You are your preschooler’s most important teacher
Your preschooler doesn’t need fancy toys or videos for healthy brain development-he needs you!
Your preschooler needs you; he/she needs a loving role model who gives him freedom to explore while setting appropriate limits. But most of all, he needs to build a strong connection with you by interacting with you every day.
Michigan State University Extension has six important tips to help your preschooler be ready for kindergarten.
- WORDS, WORDS, and more WORDS!
- Talk about his favorite toy, road signs, really anything that you are doing. The more you talk to your children the more words they will learn
Talk about your child’s day
- Ask your child questions like “what did you do today that was fun?”
Share stories and Songs
- Even if it is silly, try to enter into your preschooler’s fantasy play. Pretend to drink the tea or play dolls. Let your child use their imagination.
Read together every day
- Cuddling together over a book not only builds a bond but it helps them to learn more about how books work. Let the child turn the pages, point out pictures or ask questions related to the story.
Support your child curiosity
- Talk about the trees or cars, read signs at the supermarket and describe what you’re doing and why. The more conversation the better!
Encourage Independent play
- Preschoolers can learn a lot by exploring and playing on their own. Let them climb u to the top of the slide, dig holes, play with water and sand. Your job is to encourage independent play and to make sure that they have a safe place to play. But they should know you are always there if they need you.