Here are a few activities from Ready for Kindergarten (Zondervan Publishers)
"Shaving Mania"
Materials: A can of shaving cream and an old shirt
Activity: Put an old shirt on your child to wear for this "super fun" activity. Shaving cream is messy but easy to clean up. Before you begin, warn your child not to touch his/her mouth or his eyes with the shaving cream.
Put a little shaving cream on your kitchen table (or other safe surface) and smooth it out so your child can touch, explore, and create. YOU try some, too! Be a part of your child's world.
After about five minutes of exploring, ask your child if he/she remembers how to make the first letter in his/her name. If not, guide your child's finger, printing the capital letter from top to bottom to form the letter together. (You could also print his/her name on paper for him/her to see while doing this activity. The first letter is capitalized and the rest lowercase.) Now encourage your child to practice making the letter by himself/herself. After he/she tries, use words like "Way to go!" and "I'm so proud of you!" Let him/her try the other letter in his/her name, too. Your child could also practice numbers and shapes. It's easy to erase mistakes with shaving cream and try again. (if the shaving cream starts to dry up, squirt more onto the table.)
Train your child to clean up after the activity. This helps teach responsibility and independence.
*Older children enjoy this activity, too. Practice spelling words, math facts and drawing skills.
"I Think I Can!"
Materials: Book - The Little Engine That Could Activity: Read or tell the classic story, The Little Engine That Could. Ask your child to tell you about her favorite part of the story. Ask her what the little engine did that was so kind. Discuss how the little engine didn't know if he could get that whole train over the mountain, but he had a good attitude and was willing to try. Ask your child what she would do if the kindergarten teacher asked him to print the number 5 and your child didn't know how. (Be accepting of his ideas, such as ask a friend, ask the teacher, practice, etc.)
Hug your child and compliment her ideas. Say, "I'm glad you have a good attitude and keep trying when you have hard things to do."
Apply this activity to daily living. Compliment your child when she chooses a good attitude and give giant hugs.
FOR KIDS Elementary Age
Quotes are "pearls of wisdom" from the past that encourage children to use higher level thinking skills. Here's a quote that lead to a great discussion:
One of our greatest freedoms is to choose our attitude in any given situation. Victor Frankl (Concentration camp survivor)
Agree or disagree? Explain
This site last updated MAY 2012 WILKINS LEARNING CENTER Climb the Mountain of Knowledge, The Wilkins Way®
