What do you do when a book is too long and your child can't attend for the entire story? Or what if there are so many new vocabulary words that your child doesn't understand half of what you are reading? Here's my solution: make up your own story by telling what is happening in the pictures. Pick books that have interesting pictures that show activities that are familiar to your child (like eating, or going to the park, or playing with a pet). See how I do it with a book that is too advanced for my child, but I make it work by changing the story. Reading is about teaching new vocabulary and concepts, but it's also supposed to be a fun exchange between you and your child. P.S. It's also okay if you 'read' 3 pages instead of the entire book. Just try add more pages each time to you read with your child.
See if there are things at home that relate to the books you are reading. If you read a book about the grocery store, eat some of the same foods at snack time. That way, you take a concept that was introduced in the book and your child can experience it during a real, functional activity. Once you start thinking about the idea of incorporating 'learning' during daily tasks, it really does become easier and easier!
Don't have books? Tired of reading the ones you do have? No problem! Make your own (including props!). Reading is one of the best ways to increase vocabulary, work on back and forth language, increase skills with answering questions, demonstrate memory with real experiences related to the book, and practice participating in a structured task. Bonus points if you then follow up the book with a related activity. For example, If you read a book about swimming, talk about that while your child is in the bathtub. Bonus, bonus points- read the book again after bath time!
This video begins to demonstrate the use of picture cards for choice making. We can do this for mealtimes with foods (cookie or apple), throughout the day for activity choices (puzzles or books), and to continue or end an activity (yes or no). This is such a powerful step in teaching children how to express themselves.
It might not look like it does at school, but it still can be just as meaningful! I've made these cookies so many times, I don't even need to see the recipe. But times are different right now, and I was so distracted by what I was doing (making videos) that I'm pretty sure I forgot the second cup of flour! Guess what? They still taste like cookies. And that should be the take away from this video. It won't be the same... and that's OK! Unexpectedly at home. Expect differences. In there somewhere, though, try to find moments to enjoy each other.
Just about everything that would go into the recycle bin can be turned into a toy. Puzzles, books, barns, car garages, hippo habitat... it just takes some creativity. Luckily, children are great creators! They just need a little help.
With a little help, your little ones can help! There are so many ways to teach new concepts throughout the day. Just by talking about what you are doing, you are teaching! Here's another way to have little helpers and still get your household tasks completed.
If you're washing dishes every day, you're probably putting away dishes every day. With some precautions for safety, your children can handle this job!
How do you get your household tasks done when everyone is home all the time? You put them to work! Young children just need a little help from you to be safe while helping out.
Like Daniel Tiger says, "Everyone is big enough to do something!" Do you ever wonder whey preschool teachers sing so often? It's a great way to engage children in an activity while also teaching new concepts.
Here's a song for you to add to your hand washing routine! Water play doesn't just happen at school in the sensory tub, or at home in the bathtub. Washing dishes happens at my house every day, probably at yours too. Let your children 'help' right along side you. They'll stay busy and have a great time. You can do this every single day! Water play never gets boring.
Not every child loves to spend endless time sitting on your lap and reading. Some don't even want to spend two minutes sitting for a structured book activity. Here are some ideas about how to set up reading time to increase interactions and success. Give it a try, but know that it is okay for story time to last only 1 minute when you first start establishing a routine.
Bath time is a perfect time to start learning the names of basic body parts and other things!
Take advantage of the fact that you have a captive audience and have fun with learning in the bath! Find an activity that your child enjoys. When first teaching turn taking, it helps to use a toy or game that has multiple pieces so you aren't having to share only one item. A puzzle is perfect! Notice how Kathryn is talking to B the entire time and asking who gets to have the next turn.
Before children actually start to read words, we are teaching them about print and the concept that text tells a message. Find ways to notice print in your home environment and share that with children. Do you use a recipe when you cook? That's print. Do you read the directions when you see how many batteries to put in a new toy? That's print. Do you pick which can of soup by the name on the front of the container? That's print. Those are three very meaningful examples that show children the purpose of print and reading. And all of those can be done at home. Try to get in the habit of letting your children see you read. Say it out-loud. Tell them, "Well, let's read the words to see what it says." (and enjoy... this is supposed to be fun!)
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