Setting your child up for success is key to being a good parent. We live in a world that changes likes shifting sand. But what doesn't change is providing your child with a good foundation for learning. The great thing about children is that they are naturally inquisitive about their environment. They are always on the look out for fun experiences that involves a lot of hands on experimentation.
10 Ways to Prepare Your Child During the Early Years
Utilizing very limited screen time. As a parent this can be extremely difficult. You often find yourself scrambling for a few minutes to cook dinner, take a shower, relax, and etc. But it's necessary for proper brain development to limit screen time to a bare minimum. If you find it necessary to include screen time be intentional about it by using an app like ABC Mouse or PBS that promote learning and are age appropriate. As a parent it is important to find shows and apps that align with your child's learning goals.
Get your child outdoors as often as possible to play and explore in nature. Provide opportunities so your child can explore and discover. It doesn't matter whether it's in their own backyard, at a local park, or visiting a historical site.
Invite them into the kitchen regularly so they can see how you as an adult use reading, math, science, and technology in everyday life.
Set time aside each day to be intentional about learning. As a parent you can make it fun and exciting as you teach your child the alphabet and letter sounds, numbers and counting, and shapes and measurement. Some children learn by making observations and some kids need 1 to 1 assistance in learning these basic skills.
Learning through play such as using objects like toy cars to help kids explore and experiment with speed and motion. They will naturally learn the concepts of fast and slow, over and under, and up and down. Try to get toys that are open ended and allow your child to play and use them in many different ways. Toys such as building blocks, playing instruments, and using art supplies give children ample opportunity to explore.
Read aloud to your child daily. Any time is a great time to read to your child no matter if it is during the mornings or in the evenings. As you read point out important ideas related to the story that may interest your child, talk about the pictures, discuss beginning letter sounds, and identify sight words.
Participate in community early learning activities at the local library, community centers, church, gym, and etc. These parent and child times are crucial for providing your child with a wide range of learning activities and fun experiences.
Sing, play games, or provide nursery rhymes and songs. These songs and activities help children learn and identify rhyming words, rhythm, and help them acquire early language and literacy skills.
Teach your child the scriptures. It doesn't matter how it's done whether you teach it through inspirational or gospel music, reading the Bible regularly, teaching memory verses, listening to podcasts, and/or viewing a Youtube Bible story. When it is done regulary it sets your child up for spiritual success. Taking your child to Sunday School is another great way for your child to learn the scriptures and Bible stories as well.
Set up a daily or weekly routine that includes the things that are important to you and your child. Make sure your schedule aligns with your goals and your priorities. Each family is different so what works for your family will not be the same as what may work with another family.
As a parent you are your child's first and most important teacher. As you embark on this amazing adventure you find things that work and don't work. It's okay to take the good and leave the bad and start again. You know your child needs, all they need is someone to take them by the hand and provide them guidance and instruction until they can do it for themselves. The most important thing that they need is you cheering them on and providing opportunities that promote learning, healthy living, and builds confidence. We may not know what the future holds for our children but we can do our best to prepare them for a future we may never see. A future that is full of unlimited possibilities.
Happy Parenting!!!
From the desk of Esther Kamoche Robinson 02/23/25 EST 5:23 pm Wix pics
Comments