The Kinder Korner
Each week we feature information to assist parents of pre-school children in areas of school readiness.
Kindergarten readiness involves many things. This week we will focus on children’s names. While working with your preschooler at home, it is important that she is able to recognize, read, write, and spell her name.It is preferred that children are taught to write their name using first letter capital and the rest lowercase, e.g. Gabe. However, children should be able to recognize their name in capital as well as lowercase.
The following are some playful and engaging activities to help you in this endeavor.
Name puzzles. Write your child’s name on a small piece of poster board. Even paper will work. Cut her name apart between each letter. Help your child practice building her name puzzle. Ask her to name each letter as she places it into the puzzle.
Labeling. Help your child label her clothing, toys and books. Talk to her about how having her name on her things helps others to know whom the items belong. Be sure to call her attention to her name each time you read the book or play with the toy or fold the clothing. Remember the most important way to help a child to recognize his/her name is to make sure he/she sees it in print often.
Name posters. Help your child create a name poster for her bedroom. In advance write or print her name in bubble letters then help your child to color in the letters. She can also decorate her poster with stickers, pictures, etc. Children will love seeing their name art hung for others to see.
Name shirts. T-shirts with her own name printed on the front can be worn as an opportunity for others to ask her about it. Children love to show off their names! These can be purchased or made using fabric paint.
Name practice. Remember to have them practice writing their name often. (Don’t forget: all the wonderful ways to practice writing the alphabet can be used here too, such as shaving cream, sand/salt tray, pudding bag, finger paint, etc.) Children should say the name of each letter as they are writing it.
Name Scramble. Using letter refrigerator magnets, have your child unscramble and spell her name before she gets something to drink or eat. Once she is adept at her first name have her work on at least recognizing her last name as well. Foam bathtub letters work well for this too!
Name to go. Keep a cookie sheet and some magnetic letters in the car. Write your child’s name on a piece of construction paper and place it on the cookie sheet. Your child can spell her name by copying what she sees on the paper.
There are so many ideas to help your child learn his or her name. Labels can be put on most anything. Seeing it in print is crucial. However, hearing it is very helpful as well. Spell your child’s name often. Instead of just calling him by name say his name and then spell it: “John, J-o-h-n, it is time for supper.”
As with any of the ideas we have previously shared with you, any amount of time and attention you are able to pay to your child in helping her practice particular skills helps your child to know that these skills are important. If you are vested, she in turn will be too. Make it FUN!