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photo credit: emrank

Pre K Learning Games

There are many different learning games and activities you can do with your child to prepare them for kindergarten.  More and more is expected of kids when they get to Kindergarten.  So exposing them to some basic things  like letters, numbers, stories, shapes etc will better prepare them for kindergarten.  Below are some fun pre k learning games and activities you can try.

• Play word Bingo, or Letter bingo- Make bingo cards with letters (or words – depending on the level of your child’s knowledge, there is a word bingo game I made on Toddler Craft) and then make letter cards and use change to mark your letters when the letter is called.  This is a great way to reinforce the letters, and it’s fun!
• Make a matching game with shapes on index cards.  Have your child match the shapes- squares, circles etc.  Pointing out the shape when you find it.  Another ideas is to color the shapes and then have the child name the shape and color and finding the matching shape and color.
• Read with your child, pointing to words as you read.  This way they start to see how you read left to right and get exposure to the idea of reading.  Show them the pictures and ask them what they think will happen next.  At the end of the story ask them to retell you the story you read.
• Get dot to dot books, with numbers and letters (starting with simple 1-10 ones ).
• Try to find all the number 3’s in the house, or a book. Then pick a different number or a letter.
• Whenever you have the opportunity ask your child to count with you, count going upstairs, count the number of apples you bought, the number of black trucks you can find etc.
• Work with them on spelling their name, use dots or help hold their hand.  Have them try to write their name on any work they create.
• Point out letters and letter sounds when you have the opportunity.  For example, Penguin, that’s a P word (saying the sound of the P) what letter makes the P sound?

There are so many things you can do to create fun Pre K learning Games, these are a handful to try to incorporate.

What games do you enjoy playing with your preschooler?

photo credit: brownpau

If you’ve spent any educational time at all with your 3 to 4 year old, you may have already been playing pre k learning games without even thinking of it.  The only trick to making up games is thinking like a child and breaking down bigger tasks into smaller learning parts.

Make a point of talking about whatever it is that you are doing.  Ask your child, “Do you see the prickly pinecone?” when you are taking a walk.  Pick it up and put it in your pocket.  Do this with other things throughout the week.  Then one time, put these items into a bag and then have them reach in and, without looking, try to identify the items by feel.

Teach them how to follow directions by playing a game of Go Find.  Ask them to go find the sewing box in the spare bedroom.  This will teach them to pay attention to what and where.  Next, try to get them to do more complicated instructions like, “Bring me the glue and construction paper from the drawer.”

This all may seem unimportant but your child is learning to pay attention, to listen and follow directions, which will be essential to success in school and later in work situations. If you take the time to teach your little one at home, they will be much better prepared for school when the time comes.  And being prepared is basic for building self-confidence of any person.  Doing pre k learning games can be the key to your child’s future success.