Parents' Corner Parents-----The First Teacher Reading Services Center

The toddler is a marvelous blend of wonderment, curiosity and energy. Channeling these qualities into productive early learning can be both fun and beneficial in preparing a child for formal reading instruction.

Have you ever heard a parent say, "I spent a bundle of money on toys for my children at the holidays and what do they do, but drag out my pots and pans." Young children are attracted to objects in their environment. For instance:

• mixing bowls
• pots and pans
• wooden spoons and other cooking utensils
• laundry baskets
• blankets, pillows, sheets
• empty boxes, etc.

Make the most of your child's curiosity by helping the toddler:

• match the lid to the pot or pan
• stack the mixing bowls
• pretend to cook using a large spoon and bowl
• hide under the laundry basket, put the basket over an object
• use the blanket as a hide-away, or a king's or queen's robe, or Superman's cape
• jump on the pillows, toss them up or down, around or over

By doing these simple activities with your child, you are developing visual discrimination, motor skills, spatial relationships, and imagination. Other readiness skills that your child might enjoy include:

• Sorting buttons by color
• Putting silverware away, according to classification of:
  • fork
  • knife
  • spoon
• Sorting laundry according to:
  • family member's items
  • matching towels to wash cloths
  • sorting socks
• Helping to put groceries away, according to:
  • canned goods
  • boxed foods
  • produce, etc.

It's important to remember to start with the simplest way to sort, which would be by color. Then when mastered, move to sorting by size, then shape. Besides developing visual readiness skills, the child can feel pride in being a good helper and a contributing member of the family. Be sure to give praise for a job well done, as praise builds self-confidence and feelings of self-worth.