by L.M. Redding

Created on: October 06, 2008

What can you do to teach your preschooler reading and writing while he is still young? Read to your child for fifteen minutes every day along with the bedtime stories at night. You can read magazines, newspapers; even the back of cereal boxes and make it into a game. If you have a computer-savvy five year-old let him use educational websites to learn reading and math. Teach him that computers are for more than playing the latest video game.

Don't have a computer at home? Take her to the local library where she can use the computer for free. Buy her math games. Right now Sudoku is popular, or download math puzzles for free from the internet. While there, be sure to let her select books that catch her eye. If you're not sure what to get, ask the children's librarian for help and make sure to get your child her own library card. When you're driving in the car or on a bus, point out words from store signs to her.

Children will realize that learning is natural, something they will do everyday, not just in school. Make sure they recognize simple colors like red, blue, green and yellow and understand the difference between "above" and "underneath."

How about teaching your tots to write their own name? Most children can speak in simple sentences by the age of two, surely they can learn to spell their own name by the time they're three. Have them practice spelling aloud and writing their first and last name before they enter kindergarten. Write their name in big block letters on a sheet of paper and let them practice writing it every day. In a couple of weeks they'll know it by heart.

You can also teach them to count to ten. You don't have to purchase flashcards for this, simply take a sheet of paper, draw ten squares on it and write the numbers in the squares. Let your child color the numbers and cut them out. Drawing, coloring and cutting is what they'll do in kindergarten, so give them a head start.

Most parents already take their children to the supermarket. On your next trip with them point out the different vegetables and the name next to it. Then have your little students memorize the spelling. Wait a few minutes and see if they can recall how the vegetable is spelled.

Of course, since they're always begging you to buy them a treat, now you'll have a good reason to give it to them. Also, see if they can spell their favorite treats. No matter what method you choose, consistency is the key and a little every day goes a long way in ensuring your child has a good attitude about learning. Parents are their children's first teacher. Teach them well.

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