From Pre-School to Kindergarten

My daughter Emely is about to finish Pre-School on Friday, which I can't believe! She will be starting kindergarten in August. And she can't wait to start in the "big school" and ride the school bus.. which I am not at all comfortable!!

Anyways, I was given a Transition Activity Calendar which seems to be really good to help kids during the summer. I wanted to share this with you, for those who have kids that are going to kindergarten. Hope this is helpful!

Here is a Pre-K Summer Book List that they recommend:

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

Bear in a Square by Debbie Harter

Boomer Goes to School by Constance W. McGeorge

Countdown to Kindergarten by Alison McGhee

Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z by L. Ehlert

Franklin Goes to School by Paulette Bourgeois

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper

Welcome to Kindergarten by Anne F. Rockwell

Tips and Additional Activities

When Shopping with your child...

• Have your child find a letter from their name on a product label.
• Try simple activities such as reading logos of favorite foods and stores.
• Before you go to the store, involve your child in making a shopping list. You can ask your child to check the cereal boxes to see if any are almost empty. A four or five year old can check on the supply of milk, extra rolls of toilet tissue, and other items. You can consult this list together as you shop. Let your child mark off the items on the list.
• Ask your child to make comparisons (smallest, shortest, heaviest, same as, etc.) of cans and bottles.
• Let your child pick out one vegetable of fruit and identify the begining sound of its name. What other foods begin with that sound?
• Cut out coupons, and help your child match the coupon to the food item. Let her/him give them to the cashier.
• Estimate how many radishes (carrots, etc.) are in a bunch and then count the number.

Tips for Reading Aloud

• Be enthusiastic.
• Change your voice and facial expressions.
• Make sure children are comfortable.
• Read aloud to children frequently.
• Establish regular reading times.
• Help children notice new information.
• Point out pictures as they relate to the story.
• Explain words they may not know to help increase vocabulary.
• Ask children questions before and after reading.
• Encourage children to talk about the book.
• Read many kinds of books including ones with pictures of people of different cultures, ages, and with disabilities.
• Choose books that help you teach.
• Reread favorite books.

When riding in the car with your child...

• Play "I spy" using words found on billboards and signs.
• Have your child draw a pictorial journal of trip events. You can add dictation about each picture if necessary.
• Keep sing-along or storybook tapes in an activity bag or backpack. Drawing materials, card games, puzzles and books also make a great addition.
• Look at a clock, have your child tell what time the trip begins and when they think they will arrive at their destination. Check the time when you arrive.
• Games like "I Spy" searching for animals, letters and numbers; counting colored cars, matching sign shapes, finding silly-named streets, inventing rhymes amuse away the miles.
• My personal favorite one is when my daughter sees a car that looks like mine, her dad's, grandparents, she would yell that its just like so and so...

Here is a calendar to help your child in some learning activities.

5/27 ~ Have your child practice saying his/her full name, address, and phone number.
5/28 ~ Play catch, and count the number of balls caught. Can you come up with other games?
5/29 ~ Explore this-How many body parts can you move while standing in one place?
5/30 ~ Let your child pick out a new toothbrush and teach correct tooth brushing.
5/31 ~ Make a family calendar. What will you be doing for the rest of the summer? (camp, vacation)

6/1 ~ Let your child count the number of coins in your wallet. Let them separate the coins and count each type.

6/2 ~ Look at pictures in a book and then predict what will happen next. Read the story together.

6/3 ~ Choose some old toys to donate to charity.

6/4 ~ Make a simple instrument with kitchen items. (utensils, pots, bowls) Now play them.

6/5 ~ Talk about jobs, discuss where you work, how your work helps the family.

6/6 ~ Listen to a new radio station today. Discuss how the music is different.

6/7 ~ Plant seeds for flowers or vegetables.

6/8 ~ Draw a picture of dad or grandfather, include hair, eye color, etc.

6/9 ~ Have your child create a story about dad or grandgather, write it and read it together.

6/10 ~ Discuss with dad what his favorite food was when he was a child.

6/11 ~ Discuss with dad what he liked to play with as a child.