Category: Pre School

As parents, we want our child(ren) to have everything that is best in life, and education plays a key role in that. So, you may wonder: What strategy do I adopt to enhance my child’s learning and development? 

One of the ways you can help your child learn and develop is through toys. Encouraging kids to play with different kinds of toys is not only fun and engaging for them, but also helps them develop important skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and language.

Here are some of the best educational toys you could pick for your preschooler(s):

Blocks: 

Blocks are one of classical and traditional educational toys that kids across generations are familiar with. From Lego blocks to toy train sets, they come in different shapes, sizes, and materials such as plastic and wood. You can introduce block games to your child(ren) to help them develop their spatial awareness, motor skills, and imagination. They can build houses, towers, and even trains to create their own little worlds.

Puzzles: 

Puzzles are a great way to introduce your young one(s) to fun and engaging games, while helping them develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, through different levels of difficulty. They also help improve hand-eye coordination along with motor skills. Start with simple puzzles with large pieces and gradually work up to more complex ones.

Play sets (like kitchen and food): 

Pretend play largely helps in boosting a child’s learning and creative abilities, and learning toys like play sets; for instance, kitchen and food sets can provide hours of imaginative fun. It only helps your child(ren) improve their imaginative and social skills by playing with others, but also helps them learn about healthy eating habits, and even practice basic counting and arranging skills.

Musical toys:

Music plays a key role in stimulating the human brain and its creativity. Introducing your child(ren) to learning toys like musical toys is a great way to let their creative juices flow. Toys such as drums, xylophones, and keyboards can help your child(ren) develop their sense of rhythm, hand-eye coordination, and even language skills. Encourage your child(ren) to sing along to the music or beat to enhance their vocal cords, memory, and language.

Art supplies:  

Introducing your child(ren) to art is necessary to boost their imagination and creativity. Make them draw, paint, and colour to help them express themselves better and develop their creative as well as fine motor skills. Give them art supplies like crayons, markers, and paint sets to help them open doors of creativity and imagination.

Outdoor toys:

Outdoor toys are one of the best learning toys that are not only cost-effective, but also make your child(ren) physically active. Encourage your kids to go outdoors and play with the help of toys like tricycles or bicycles, wooden wagons, bats and balls, skipping ropes, hula hoops, and more to boost their physical endurance. Or you could even take them to the beach with toy buckets to encourage them to build sandcastles to boost their creativity and critical-thinking skills.

Board games:

Board games are one of the interesting ways your child(ren) can practise and learn how to follow rules, and take and give turns, while they improve their overall social skills. Besides, they also help develop strategic thinking, language skills, and maths skills.

In Conclusion:

When it comes to choosing educational toys for your preschooler(s), you need to consider picking toys that are age-appropriate as well as ones that match their interests. In the end, a child’s learning and development process is incomplete without play, so choose toys that are fun and engaging as well as educational.

Do you wish to foster intellectual curiosity in your child? It’s never too early to begin learning, and your children will appreciate it if you accompany them on this journey sooner than later. You should provide children with a variety of opportunities to explore new subjects and discover new ideas as a parent or educators. For kids and caregivers, worksheets may help in organizing your tasks better, and making preschool education more systematic and enjoyable. 

Check out these five advantages of worksheets for preschool kids

• Worksheets Help Preschool Students Learn Subtly

Worksheets are excellent teaching tools since they make learning more fun for kids. Worksheets in science or math can be completed by kids without them realizing that the tasks are instructional in nature to test their knowledge. Preschool reading worksheets may also help in increasing the attention span of children while giving them an opportunity to explore the depths of the subject in a fun and engaging way. 

• Make Logic-Building Practice Exercises for Worksheets

Homework can get boring after a point when children are forced to follow certain instructions and adopt rote learning. Worksheets are a great way in which you can enhance your child’s curiosity and problem-solving skills. Kids may learn to think more rationally with the help of preschool worksheets, and they also have a great time, solving riddles or challenges that come their way. Try using science worksheets and lesson ideas and notice how much each day your child’s logic abilities improve.

• Worksheets Aid in Greater Area Coverage

Using preschool reading worksheets when teaching children might be the most effective technique to cover more material without burdening your pupils. Their young minds are constantly fascinated by the interesting and varied material of what may appear to be merely a busy activity to them. With the use of simple preschool reading worksheets, children may learn a lot in one session, whether you’re teaching about animals, fruits, or cities. Better Still? Worksheets offer a more hands-on approach to learning which can give better results in a shorter time period, unlike other teaching approaches. 

• Worksheets Make Parenting Simple

Parental engagement in a child’s learning process is critical for their growth and provides several benefits, including making the learning process simpler. Worksheets are a pleasant change for both children and parents since they allow parents to spend quality time with their children while teaching them courses. It can be very tough for some parents to make their children sit and study, and worksheets can be the ideal solution to deal with this situation.

• Worksheets Can Help Children Reduce Their Screen Time

Worksheets have been a staple in classrooms for decades and are now more relevant than ever, especially with most children growing up with smartphones, iPads, and video games.

Fortunately, you may divert your children’s attention away from devices and television by engaging them in stimulating worksheet activities like colouring, shredding paper, sticking items together, and so on. Moreover, kids will eventually enjoy solving arithmetic problems or word lists, which will ultimately keep them away from digital screens. 

Worksheets are excellent tools to foster children’s intellectual curiosity. They assist in increasing the attention span of children while also helping them develop their problem-solving skills. They also give parents a fair idea of what their child is learning at school while they gauge the academic areas in which they excel or struggle.

Numbers can be a nightmare for many children, especially when they are not introduced to Math from an early age. Imparting numerical skills among preschool children is very important so that they enjoy playing with numbers as they grow up. Let’s look at some fun activities that can make little and curious learners fall in love with numbers. 

Adding tunes to numbers

Melodies and music can have a lasting impression on children and their memory. That’s the reason why toddlers tend to remember counting songs and rhymes more often. In the process of learning the songs and rhymes, they are also parallelly improving their numerical skills. Some of the most popular counting songs include “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” and “Ten in the Bed.” Once children get used to them, you can make them listen to more complex number songs and rhymes. 

Step up the Number Game

Fun number recognition games can be a great way to make children enjoy the process of learning math. There are many number puzzles that can be used to challenge preschool learners and test their numerical skills. Number memory card games can be used to help children identify numbers by their shape and understand their sequence. 

Go practical!

Introducing children to the concept of counting by grouping similar kinds of objects, can be a very interesting way to enhance numerical skills in children. For example, you can engage children in games where they must match a numerical number 5 to a set of 5 similar objects, say cars. You can then ask them to count similar kinds of objects and write the number on a book. 

Understanding the form

Apart from counting, you can also engage children in games that help them identify the numerical form. You can have flashcards with numbers and ask children to identify each one of them. You can first go in a sequential manner and then show flashcards in a random sequence. 

Crafting stories around numbers 

Stories stay with children for a longer time, which is why you can create stories around numbers and engage the children. For example, you can tell a story about a family of 5, that had 3 different pets. While narrating the stories, you can lay more emphasis on the numbers and count them out for them. Stories open their minds and help them visualise the numbers better. 

Fun games related to number recognition and memory are like fodder to creative little minds, and hence they should be a part of preschool education.  When learners are introduced to such activities in their preschool or kindergarten, they slowly start developing an interest and love for the subject. Once they enter primary school, they will be ready to take on new numerical challenges that come their way and further sharpen their skills. Math will no longer be a nightmare for them. In fact, the more they learn and practice, the more they will start enjoying it! So, even as parents, you can explore creative ways to explain numerical concepts in your day-to-day lives. 

Anxiety and fear are very common among children who are about to start their academic journey. Until preschool, children are comfortable in the company of their parents or guardians. When they enter Preschool, they are introduced to a whole new world of unknown faces and new friends, all of which can be very overwhelming for any child. Preschool teachers are equipped with the right kind of skills and knowledge to help children overcome their fear. Let’s understand the techniques they use to help Preschool learners break their shells of fear and be comfortable in their new setting. 

Understanding the impact of fear on children

Fear can have long-lasting effects on children, which could impact them in different ways even as they grow up. Preschool teachers keep updating themselves on the biological effects and signs of anxiety like a racing heart, breathlessness, excessive sweating etc. By understanding the nitty-gritty of fear and how it impacts cognitive factors, preschool teachers are well-equipped with the necessary tools and techniques that can help children feel more secure and confident in school. 

Backtracking to the origin of fear

There are different triggers and sources of fear. Some of these can be the immediate setting, others can be related to their personal experiences at home or outside school. Preschool teachers take a personalized approach towards understanding each child’s mindset for analysing triggers that lead to anxiety among children. Once they are clear about the triggers, they work backwards to tackle the issue at the source with coping mechanisms and counselling with parents. 

Making children aware of their emotions

Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in helping children deal with unexpected situations and circumstances in life. It makes them aware of their innermost emotions and fears and helps them identify ways to overcome the same. Rather than distracting children when they are anxious, it is important to make them feel at ease so that they can open up and discuss freely what they are actually feeling. 

Making learning fun

Preschool teachers take an effort to make learning a fun experience for children. They engage children in a variety of fun-filled activities and games which not only help them learn new concepts but also keep them excited and happy. By doing so, children naturally start developing a love for learning, which ultimately makes them more eager to go to school. 

Creating a nurturing environment

To deal with anxiety and fear, children should be encouraged to try new things. They should be given the freedom to explore their creative mind. Sticking to a textbook method will only limit their real potential. They should be encouraged to ask questions and find answers on their own so that they keep learning without the fear of making mistakes. Teachers should never ridicule any child because of their actions, rather they should give them logical explanations so that they can evaluate what is wrong and what is right on their own. This instills confidence and a sense of responsibility among children. 

Preschool teachers also introduce relaxation techniques that help children calm their minds. They are constantly in touch with parents to make them aware of how their children are faring at school. The best preschools, like Foundree, invest time and effort in understanding the impact of fear in toddlers and ways to deal with them using effective methodologies.

Every interaction that you have with your child is a form of communication. It is not only verbal communication but also non-verbal   communication that conveys messages to your child. The way you communicate teaches your child how to express themselves, shapes their emotional development and is a foundation for building relationships.

Verbal communication includes the words you say, pitch and tone of voice and dialect. Non-verbal communication includes eye contact, facial expressions, hand gestures and physical touch like a hug.

Let us look at a few ways to effectively communicate with your child.

Active listening –

Actively listening helps the child feel heard and understood.When your child is
talking put aside everything and be completely present with them. Encouraging smiles and
affirming nods show that you are engaged with what your child is saying. Looking at them at eye
level helps your child feel safer and connected with you. Asking questions in the middle of the
conversation also shows that you are listening intently to what is being said.

Speaking clearly –

Use language that is easy and age appropriate for your child. Be simple, clear
and specific. Do not use unkind words or derogatory language. Always set your intent on what you
want to convey to your child before speaking. Using positive language helps set an example for
your child. This ensures that the child feels respected and loved.

Explain feelings –

This is very important for your child to develop emotional intelligence. When your child is expressing his/her feelings, listen to what they have to say with empathy and without
judgement. Put yourself in their shoes and try to see their viewpoint. Help them to express their
feelings in words such as happy, relaxed, proud, sad, hungry, angry, embarrassed etc. This helps
to understand their emotions and feelings distinctively.

Leading by example –

This is very important as parents are a child's introduction to the world.

What your child sees you do is as important as what they hear you say. Only make a promise to
your child that you are sure you can keep. This helps to build and maintain trust between you and
your child. Children also observe how parents behave with others and this sets an example for
their social interactions in future.

Focus on behaviour –

If you’re upset about the behaviour of your child, make sure that your
criticism and comments is directed towards that behaviour and not towards the child. For example
instead of, “ I don't like that you are messy” can be reframed into, “ I don't like when you leave your toys all over the floor”. This will ensure that the child corrects that behaviour without feeling resistant or bitter.

Having fun together –

Talk with your child about the days activities, different topics such as TV
programmes, videos, games, books and toys. Involve them in day to day activities and also ask
them their views and thoughts regarding different subjects. This way children will learn easily by
taking in information through daily interactions and experiences around them.
Go ahead and build strong communication skills in your child in a joyful manner.

A preschool is the first stepping stone of a child into a world out of home. It is the ideal setting for laying the groundwork for a child’s future success. Children develop a strong foundation in social, emotional, physical, academic and life skills during preschool which helps them succeed in school and beyond.

Let us look at the different reasons why a preschool is important and what role it plays in a child’s complete development.

Creativity and Curiosity

Young children are curious, ask questions and love to explore the environment around them. They also have creative ideas and imagination. Preschool activities such as beading, art and craft, field trips and free play help develop creativity.

Social skills

Till the age of 3 a child spends most of his life with his parents and immediate family. At preschool children spend extended periods of time with other children and people who are not members of their families. The child learns how to make friends, collaborate, listen and develop conversational skills with strangers. They also learn how to interact with others, how to share and how to conduct themselves in a socially appropriate manner.

Language skills

The cooing and babbling is now slowly getting replaced by words and meaningful sentences. Language rich setting in a preschool helps child by introducing new vocabulary and asking them thought provoking questions. Preschoolers thus learn to speak effectively because they have many opportunities to explore new things, read books, act out stories, singing and also communicate with their peers and teachers.

Cognitive skills

Preschool curriculum involves participation in activities that encourage children to try new things, solve problems, ask questions and observe the world around them. These activities are targeted towards enhancing the cognitive skills of a child thus enabling them to learn more.

Motor skills

Fine motor and gross motor development are one of the major skills that a child should acquire. These skills stay with them for life and help them in various activities. Preschool activities such as lacing, reading, cutting, sticking, throwing, painting, running and outdoor play encourages developing fine and gross motor development. These activities provide opportunities for children to challenge themselves and enhance their skills.

Pre-literacy skills

In preschool teachers use a variety of games and activities to develop pre- literacy skills. Rhymes help to discriminate between different sounds. Stories helps to develop fundamental life skills in a fun way. Introduction of alphabets, words and numbers are a prerequisite for language and math skills. Children develop a sense of joy and motivation to learn new things.

Foundree is the best preschool in Mumbai and Pune. Foundree offers a premium educational experience for your child wherein the development and growth of each child is taken into consideration and the best learning experience is given to them. They strive to build a strong foundation that ensures academic success and overall growth. Foundree also offers a wonderful new program for the benefit of the children – Start Early. In this program the academic year commences in the month of January itself and hence the child starts classroom learning early. The child’s period of settlement also begins early day thereby facilitating better social skills as well as enhanced academic knowledge. Go ahead and aim for all-round development of your child by choosing the best preschool.