The preschool years are vitally important to a successful academic career later in life. Your preschooler should be working on developing some important skills that will serve him or her well in later years. These ten skills can be easily developed with the right educational tools and some time and effort from parents.
1. A good attention span. The ability to sit still and pay attention is essential for school success and should be learned early.
2. Beginning reading skills. "A child's ability in kindergarten and first grade to be able to recognize that words they hear are made up of sounds and that those sounds can be manipulated to create different words plays an important role in early word reading." Says Dr. Ken Grizzle of the University of Wisconsin.
3. Beginning writing skills. Every scribble is an opportunity to develop the most basic of writing abilities, so encourage this activity.
4. Beginning math skills. Developing a basic concept of numbers and counting sets your child up for the complex math that is to come.
5. The ability to listen. It is vital to a preschooler to be able hear and understand instructions and explanations, and not miss important information.
6. The ability to problem-solve. Early educational games and activities teach this all-important skill that is needed in academics as well as our daily lives.
7. The ability to communicate. Your preschooler needs to learn how to express needs and how to ask questions to succeed later in life.
8. The ability to think creatively. Creative play and imaginative activities help your child think creatively. "The critical role of imagination, discovery and creativity in a child's education is only beginning to come to light," says the founder of the International Child Art Foundation, Dr. Ashfaq Ishaq.
9. The ability to be social. Developing good social skills is critical to getting through the years to come. It is essential to a successful educational career, even if it is not an academic tool.
10. Developing fine motor ability. Doing crafts and other such activities helps your child develop the motor skills needed for later projects.
These simple tips will help you develop these important skills in your child:
Start reading to your child at a young age
Work with your child on learning activities and games
Make sure your child has a variety of different types of educational tools and activitie
By giving your child these ten basic preschool skills, you will ensure that later academics will go more smoothly and be much easier for your child.