How to teach younger children

Do you have younger children at home? Perhaps you run a daycare and want some ideas for learning activities. Whatever the case, this article will offer a healthy serving of tips and ideas for all the little ones in your life.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• <br>Children
• <br>Worksheets
• <br>Printer
• <br>Outdoor play equipment
• <br>Games
• <br>Books
• <br>Craft Supplies

1. 
    
   Worksheets come in all shapes and sizes.

   Worksheets can be your friend. If the younger children like to color, do mazes or connect the dots. These can all be tools for learning. If you do not already have workbooks, you can go to educational websites and use a printer to print out worksheets (categorized by age) from any of the websites below. <br><br>Think of themes for each week. If you are unsure, use the Internet to find holidays and strange celebrations from around the world. Throw in a little beginning U.S. history just for fun. You'll be amazed at how curious the children are. You can even have them color and cut out themed arts and crafts such as hats.

2. 
    
   Children love to learn at the computer--watch them go!

   Your computer is a great teaching tool. Use any of the websites below to teach computer skills, print out worksheets, explore fun websites and teach basic alphabet, music and number skills. You can also purchase inexpensive CDs, DVDs or check them out from the library such as Freddie Fish, Jump Start Kindergarten, Clifford, Curious George and many other characters.

3. 
    
   Messy play may be difficult for you, but it's good for kids.

   Lots of children like to learn using hands on. Have lots of learning toys on hand that stimulate fine motor skills and creativity. Allow for "messy play" with Play-Dough, sand, flour and water, crayons or markers, clay, finger paint and yes, even mud in designated areas. Wear old clothes or a smock to protect clothing. Make sure children know the areas that those types of toys are allowed in.<br><br>For less messy ideas, you can use blocks, dolls, tea sets, Legos, cars, puzzles, doll houses, Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys. Have a four- or five-year-old make up a story about the activity they are doing. <br><br>The craft or hobby store is loaded with inexpensive ideas that only need a few ingredients such as glue, Popsicle sticks or foam letters. Visit them to get some ideas for your next craft. You can also get ideas in many family magazines. Think seasonal activities.

4. 
    
   Encourage children to read at any age.

   Reading is an excellent way to stir children's imagination and teach them all at once. Have them start figuring out what the letters are at age 3 1/2 to about 5. They will demonstrate when they are reading to start learning to read. Some children even can devise a system to teach themselves early reading skills. <br><br>Smaller children like to put things in their mouth, so use the thick board books or plastic books. Have them help you turn the pages and point to the pictures.<br><br>When reading to children, always try to maintain some type of eye contact and go slowly. Have them figure out what the story is saying to them.

5. TV and DVDs can also be a good learning tool when used in moderation. Experts suggest no more than 30 to 60 minutes per day of screen time for younger children. Save the TV time for rainy days and inclement or cold weather.

6. 
    
   Gardening is fun for preschoolers.

   Children learn a lot just by touch. Take them outside to your garden or to a park and let them touch and find out about different flowers and insects. You can also show them the different birds that reside in your area. Put up a bird feeder, show the children the different breeds and see if they can identify them. Warn the children about dangerous insects and plants, and keep them away from standing water.<br><br>If a squirrel, chipmunk or other creature visits your backyard, have the children look out the window and tell them about the animal. You may even want to look up more information on the computer or do a worksheet or project on the animal.<br><br>In the summer or fall, consider a trip to the zoo or pumpkin farm where they will learn about creatures and plants they would not normally see.

7. 
    
   Preschooler at play.

   Indoor and outdoor games are great ways to learn about teamwork and develop social skills that will carry into life later on. Depending upon how many kids and space you have, you can play dodgeball, Simon Says, Red Light, Green Light, Board Games (there are a lot of "junior" and "preschool" games available). They do not all have to be competitive and some can be hand-held or electronic.<br><br>Being outdoors gives kids a chance to exercise their lungs and develop a concept of what an "outdoor voice" is as compared to an indoor voice.<br><br>When playing active games, kids also learn healthy exercise habits. Little bodies were meant to move around. Even if you are teaching a lesson, you can have the kids help you and also get up and act out the story or activity you are working on. They can even have some unstructured time on the swings or slide in a park or at your home.

8. While preschoolers cannot operate any cooking equipment, they can help you put the finishing touches on cupcakes, or count and sort ingredients. Just make sure the ingredients make it to what you are baking or cooking and not into their mouths. They can also be taught how to set your table (with plastic and paper, of course).

Tips & Warnings

• Keeping kids busy and active will often keep them out of trouble. They will be more calm and relaxed when they have a task to focus on.
• <br>
• <br>Keep the sessions relatively short, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Refrain from using smaller toys with a lot of parts that could pose a choking hazard, especially if you are working with children of mixed age groups.
• <br>
• <br>Do not go outside at sunset or when the sun is the most potent during summer days.

[amylaine]

on 8/25/2008 Great ideas. I will be using some of them. five stars.