My daughter's having a baby.
Like many new mothers she asks:
"Here's my issue--I want our child to think learning is fun, like I remember it being when I was young. (if you can remember what we did together as a child to make learning fun and easy for me, I'm all ears!)."
Soooo, I put on my thinking cap and told her:
Basic thing we librarians keep telling parents is --
READ to your baby – there are lots of books of nursery rhymes. Sit in your rocker and rock to the rhythm of the words. (you can’t help yourself, actually)
READ to your toddler – there are tons of books in your library == use them
READ to your older preschooler, at least 20 minutes a day.
And your baby will then read to you.
At home let them play with stacking games. Use stacking toys or even your plastic storage containers.
Have sorting games (put the square in the square hole) (arrange things from largest to smallest)
Use the Cusinaire rods to play with your 4/5 year old
And then they’ll see that they are also useful in Kindergarten and 1st grade to understand math concepts. (I was always pulling them out to work with my children.)
READ. Let your child see YOU reading.
Let them play with rhythm instruments -- pots and pans or real ones.
Cook with them.
(Bee Bim Bop by Linda Sue Park, a story about a child helping prepare dinner, is a great book to share.)
Take them places to explore, touch, experience sounds and sights.
Outdoor concerts, art festivals, historic villages, etc.
Go out in a boat, what an experience. Go camping. Do different things/ see different places.
Learn swimming for fun and safety.
etc., etc., etc.
And -- did I say, READ?
-wendieO
