Whether or not she attends preschool, your child needs specific skills and knowledge for a successful transition to kindergarten. Working on these areas at home increases your child's proficiency so she can succeed socially and academically as she moves into her elementary school years. Practice the skills during normal play and real-life situations for effective teaching.
Social Skills
A preschooler with exposure to various social situations is better able to learn skills like sharing, cooperating, problem solving and listening. These skills help a child fit in with her peers and be more successful in the classroom. Take your child to play dates with other kids her age as a way to develop her social skills. When problems arise, help her work through it using problem solving. Help her become a better listener by having daily one-on-one conversations.
Personal Information
A preschool child is old enough to learn personal information, including address, telephone number, full name, parents' names and birth date. This information can prove valuable if she is ever lost or separated from you. Practice one piece of information at a time, giving her multiple opportunities to practice it. One effective practice technique is to come up with a song, rhyme or other memory trick to remember the information. For example, for a March birthday, march around the room as you practice saying it. The marching action makes the birth date more memorable to your child. As your child masters one piece of personal information, move on to something new, but always go back and review everything learned regularly.
Self Care
Preschoolers have the physical ability to handle many self-care tasks. Unless there is a developmental delay, children at this age should know how to dress themselves. Tying shoes may still be difficult for a preschooler, but she should practice putting her shoes on her feet alone. Practice putting on coats, mittens, boots and hats in addition to regular clothing. All bathroom tasks, including using the toilet and washing hands, are appropriate for preschoolers to learn. Encourage your preschooler to do everyday self-care tasks independently as much as possible.
Academic Foundation
Sparking an interest in learning and curiosity about the world helps your preschool-aged child prepare for learning in kindergarten. Read children's nonfiction books to your preschooler to use as a springboard for questioning and learning facts. Preschool children should have a basic knowledge of letters and numbers, including identifying them. Point out letters and numbers around you to practice with your child. Developing your preschooler's fine motor skills also help her when she reaches kindergarten. Have her practice holding crayons, pencils and scissors correctly.
