How I can help my 3 to 5 year old

Pages to help your child:

• maths
• phonics
• handwriting

These booklets are designed to allow you to keep a record of your child's progress at the ages of 3 and 4. You can download these and complete them with your child, to give you a lasting record of your child at 3 and 4.

Phonic work sheet 1	Us book 1	Number topic	Topic on Spring

Me			My Dad	My Mum	My family

I have used two story books - 'The very hungry caterpillar' and 'My dad is brilliant' showing you how they can be used to teach all six Early Learning Goals….more to follow this if it is helpful, so let us know through email or the forum. Your child can have their own copy of the books to enjoy the activities even more - just click on the links to the right.
My dad is brilliant		The very hungry caterpillar

You can help to familiarise your child with computers by using these simple ideas in Word. Your child will gain confidence in using the keyboard and mouse and will have the pleasure of producing something to keep or give as a present. Enjoy the suggestions on our pages, which are available to subscribers.

Mouse mat	Balloons

Does your child prefer the computer,TV or video games to books? We have plenty of ideas to encourage your child to love reading. The page on reading is available to all users of our site. Click here to read more... We have given you general suggestions on learning to read and the beginning of phonics, writing and number work.

Every parent wants to give his or her child the best possible start in life. Incidental teaching is fun to do at home. If you read to your child they will develop a love of books. If you take time to cook, to paint, to swim and to play with your child they will improve their concentration, gain confidence and maturity.

Children enjoy watching suitable television programmes, DVDS and videos for a limited length of time. There are computer programmes for two and three year old children. They enjoy Spot the Dog, Noddy, Fireman Sam and similar computer CDs. These teach them mouse control, fine motor skills as well as being the start of computing skills! It is now a technological age so they are going to need this!

There are so many ways to help your child. Riding a bicycle teaches balance, throwing and catching a ball teaches eye control and co-ordination, kicking a ball from an early age may help the child’s physical development and these are all fun to do!

Soon it is time to become more aware about getting ready for learning at school. Reading ,writing and number work are started naturally by parents at home.

Children will only learn when they are ready...every child walks at a different time, begins to talk at a different time and develops physically when they are ready. Through play the foundations of the ‘three R's’ - reading, writing and arithmetic - are established.

Parents enjoy talking to their children and by doing so the little ones increase their vocabulary.
Children play with blocks and so learn to balance them; they learn about shape, height and weight by enjoying everyday experiences.
Even realising that Dad is taller than the baby as he lifts the child, and seeing Mummy's expression of surprise as she realises that her baby gets heavier.

As children get older they are able to play with:

• jigsaws
• books
• painting
• playdough
• each other

All these activities develop the children's knowledge. Playing with other children increases confidence, shares experiences and stimulates children. The pages that follow will help you teach your child the basic skills of reading, writing and number.

All the material illustrated above is available to members of Parents in Touch. Click here to join our members.

If you have any queries please contact us on info@parentsintouch.co.uk

Or subscribers can e-mail me for personal advice on jackiebacon@parentsintouch.co.uk