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PLAY
Playing games can help children to build the skills that empower reading.
Start as young as possible by playing interactively with a baby, simple games, and when the child is old enough, allow lots of time for unstructured play. Let the child explore freely to learn how the world works. Try to minimize the number of times you say “no.” Gradually include some games that deliberately build specific skills like puzzle solving or shape matching, but always keep it fun and joyful, respect the child’s developing attention span, and don’t enforce performance goals. Fifteen minutes of structured play once or twice a day is plenty. The rest should be free, exploratory, and child-directed. Let the child lead. You follow and participate in his world, not vice versa.
There are a wealth of games and educational activities available on the Internet. However, there are plenty of games that don’t require a computer. Public libraries often have games that can be checked out. Games can be made up.
Pattern recognition is one of the foundational skills required to learn how to read. Any game that requires children to mix and match shapes helps. The following link provides access to files parents can download and print to play specific pattern recognition exercises. Ages 4-5 is a good time to master this skill.
Shape Match instructions
Shape Match graphics
Over time we will add more links below to resources that can help.
Resources
Back to Parents page
Playing games can help children to build the skills that empower reading.
Start as young as possible by playing interactively with a baby, simple games, and when the child is old enough, allow lots of time for unstructured play. Let the child explore freely to learn how the world works. Try to minimize the number of times you say “no.” Gradually include some games that deliberately build specific skills like puzzle solving or shape matching, but always keep it fun and joyful, respect the child’s developing attention span, and don’t enforce performance goals. Fifteen minutes of structured play once or twice a day is plenty. The rest should be free, exploratory, and child-directed. Let the child lead. You follow and participate in his world, not vice versa.
There are a wealth of games and educational activities available on the Internet. However, there are plenty of games that don’t require a computer. Public libraries often have games that can be checked out. Games can be made up.
Pattern recognition is one of the foundational skills required to learn how to read. Any game that requires children to mix and match shapes helps. The following link provides access to files parents can download and print to play specific pattern recognition exercises. Ages 4-5 is a good time to master this skill.
Shape Match instructions
Shape Match graphics
Over time we will add more links below to resources that can help.
Resources
- http://www.starfall.com
- http://www.unlocktheeinsteininside.com
- http://bedtimemath.org
- http://www.joinvroom.org/sites/default/files/Vroom%20Activities.pdf
Back to Parents page