1. Talk with your child and listen to him/her in return.

Ask about their day specifically, such as, “What did you eat for snack?” “What was the story about?” “What did you play with outside?” “What was your favorite part of the day?” If you ask, “What did you do today?” The answer will be “Nothing”.

 

2. Read to your child daily and ask “What do you think will happen next?”

Encourage the child to remember what happened previously in the story and connect it beyond what is being read. Use picture clues to check for meaning.

 

3. Encourage your child to learn how to do things for him/her self.

Model, coach, encourage, and practice. Never do anything for your child that he or she can do for him or herself (age appropriately). Independent children become independent learners; dependent children are dependent learners.

 

4. Load your child with information.

Children want to know what to expect. Explain what he/she can expect at the doctor, in a new situation, the first day of preschool, a special activity during the day at preschool or what your expectation is for his/her behavior in an upcoming situation, etc.

 

5. If you say you will do something, do it. Don’t go back on your word.

If you say, “I will pick you up after lunch”, pick her up after lunch. If you say “Stop throwing that toy or I will count to three, and then I will take it away”. If the child throws the toy again, count to three, once, and take it away, then ask if the child knows why you took the toy away. A child should always know why a punishment was enacted.

 

6. Read the weekly and/or monthly newsletters for the school and class.

Try to use the themes and topics in conversations with your child to reinforce learning.

 

7. Expand their vocabulary.

Instead of only the word “arm” make sure the child knows: shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, knuckles, fingers, fingernails, left hand, right hand or ”tree”: roots, trunk, bark, branches, stems, leaves, etc.

 

8. Follow a consistent schedule for daily routines.

Use the same routines for meals, bedtime, and morning routines, i.e. bath, brush teeth, story, prayer, hug/kiss, tuck in. When changing activities, allow transition time, i.e. “One more puzzle and then it is time for bath.”

 

9. Praise for working hard on a task.

If praise only comes with success, children will quit as soon as a task is too difficult. “You almost got it. You are working hard, good, now try again, good job working hard.” If they learn to work hard and to keep trying, anything is possible.

 

10. Narrate your child’s world.

As you move through the day, discuss the surroundings, the events, the people, the vehicles, buildings, etc. with your child. This narration allows children to sequence events, develop vocabulary, plan for and understand concepts, and to make sense of their world.