Pre School for Kids

Here in the United States, the last weeks of summer are already upon us, and the new school year is right around the corner. Whether you can’t wait till your kids are back in school or dread the more regimented days ahead, there’s one thing you can count on: Back to School is always a big transition. Kids who are starting school for the first time or moving to a new school have to cope with the biggest adjustment, but even moving up a grade means facing more academic demands, a new teacher, and a changing social circle. The good news is that a little bit of preparation and forethought--a very little bit, so you can enjoy these last weeks of summer!--can make those first weeks of school easier for your kids – and yourself. Here’s how: 1. Make sure your child is familiar with the school. If she was at the same school last year, great! You only need to talk about any differences this year. • “Now that you’re in first grade, you get to play on the big kids playground, and go eat in t...

 1. Too many American children don't read well Thirty-three percent of American fourth graders read below the "basic" level on the National Assessment of Educational Progress reading test. The "basic" level is defined as "partial mastery of the prerequisite knowledge and skills that are fundamental for proficient work at each grade." 2. An achievement gaps exists Many students enter kindergarten performing below their peers and remain behind as they move through the grades. Differences in language, exposure to print and background experiences multiply as students confront more challenging reading material in the upper grades. There is a well-established correlation between prior knowledge and reading comprehension: students who have it, get it. Students who don't, don't. The differences are quantifiable as early as age 3 (Hart & Risley, 2003). For some subgroups of students, the reading failure rate is even higher than their same-age ...

Selecting a preschool that is a good fit for your child can be exciting as well as overwhelming. As a parent, you want to be confident that you decide on the right program for your little one, but how do you make the best choice? Always inquire about practical matters first. "When visiting preschools, evaluate practical issues specific to your family's needs. These include the school's hours, proximity to your home or work, available transportation, after-hours options, cost, class size, and staff/child ratio," says Hilary Levey Friedman, Ph.D., parenting expert and author of Playing to Win: Raising Children in a Competitive Culture. "Be sure to ask about the application and admission procedures and the timeline for these. Start considering programs early and get information to make sure you don't miss any deadlines." Top 5 Dinosaur Activities For Preschoolers Science http://www.preschoolalley.com/top-5-dinosaur-activities-for-preschoolers-science How e...

Read together every day Read to your child every day. Make this a warm and loving time when the two of you can cuddle close. Check this website http://www.preschoolalley.com Give everything a name Build your child's vocabulary by talking about interesting words and objects. For example, "Look at that airplane! Those are the wings of the plane. Why do you think they are called wings?" Say how much you enjoy reading Tell your child how much you enjoy reading with him or her. Talk about "story time" as the favorite part of your day. Top 5 Dinosaur Activities For Preschoolers Science http://www.preschoolalley.com/top-5-dinosaur-activities-for-preschoolers-science Read with fun in your voice Read to your child with humor and expression. Use different voices. Ham it up! Know when to stop Put the book away for awhile if your child loses interest or is having trouble paying attention. Be interactive Discuss what's happening in the book, point out things on the pag...

 What defines a preschooler? A child of 3 or 4 is considered a preschooler. So whether or not your child is attending a formal preschool program, he is no longer a toddler. Preschoolers are different from toddlers in that they are developing the basic life skills, independence, and knowledge that they will need as they enter their school years. What should my preschooler be able to do at this age? Preschoolers are learning many new skills and stretching their cognitive abilities. Meg Meeker, M.D., a pediatrician in Traverse City, Michigan, and the best-selling author of six parenting books, breaks down what your preschooler should be able to do below. Though these are the major skills to look out for, be aware that every child develops differently, and yours might accomplish one skill earlier than others. Don't worry about small differentiations from the norm, but if you have concerns about the overall development, consult your pediatrician. "At 3, he should have the fin...

Are you about to start homeschooling? Wondering how you can really get started teaching your child at home? Beginning homeschooling can be very daunting, and most people feel lost at first. I have made it as easy for you as 1,2,3! Let me take you step by step through how to start homeschooling! One step at a time, until you feel confident about making a start! Before we begin, you need to be sure that homeschooling is really the right decision for you and your family. Make sure you understand the pros and cons of homeschooling. They will help you decide if you want to take the plunge! Decided you do definitely want to homeschool? Let's take a look at the steps you need to work through. Start Homeschooling Laws and Requirements So you are ready to begin - but how? The very first step you need to take is to check out out the laws and requirements of your country or state. Understanding what is required out of will enable you to homeschool legally - and with greater confidence. ...

1. Structure. Regular routines help kids feel safe, and are vital for preschoolers, who grapple with big fears on a daily basis. The world is chaotic and scary to them; their household should be predictable. A calm, orderly and fun atmosphere, with regular meal and bedtime routines, will produce happier children who have the internal resources to meet daily developmental challenges. No, that doesn't mean you need to be rigid. But your child does need to know what to expect. toddler speech delay exercises http://www.preschoolalley.com/toddler-speech-delay-exercises-tried-and-tested-tips-for-late-talkers 2. Enough sleep. Preschoolers may resist bedtime, but without sufficient sleep, three to five year olds simply do not have the resourcefulness to cope with the demands of their day. Develop a regular routine that helps her wind down and start relaxing well before bedtime. When he gives up his nap, be sure he still gets some downtime to rest every day. STEM Toys For 2 Year Olds http:...

Is your child entering a preschool program for the first time? Use these tips to help both you and your child make a smooth transition.     Visit your local library during a read-aloud time so your child gets used to hearing someone other than Mom, Dad, or Grandpa read aloud book in a group setting. Engineering Toys for 3 Year Olds http://www.preschoolalley.com/how-to-choose-engineering-toys-for-3-year-olds     Establish a routine of "early to bed" and “school wake-up time” several weeks before school begins so your child has time to adjust to the new schedule.     Find out about the toileting procedures at the new school or center so you can review the situation with your child and make sure she is comfortable.     Arrange play dates with children who will be in your child’s class. Usually moms or dads go along on these early play dates.  Ask the teacher or school for a list of children who will be in your child’s cla...

 Toddlers Behaving Badly As a 2-year-old, Nathaniel Lampros, of Sandy, Utah, was fascinated with toy swords and loved to duel with Kenayde, his 4-year-old sister. But inevitably, he'd whack her in the head, she'd dissolve in tears, and Angela, their mother, would come running to see what had happened. She'd ask Nathaniel to apologize, as well as give Kenayde a hug and make her laugh to pacify hurt feelings. If he resisted, Angela would put her son in time-out. "I worried that Nathaniel would never outgrow his rough behavior, and there were days when I'd get so frustrated with him that I'd end up crying," recalls Lampros, now a mother of four. "But I really wanted Nathaniel to play nicely, so I did my best to teach him how to do it." For many mothers, doling out effective discipline is one of the toughest and most frustrating tasks of parenting, a seemingly never-ending test of wills between you and your child. Because just when your 2-year-...

Preschoolers learn “pre-skills,” which lay the groundwork for the future. Through their playing, singing and learning, preschoolers gain skills that ultimately help them learn to read, write, build their math and science skills, and become successful students. Preschoolers also learn “school readiness” skills, which help them understand the routines of school, how to work in groups, and how to be students. Preschool classrooms are often organized by centers or areas that are divided by different subjects and types of play. For example, a typical preschool classroom may have the following centers: reading, arts and crafts, water/sand table, building and math toys, and an area for pretend play. The school day is structured with both time for free play, during which children can choose which centers to play in, as well as structured scheduled devoted to each subject. Though it may seem like it, preschool is not all fun and games. In fact, preschoolers learn through the fun and games...