Kindergarden Readiness Help

[Countrygal]

I have not read all of the posts, so apologize ahead of this is all repeat of what everyone has already mentioned.

Writing in sand (or flour or cornmeal - whatever you have)
Cutting! It's great for fine motor and kids love to do it.
Pre-writing worksheets abound online. Curves, points, shapes, etc. I'll try to post a link. They really need these, IMO, before they can write legibly, including their name.
Drawing, pasting, painting - all good.
Marker coloring in coloring book - most of my kids don't like to color, but let them use a marker and they LOVE it!

Prewriting worksheets: HERE, HERE and tons more if you just search "prewriting worksheets". Most are free.

Cutting sheets: HERE, HERE and tons more. Google "cutting practice worksheets"

Lacing cards, lacing beads, puzzles, games like "Don't spill the beans" which require some hand/eye coordination.

gluing and pasting, especially filling in something - like we made a cotton ball sheep.

Mazes - all of my kids love mazes.

I know there are hundreds more. Hope these ideas help a little!

[daycare]

I just bought supper sorting pie from amazon..

its good for sorting counting and color recon and developing fine motor skills
the kids love it

[Willow]

http://livingmontessorinow.com/2011/12/19/montessori-monday-inexpensive-and-diy-sandpaper-letters/

There is a link towards to bottom where it talks about DIY with cardstock and "glitter" cardstock - those are the ones I made and they were sooooo easy.

You'd use them primarily to trace with fingers (hence the texture of the sandpaper/glitter cardstock), but I let the kids trace them with q-tips also. It's a novelty once tracing with fingers gets old and teaches them to control an implement while building memory of the strokes needed to write the letters.

[SunshineMama]

http://livingmontessorinow.com/2011/...paper-letters/


There is a link towards to bottom where it talks about DIY with cardstock and "glitter" cardstock - those are the ones I made and they were sooooo easy.

You'd use them primarily to trace with fingers (hence the texture of the sandpaper/glitter cardstock), but I let the kids trace them with q-tips also. It's a novelty once tracing with fingers gets old and teaches them to control an implement while building memory of the strokes needed to write the letters.

Thanks! I like the idea of it also being a sensory building activity.

[Crystal]

I am trying to help a 4.5 year old dcb get ready for Kindergarden. According to our state standards, he needs to be able to write his name.

I hate worksheets, but figure 5-10 minutes of practice per day will help him get ready. I printed some sheets where he could trace the letters of his name. The problem I am having, is that he is unable to even trace. I am trying to think of some fine motor skill activities to help him strengthen his fingers so he will be able to write better.

1. Do you have any good finemotor skill activities you would share that would help?

2. Any other ideas on how I can help him get ready for kinder? Thanks!

First, I would offer crayons for writing/drawing. It requires him to use the muscles in his hands more, as he will have to press harder to make a mark.

I would make name cards for all of the children, with their photos on them. Leave these in basket next to a stack of paper and basket of crayons. I would have these accessible at all times.

Make blank books.....folded construction paper and printer paper, stapled and encourage the children to write/draw their. I would also dictate their stories for them, as they tell you the story write the words in the book. This way they make the connection that printed letters make words.

Set up a sign-in station just for the children. Each day at arrival, have them sign in. This is a good place to keep the name/photo cards, so that those that are interested can really write their names. Some of the children will just make scribble marks, but this is one of my kids FAVORITE things to do and they really learn much more quickly how to write thier names, because they are doing a "grown up" thing, like their parents. It's cool to keep each days pages too, because you can see the emergent handwriting over the course of weeks/months.

Place clipboards with paper and a pen or pencil that is TIED on, in various areas. Encourage the children to write/draw about their experiences: block area...drwa their building after it is complete OR draw a "blueprint" before they build. Dramatic PLay - use for taking orders, making lists, writing "prescriptions" at the doctors, etc.

As for more fine motor activites:

wire and beads to make bead sculptures-this requires the bending/twisting of the wire

CLAY....not playdough. Clay is much firmer and requires much more pressing/pushing/etc. AND given a little water, they can actually WRITE in it

legos....LITTLE legos

unifix cubes

eye droppers or medicine droppers - one of our favorite activities with these (just did it yesterday, again!) is using a LARGE clear bowl or container, filled 2/3 with water and then putting a very thick layer of shaving cream on top. Put out a few bowls of liquid water colors or food coloring and allow the children to use the medicine/eye droppers to drip the coloring onto the shaving cream....as it drops through the shaving cream and into the water, they can watch the colors blend to make new colors

fill glue bottles 2/3 with glue and add liquid water colors or food dye.Mix well to create colored glue. Provide HEAVY carboard and let them use the glue as much as they want. They don't need anything else but the glue. It makes awesome abstract art and they have to use their hands extensively to get the glue out. This can also be done as on wax paper instead of carboard, add a little glitter after they put the glue on the wax paper. When it dries, it can be peeled off and makes GREAT Christmas ornaments!

Collage.....again, lots of glue and lots of little pieces of stuff to glue on to heavy paper or cardboard.

Scissors.....they cut newspaper, coupons, yarn, fabric, etc.

Have them help sharpen pencils

I will try to come up with some more ideas for you!

[daycare]

Set up a sign-in station just for the children. Each day at arrival, have them sign in.


crystal this is a great one.......


ever since I have done this, the kids have really gotten GREAT at name writing. I have the parents help them with this in the morning after they take off their shoes.

Since we don't throw them out, you can see the progress in the folder over the months. AMAZING..parents love it, the kids feel important and I love looking at it too.....