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photo credit: mtthompson

Opportunities abound to teach you preschooler with alphabet learning games. Learning the ABCs is all about association at first.  So you would begin by showing your little one a letter shape, saying, “a” or “A.”  Tell them that this letter A says “a” (saying just the short sound of A) and giving an example of an A word like Ant.  You can show them a picture of an A and point out a picture of an Ant.

Then you can point to other A’s in other places.  In books, magazines, signs anywhere you might see letters.  You can make cards with the letters printed on them and whip them out from time to time.  It’s just about making associations with the letter name, shape and its sound.

When you say, “A says a as in apple” really depends on how old or quick your child is, weather they make the connection or not.  Continue to do it and eventually you will see they start to recognize it.  You can test the water from time to time and see if they can pick up on the A sound and the association with apple.

It can’t be overemphasized that this must be all done in a relaxed, fun atmosphere.  Maybe your rambunctious three year old can’t sit for a “lesson” for more than 10 seconds. Just use those 10 seconds.  Time will come when you can sit for longer.

And once you begin to show your child the wonderful world of letters and sounds, it will be like when a woman first learns she’s pregnant – she notices all the other pregnant women around her.  So be prepared for your little one to shout out “a” apple; “b” boy, as you go through public places.

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.

photo credit: Bee Plus

Playing with numbers is just a matter of thinking a bit before doing anything with your child.  Preschool number games can come out of any activity you are doing at the moment.

So, for example, if you are driving down the road you could talk to your son about the red cars you might see.  So tell him, “We are going to count all of the red cars on the way to Grandma’s.”  Or you might pick something else like big trucks.  If Daddy works for a company like UPS or Wal-Mart – count those trucks.

While you are driving, you can point out numbers on speed limit signs.  So now your daughter can hunt for a certain number or numbers.  Ask them to count all of the Exit signs if you are on the freeway.  The ideas are endless, really.

At home, when you are putting toys away, why not count the blocks, 1-2-3 or count the dolls or stuffed animals – same with books or magazines.  Just look for reasons to count all around you.

Since you’re making it a point to doing preschool number games it follows that you are reading to them, too.  So, why not take the opportunity to point out numerals (1, 2, 3, 4,…) and count quantities of things in the stories?  How many chicks are following the hen?  Can you count how many yellow cars are in this picture?

As you can see, inventing preschool number games is only a matter of looking a little deeper into your daily activities as you spend your day with your child.

How do you teach your child?