As simple as it is and sounds, READING to your child EVERYDAY is the MOSY IMPORTANT thing you can do to ensure his/her academic success. Children at this age love to be read to. Give your child as many experiences with reading materials as possible.
When you read to your child:
Sit side by side or have your child on your lap.
Read the title and author of the book.
Do a "picture walk"--look at all the pictures in the book.
Predict what the story might be about.
Begin reading--you may point to the words as you read if you like.**
Stop every so often to discuss what is happening in the story--are your predictions coming true, can you relate to the plot or the characters, make more predictions.
When you have finished the book, discuss the characters, the setting, the problem of the story and how is was resolved. Have your child give his/her opinion of the book.
**Pointing to the words while reading helps your child learn to read. This method lets your child see and hear the word at the same time.
If possible:
Visit the public library often
Give your child books for presents
Subscribe to a children's magazine
Let your child see you reading
Another wonderful tool for helping your child succeed in school is to provide what is called "Being There" experiences. This simply means do and discuss activities with your child. These experiences can be as simple as going to the park or grocery store to vacationing at the beach or going to the zoo. The critical part of these experiences is to talk with and listen to your child about these outings. At the grocery store, look for as many green foods as you can find. What do they feel like, look like, smell like, taste like? At the park, can your child run fast, slow, hop, jump. Use as many words to describe the activity as you can. These outings provide "backgound knowledge" for your child. Once in class if we read a book or do an experiment your child will be excited about the learning as it will connect to something they already know or did.
One of the most critical things a kindergartener must learn is how to follow directions. In a published study, Kindergarten teachers were asked at the beginning of the school year to identify the students that would succeed during the year. At the end of the year, the researchers checked over the students report cards and sure enough the teachers had accurately predicted the students that would be successful. The researchers then asked the teachers what factors they had used to make their predictions--already reading, oldest in the class, larger family, only child etc. The teachers simply replied that they had selected those students that already knew how to follow directions. This simple yet powerful skill saves hours of classroom time. It keeps the class running smoothly and allows the teacher more time to work with the students. Students who know and follow the classroom procedures accomplish more throughout the day. Following directions includes everything from putting the homework folder in the correct basket to coloring the rhyming pictures blue.
When you read to your child:
Sit side by side or have your child on your lap.
Read the title and author of the book.
Do a "picture walk"--look at all the pictures in the book.
Predict what the story might be about.
Begin reading--you may point to the words as you read if you like.**
Stop every so often to discuss what is happening in the story--are your predictions coming true, can you relate to the plot or the characters, make more predictions.
When you have finished the book, discuss the characters, the setting, the problem of the story and how is was resolved. Have your child give his/her opinion of the book.
**Pointing to the words while reading helps your child learn to read. This method lets your child see and hear the word at the same time.
If possible:
Visit the public library often
Give your child books for presents
Subscribe to a children's magazine
Let your child see you reading
Another wonderful tool for helping your child succeed in school is to provide what is called "Being There" experiences. This simply means do and discuss activities with your child. These experiences can be as simple as going to the park or grocery store to vacationing at the beach or going to the zoo. The critical part of these experiences is to talk with and listen to your child about these outings. At the grocery store, look for as many green foods as you can find. What do they feel like, look like, smell like, taste like? At the park, can your child run fast, slow, hop, jump. Use as many words to describe the activity as you can. These outings provide "backgound knowledge" for your child. Once in class if we read a book or do an experiment your child will be excited about the learning as it will connect to something they already know or did.
One of the most critical things a kindergartener must learn is how to follow directions. In a published study, Kindergarten teachers were asked at the beginning of the school year to identify the students that would succeed during the year. At the end of the year, the researchers checked over the students report cards and sure enough the teachers had accurately predicted the students that would be successful. The researchers then asked the teachers what factors they had used to make their predictions--already reading, oldest in the class, larger family, only child etc. The teachers simply replied that they had selected those students that already knew how to follow directions. This simple yet powerful skill saves hours of classroom time. It keeps the class running smoothly and allows the teacher more time to work with the students. Students who know and follow the classroom procedures accomplish more throughout the day. Following directions includes everything from putting the homework folder in the correct basket to coloring the rhyming pictures blue.