Ms. Cindie's Family Child Care

 

Preschool Learning Activities

 

     Kindergarten readiness is my goal for every young child in my care!  Children

need to learn so many things in their first year in school.  It can be overwhelming

for the child and parent alike!  That is why I have made it my goal to help the

children in my care to get off to a good start.  This way, when the time comes for

them to take that first step into their kindergarten class, they will already have

many of the skills that they need to succeed.

     We do our school activities from September through mid- June.  We begin

each day with our circle time activities which consist of posting the day of the

week, the current date on the calendar, and the current weather.  We also

practice recognizing our colors, shapes, numbers, the alphabet (upper and lower

case with their sounds), and also sight words. 

 

    

    

     Each week we have a learning theme.  Most weeks the children bring

in an item(s) from home that correlates with our theme(s), letter, or color

of the week.  We may use the items throughout the week during math,

science, or social studies, or to feed Freddy, our hungry frog who helps

children learn the beginning letter and sound of the item that they are

feeding him.   

 

    

 

     When we have completed our circle time activites, we then move on to a

project which can range from a structured craft, painting, coloring, activity

sheet, cooking project or free choice. 

 

     Over the course of the week, I set aside time for each child to have one

on one time with me so that we can work on areas that they need some extra

learning time in.  Generally the children bring home an activity every day. 

However, sometimes our activities take more than one day to complete or we 

may be doing activites as a group.  

 

     We practice writing their names, as well as general writing skills, many

times daily.  One of the ways we practice is in the morning when the

children arrive, they sign in by putting their picture/name card on our sign

in board.  On the opposite side of our sign in board it tells the children what

we are doing for the day and then there is a question for the children to

answer.  The question has two choices for an answer and then the children

choose which answer that they prefer and they then sign their name under

that answer's heading.  Example:  "Do you like the color yellow or red best?" 

They then sign their name under the yellow or red heading depending on their

answer.

 

     

 

     In addition to our structured learning time, We have a daily learning

center activity that is available to the children to explore on their own. 

They really enjoy seeing each morning what is in that day's basket. 

Examples of our learning center activities are:  math practice,

rhyming, matching, handwriting practice, art items, and books that

match the theme of the week. 

 

     I feel that it is also very important that children have an opportunity

throughout the day to "just play".  It is amazing what children learn

through play alone! 

 

     I always take a fun and casual approach to our school activities and never

force a child to participate.  Even though all children learn at different rates,

it is my goal that each child in my program know the majority of their alphabet

(including their sounds), their shapes, colors, numbers 1-20, basic sight

words, and how to write their first and last name by the time that they are

ready to enter kindergarten. 

 

     I am so very proud of the all of the accomplishments of the children in my

program and truly treasure every one of their milestones along with

their parents.  I would love to talk with you more about my program and I hope

that I will have the opportunity to cherish your child's accomplishments along with

you too!