| If you have an only child, like I do, you worry about | | | | process. Reading books to your child will also help her |
| preparing her for kindergarten. Will there be a huge | | | | develop her vocabulary. |
| adjustment period because your child didn't have | | | | Recognize Colors And Shapes |
| siblings to play and share with? We want our child to | | | | Being able to recognize colors and shapes is another |
| have the best possible advantage and want to make | | | | important skill your child needs to master before |
| sure she is ready for kindergarten and school. Here | | | | entering kindergarten. Quiz your child on colors and |
| are some tips on how you can accomplish just that. | | | | shapes throughout the day. Ask her what color the |
| Socialize | | | | tablecloth is. Cut various shapes out of construction |
| Get your child together with other kids to get her | | | | paper and teach her which one is a circle, triangle, |
| socialized. This means that she learns how to interact | | | | rectangle etc. Stick the cutout shapes in an envelope |
| with other kids, how to share, how to argue, how to | | | | for a quick portable game the two of you can play |
| make friends etc. Playgroups are a great way to | | | | anywhere. |
| expose your child to other kids who are roughly the | | | | Work On Numbers And Letters |
| same age. Another great way is to take her to the | | | | Another important skill your child should master before |
| playground ever few days. Pick a playground that | | | | entering kindergarten are recognizing numbers and |
| attracts lots of other kids, so she has a chance to | | | | letters. Work with her on numbers 1 through 10 and the |
| make friends while she plays. | | | | letters of the alphabet. You can start by singing the |
| Read Books Together | | | | alphabet song with her while pointing to each letter. |
| Reading is another essential skill that your child will be | | | | Pay special attention to a particular letter - the letter of |
| introduced to in kindergarten. Prepare her by reading | | | | the day. Practice writing the letter with her and point it |
| books to her. Reading creates an awareness that | | | | out as you come across the letter on signs or in books |
| these funny little scribbles on the page represent | | | | the two of you are reading. |
| words, which is an important first step in the reading | | | | |