves reading the same bedtime story night after night. Another result is that children often know stories by heart, even if they can’t read yet. Break up the monotony by having your child take over the speaking part of her favorite character. This gives them early practice in dramatic acting and makes bedtime a little more fun!
