EVERYTHING
FOR YOUR FAMILY
Health: Birth to 5
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Fun ideas to help your young ones learn Fall is here. School-age children are well into their routine, learning about everything from reading and math to eating healthy, exercising and staying safe. Field trips to libraries, fire stations and the pumpkin patch reinforce lessons learned in the classroom. But children begin learning from the moment they are born. You can give them a jump-start so that when they begin school, they’re ready. And one of the best ways to help your child learn is to play with them. Teach while running errands Maybe you have to shop for groceries with your little one(s) in tow. Talk to your baby as you stroll the aisles, describing what you’re buying. While you’re talking, your baby is learning about communication, sounds and words. Ask your toddler to point out items that are red or green, and talk about colors. When you put a can into your cart, ask your preschooler to make up words that rhyme, “can, man, fan, tan.” Nonsense words like “gan and zan” teach your child about letters and their sounds, and it’s good for a laugh, too. Stuck in traffic with a young child? Songs and nursery rhymes are a great way to build an infant’s words. Or point out objects along the road (big trucks, red cars, bright flags). Your child can practice observing the world around her and learn words for things she might not see at home. What about bath time? You know you should never leave a young child alone: How about using bath time for early learning? Talk about opposites (wet/dry; warm/cool; clean/dirty; in/out. Hold an object in the tub/out of the tub or up/down), or read a book to an older child. Read early, read aloud Research shows that reading aloud to children early in life helps them develop a love for books as they get older. Looking at books together and telling stories helps your child learn about language, reading, writing and listening. Point out and name pictures for your baby (dog, ball, hat) and soon she will be bringing you books, pointing to the pictures and asking you the names of objects. Read your toddler the same story over and over, and let him finish his favorite sentences in the book. Sort through the mail with your preschooler and make it a game of “keep” or “toss,” or let your child help make a grocery list (let your child name items while you write, or let your child “pretend” write). These games teach children that written words have meaning. Explore new places Take your youngster on your own “field trips.” It could be as simple as a walk around the block (stopping, of course, to explore every rock or stick or flower). If you take only 25 steps, but have discovered many colors, shapes, sizes, or textures – your mission is accomplished! Does your child love animals? Visit a pet store or the zoo. Books? Many libraries and bookstores have children’s storytimes weekly. Take your camera and snap some pictures so that you can talk later about your field trip (a chance to build memory, word skills and your child’s self-worth.) If your child loves to be outdoors, visit a park or the beach. Bring a bag to collect leaves, sand, or shells – and turn an empty tissue box into a field trip “treasure chest.” You are your children’s first and most important teacher. Show them that learning is fun. This early “education” will be their foundation for a lifetime of learning. For more activities to do with children, visit the Children and Families Commission website at occhildrenandfamilies.com and click on Parent Resources, then “Kid Builders.” |
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