| Play the "who, what, and where"
game. Ask your child who works in a
school, what is in a school, and where
is the school. Expand on your child's
answers by asking more questions.
Ask about other topics, like the library,
bus stop, or post office. |
When you are setting the table for a
meal, play the "what doesn't belong"
game. Add a small toy or other object
next to the plate and eating utensils.
Ask your child if she can tell you what
doesn't belong here. You can try this
game any time of the day. For example,
while brushing your child's hair,
set out a brush, barrette, comb, and a
"ball." |
Let your child help prepare a picnic.
Show him what he can use for the picnic
(bread, peanut butter, and apples).
Lay out sandwich bags and a lunch
box, basket, or large plastic bag. Then
go have fun on the picnic. |
On a rainy day, pretend to open a
shoe store. Use old shoes, paper,
pencils, and a chair to sit down and try
on shoes. You can be the customer.
Encourage your child to "write" your
order down. Then she can take a turn
being the customer and practice trying
on and buying shoes. |
Play the "guess what will happen"
game to encourage your child's
problem-solving and thinking skills.
For example, during bath time, ask
your child, "What do you think will happen
if I turn on the hot and cold water
at the same time?" or "What would
happen if I stacked the blocks to the
top of the ceiling?" |
| Play "bucket hoops." Have your child
stand about 6 feet away and throw a
medium-size ball at a large bucket or
trash can. For fun on a summer day,
fill the bucket with water. |
Write your child's name often. When
he finishes drawing a picture, be sure
to put his name on it and say the letters
as you write them. If he is interested,
encourage him to name and/or
to copy the letters. Point out the letters
in your child's name throughout the
day on cereal boxes, sign boards, and
books. |
Invite your child to play a counting
game. Using a large piece of paper,
make a simple game board with a
straight path. Use dice to determine
the count. Count with your child, and
encourage her to hop the game piece
to each square, counting as she
touches down. |
Make a person with Play-Doh or clay
using sticks, buttons, toothpicks,
beads, and any other small items.
Start with a Play-Doh (or clay) head
and body and use the objects for
arms, legs, and eyes. Ask your child
questions about his person. |
Encourage your child to learn her full
name, address, and telephone number.
Make it into a singing or rhyming
game for fun. Ask your child to repeat
it back to you when you are riding in
the car or on the bus. |
| Cut out three small, three medium,
and three large circles. Color each set
of circles a different color (or use colored
paper for each). Your child can
sort the circles by color or by size. You
can also ask your child about the different
sizes. For example, ask your
child, "Which one is smallest?" Try this
game using the buttons removed from
an old shirt. |
Go on a walk and pick up things you
find. Bring the items home and help
your child sort them into groups. For
example, groups can include rocks,
paper, or leaves. Encourage your child
to start a "collection" of special things.
Find a box or special place where he
can display his collection. |
Play a picture guessing game. Cover
a picture in a familiar book with a
sheet of paper and uncover a little at a
time until your child has guessed the
picture. |
Let your child help you prepare a
meal. She can spread peanut butter
and jelly, peel a banana, cut with a
butter knife, pour cereal, and add milk
(using a small container). Never give
her a task involving the stove or oven
without careful supervision. |
"Write" and mail a letter to a friend or
relative. Provide your child with paper,
crayons or pencil, and an envelope.
Let him draw, scribble, or write; or he
can tell you what to write down. When
he is finished, let him fold the letter to
fit in the envelope, lick, and seal. You
can write the address on the front. Be
sure to let him decorate the envelope
as well. After he has put the stamp on,
help him mail the letter. |
| Play "circus." Find old, colorful clothes
and help your child put on a circus
show. Provide a rope on the ground
for the high wire act, a box to stand on
to announce the acts, fun objects for a
magic act, and stuffed animals for the
show. Encourage your child's imagination
and creativity in planning the
show. Don't forget to clap. |
Take a pack of playing cards and
choose four or five matching sets. Lay
the cards out face up, and help your
child to find the pairs. Talk about what
makes the pairs of cards the "same"
and "different." |
Make bubbles. The recipe is 3/4 cup
dish washing liquid (Dawn or Joy
works best) and 8 cups of water. Use
straws to blow bubbles on a cookie
sheet. Or make a wand by stringing
two pieces of a drinking straw onto a
string or piece of yarn. Tie the ends of
the string together to make a circle.
Holding onto the straw pieces, dip the
string in the bubble mixture. Pull it out
and gently move forward or backward.
You should see lovely, big bubbles. |
Make a bean bag to catch and throw.
Fill the toe of an old sock or pantyhose
with 3/4 cup dry beans. Sew the
remaining side or tie off with a rubber
band. Play "hot potato" or simply play
catch. Encourage your child to throw
the ball overhand and underhand. |
Pretend to be an animal. Encourage
your child to use her imagination and
become a kitty. You can ask, "What do
kitties like to eat?" or "Where do kitties
live?" Play along, and see how far the
game can go. |
The ASQ User's Guide, Second Edition, Squires,
Potter, and Bricker. Copyright 1999 Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
