How to Get Your Child Ready for 1st Grade

Is your child leaving Kindergarden and heading into first grade? Why not give your child the boost that he or she needs before entering 1st grade.

Things You'll Need

• A few minutes of your time.

Instructions

1. Before entering the first grade, make sure that your child knows his or her ABC's, letter sounds, how to count up to 30, colors, and shapes. They sell computer programs such as Hooked on Phonics for Preschool aged children. There are many school related websites that offer free worksheets and ideas. One great website is edhelper.com or enchantedlearning.com

2. Read children's books to your child 20 minutes everyday. The library is a great place to start. Get your child excited about reading books. Reading to your child every night will be beneficial to your child. Borders and Barnes and Noble have great children's departments.

3. More than likely your child will be learning words from the High Frequency and Dolch Word lists. Why not give your child a head start by teaching them a few before he or she reaches first grade?

   Search key word: Dolch List
   Search key word: High Frequency word list

4. Practice counting with your child when you are at the park or out at play. Introduce them to a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, and dollar bill. Practice counting pennies.

5. Make learning fun! Buy or make educational learning games. Give your child an opportunity to explore. There are several online websites that sell learning products such as www.lakeshore.com, www.scholastic.com or www.carsondellosa.com

6. You can also hire a elementary tutor. There are many great places to go. For example, Kumon and Sylvan Learning Center have Certified teachers at their facilities.

Tips & Warnings

• Leap Frog sells some great educational toys for all ages.

Resources

• Free practice worksheets for your child