In addition to the other very important basics or colors, shapes, numbers, etc. in the last blog; preschoolers are still learning other skills like listening and motor skills. They are also adding daily to their basic knowledge of how the world works.
Position and Direction
* Understands up and down.
* Understands in and out.
* Understands front and back.
* Understands over (on) and under.
* Understands top, bottom, middle.
* Understands beside and next to.
* Understands hot and cold.
* Understands fast and slow.
Teaching Ideas
Why not try a scavenger hunt of easily found toys. Tell your child, “Look on top of the table and bring me the ball.” Continue to do so as you go through all the directions that your child should know.
Simon says is another great game for not only teaching kids to follow directions and listen carefully, but you can use it to teach positions, body parts and other “need to know” info.
Time
* Understands day and night.
* Knows age and birthday.
Teaching Ideas
Keep a calendar that is reusable in a prominent place in your home. Ours is in our preschool learning area. Daily take 5 minutes to go over simple concepts like weather, days of the week, numbers and months. In no time, your child will know their way around a calendar effortlessly.
Listening and Sequencing
* Follows simple directions.
* Listens to a short story.
* Listens carefully.
* Recognizes common sounds.
* Repeats a sequence of sounds.
* Repeats a sequence of orally given numbers.
* Retells simple stories in sequence.
Teaching Idea
Have a set story time every day where you practice these skills. Don’t be surprised if your child asks you to read the same story over and over again. Repitition might be boring to you but your preschooler thinks that hearing that same story again and again is just fascinating.
Related Articles:
What Your Preschooler Should Know: Part I
What Your Preschooler Should Know: Part III