Parenting Question:
My
3 year old loves books. She memorizes them as I read them,
and then she sits and looks at the pictures and pretend reads them
to herself. Should I be teaching her the alphabet and sounds so
she can begin to read?
*Miss
Lori suggests: The fact that your daughter is enjoying and
retelling these stories is much more important than the more
formal aspect of reading. Of course, it is fine for a 3 year old to
start learning the alphabet, but it is not necessary.
You don't want to stifle her love of books, by trying to add a new
set of skills.
There are a few things you can do to enhance her reading readiness.
As you are reading, stop to ask her questions about what she thinks is
going to happen next. Label her toy shelves. Put her name on her door.
My suggestion is unless she is extremely curious about the
alphabet and the letters sound, keep things very low key.
Hygiene
Suggestion:
Is it hard to get your child to brush his teeth? When
should you start brushing? Try these ideas:
Baby - Before teeth, rub
gums with a wet washcloth. After teeth, brush with a soft-bristled
toothbrush and water. Do not give fluoride toothpaste until age 2.
Toddlers/Preschoolers -Take the child shopping to pick out his toothbrush,
giving him ownership. Parents assist child with brushing, then let them have
a turn. Sing a 2 minute song to give them an idea of how long to brush. Or
use some sort of timer, like a small hour glass.
School -Age Children - Hopefully, by age 5 your child should be in a habit
of brushing twice a day. Keep the fun in it, not only let them pick out
their toothbrushes, but let them choose new toothpastes. You may also want
to get them a battery operated brush, with all the bells and whistles.
The point is to keep it fun.
Craft
Idea:
Bird
Feeder
What you will need : Pine Cone, peanut butter, bird seed, ribbon, baggie.
Go
outside on a hunt for some pine cones. While you are outside, look for
birds and ask questions about how they stay warm or cool, what do they
eat. Tell the child you are going to make a yummy snack for the birds.
Tie a ribbon around the top of the pinecone. Smear the peanut butter with
your fingers around the pinecone. Place the birdseed in a
baggie. Take the peanut buttered pinecone and place in baggie. Seal
and shake the baggie, the birdseed will stick to the peanut butter on the
pinecone. Take out of baggie and find a tree branch that you and you child
can watch the birds eat their yummy snack.
Some
words from Miss Lori:
Hope you have enjoyed Sqedunk's first
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Plays with Miss Lori yet?
*Please
understand that these are just suggestions and ideas from Miss Lori's many
years of education and experience in early childhood.
Miss Lori does not claim to be an expert, just full of ideas!