Everyday Adventures for 3 to 5-year olds
Reading books together
The more time children spend looking at books the easier it will be for them to learn to read and write when they go to school.
It is useful for children to have books within their reach at home for them to choose and look at by themselves.
Reading books together is not only good for their reading and writing skills but it is also a great bonding activity.
Develop hands, wrists and fingers
It is important for children to develop the muscles in their hands/wrists/fingers so that they are ready to begin writing when they go to school. Some great ways to do this are:
- playing with playdough,
- threading beads onto string,
- having a go at opening packets for themselves,
- singing songs that require hand actions.
Thinking out loud
It helps children to develop their thinking and talking skills if they hear adults thinking out loud. This helps them see how adults figure out problems and will also introduce them to new words.
For example, “I need to do the food shopping and take the dog for a walk, but I only have an hour until my doctor’s appointment. I know, I will do the food shopping after the appointment as that might take longer than an hour.”
Independence
Appreciating numbers and time
It helps children to recognise numbers if they are pointed out in the environment, such as clocks, buses, front doors, on the microwave etc. Children often like to find “their” number for how old they are.