Last week marked a momentous occasion in our house: we registered our youngest for kindergarten. Even though I work at the school my son will attend, I still almost cried. Who knows what I’ll be like next September!
In kindergarten, there is play time (both inside and outside) and work time. So much is learned through play at this age, and you can play like this at home to enhance your child’s reading, writing and math skills. Here are a few examples. I have an easel in my house, and it currently has a menu on one side. It was written by Lexi, my second grade daughter, when we were playing restaurant. My five year old son, Will, who was our server, had a pad of paper and was writing down my order. He would say the words, and write any sounds he heard. Sometimes he only heard the first sound; sometimes he heard more sounds. Whatever he wrote, I asked “Do you hear anymore sounds in bread?” “Do you hear anymore sounds in hot dog?” I would say the words slowly so he could hear more and more sounds. I only told him the letters if I could see he was frustrated with how to spell it because he looked at it and knew it needed more letters. Other than that, whatever he wrote was correct. That’s because it’s developmentally appropriate for him. This is writing as a game, but writing for a purpose. Writing should never be used as a punishment. Your child will start to dread it, and see it as “work” and not a daily necessity. I share my daily writing with my children. They see me make lists on sticky notes and write on the computer. I make the menu for the week and write out the grocery list. Often, they help with this chore by telling me what they want to eat that week, with mac and cheese being a weekly favorite! One of my kids crosses off the items as we put into the cart at the grocery store. Then, we estimate how much it will all cost when we check out. After everything is put on the conveyer belt, Lexi and I each take guesses to see how much it will cost. Sometimes we change our guesses half way through check out! It is showing her how math is used on a daily basis. I expect them to write thank you notes for gifts they receive. Lexi sits down and writes them by herself. She knows how to properly write a letter with a greeting and closing, since she has been doing this for several years. Will just tells me what to write, and signs his name. I ask for sounds for the words, and he tells me. We put things on the calendar together: important dates and appointments. Every now and again I get a love note taped to my bedroom door. I leave notes on their doors too. One of our favorite games to play is store. We set up the cash register, and take turns being the shopper and the cashier. When you are the cashier, you get to choose what’s in the store. Who knew you could sell a lion next to kiwi? Will enjoys punching in the numbers and telling me how much I owe him. Lexi has gotten to the point of using the money and giving the exact change, so we are practicing money too! It is important for children to see adults using reading, writing, and math in our everyday lives, so point it out to your child. If they see that it is important and valuable to us, it will become important to them.
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AuthorMy name is Laura Coffin, and I am the reading specialist at Lake Placid Elementary School. I have a BA from William Smith College and a M.Ed. in Reading from Lesley University. I also hold a Wilson Language Level I certification. I teach reading, writing and spelling strategies to help all students! Follow me on twitter @lgaetacoffin Archives
December 2017
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