Before Kindergarten: Keeping Your Preschooler Stimulated

This is the age when kids really start to develop and enhance their motor skills.  Colors become identifiable, as well as letters and numbers. It is evident what a child’s personality is like as he or she begins to develop a true identity.  This year is so important, because in no time, kids will be heading into kindergarten.  When kids reach this age, they start to fully realize that they are separate from their parents.  In pre-school, they are under the instruction of a new adult and are also surrounded by other children that are not necessarily their own brothers or sisters.  Although these kids may seem like they know it all, this is the time when they constantly ask questions about anything and everything.  The best activities are those that stimulate the mind, yet still allow them to be kids.

Chores

Yes, it may seem like a daunting task, but parents may be surprised how helpful their little kids are.  The number of tasks that they can assist with is endless.  The activities range from folding laundry, to washing dishes, setting the table or even running a vacuum!  Kids like to act like big people sometimes, so having them assist you in household chores would be a great activity for the both of you.

Swimming

Introducing your child to swimming will teach him or her body coordination.  This will also benefit your child be being accustomed to water and not fearing it later on in life.

Sports

Kids at this age can be enrolled in anything from gymnastics, soccer or dance lessons.  By enrolling your child in an extracurricular activity, he or she can learn more about body coordination and teamwork.  He or she will meet other kids of the same age and will also learn how to take direction from a new teach or coach.  Starting kids in sports from a young age will also help parents determine what their child’s best skills are.

Dressing up

This doesn’t mean, “playing dress up.”  Dressing up means showing your child how to dress him or her self.  As children start learning the different colors, they can pick out their own outfits by going through their drawers and closets and determining which color combinations work best.  Kids can learn how to pull on their own jeans, button up their shirts or tie their shoelaces.

Singing

Your child doesn’t have to have the best voice, but oftentimes lessons are learned when sung.  By singing the alphabet or nursery rhymes, children will have a tune that gets stuck in their mind.  With a familiar tune, they can identify and remember what they learned in a more creative way.  By singing the alphabet, instead of singing it, the mastery of the letters will be twice as fun.

Scavenger hunt

This can take place either inside or outside.  Set up a scavenger hunt and have your kids explore and find things.  This activity gets their mind going and keeps them busy as well.