my daughter is starting pre-k should she....

Jane - posted on 08/05/2010

Start with tracing her name, then make it a dot-to-dot type activity, by writing her name in dots for her to connect. Then move to writing it herself.

But seriously, at pre-K, they aren't all developmentally ready to tackle academia. Some lack the fine-motor skills to be able to do so. Colored beads and string to make necklaces (even Froot Loops) are a great idea for both fine motor and color identification skills, as well as pre-Math activities if you use patterns of the color.

Angie - posted on 08/05/2010

Go online and print off a worksheet with her name that she can see and write properly. It's important for her not only to be able to spell it but to write it properly. Try this website and see if it helps. http://www.printactivities.com/Tracing.h...

Jenifer - posted on 08/05/2010

Thank you for all your wonderful helpful suggestions! I know theses will help her.
I love the creative ideas. thanks again
Jenifer

Gena - posted on 08/04/2010

My son did not go to preschool so when we signed him up for kindergarten in our district he needs to be able to write his first name for class. So he got a special folder, pencil & paper to pratice his name. He has school time each day & he would write his first & last name. At first he would trace it after I wrote it then write it himself. Didn't take long before he caught right on. The trick is to make it fun. My first son did go to pre-school (called B4K in our district) he was 5 when he went & didn't know how to write his name, but that was why I sent him. It's not required they attend pre-school so if you send them there clueless they will learn.

J - posted on 08/04/2010

My DD went to pre-K last year and learned alpha&numerals at a pace that this age group understands. This is why she'll attend PreK. If you have any concerns talk to her teachers, she'll be fine, My daughter was among many children in the class that were not adept with crayons and pencils, by the end of the year she has tested well with her age group. Don't sweat it! unless you feel like she's lagging behind, then again, speak with her teachers -

Jeannine - posted on 08/04/2010

Don't stress about it :D Help her learn her name, and the Pre-K teachers will take her forward, that's their job. I have had first graders struggle with this. I would encourage you to use any opportunity-my own kids love writing in the bath-tub crayons or foam letters that stick with water. You can even make an eye-spy baggie, where you put her letters in the bag along with some other things, so she can look for them while you're in the car, chalk on the sidewalk, sand-my first graders love writing their name in sand-I highly recommend dry erase markers too because she won't be struggling to make the pencil move, just writing. It should all be in play at this age :D

Elaine - posted on 08/04/2010

My son started pre-k when he was 4. He had started practicing writing his name but didn't fully get until about a month into pre-k. I taught Kindergarten for 6yrs and many children came in not knowing how to write their name but they should be able to recognize their name and other things like colors and shapes. Some people do push for their children to learn more at an early age which is fine but I also believe that children should be given the opportunity to play and explore on their own. Sometimes pushing them too hard works in the beginning but then they get frustrated if they can't keep up. I would rather have my children be average learners with good social skills than the brainiest children and no friends!
You can see what your child is capable of doing just by giving her different opportunities with games, crafts, books, pretend play, etc! I do believe that reading every day is SUPER important and putting a special emphasis on that helps them learn even more!
Good Luck and HAVE FUN!

Monica - posted on 08/03/2010

Regardless of what some people may say, being an early reader or speller does not determine how successful they will be in school. These days there is way too much competition between parents to show off what their kids know and don't know.

Before the age of 5, learning should be plain fun. Letters can be taught using finger paints, playdoh, crayons, etc. Be creative and teach her the letters of her name first.

Since she is lucky enough to go to pre-k, you probably don't have to worry so much about it. If I were to choose one thing to help her though, it would be to read to her every day for atleast 15 minutes.

Sheila - posted on 08/03/2010

My daughter is starting kindergarten this year, and we just practiced with her. One thing you should do (which no one ever told me) is that if you are teaching her to write her name, make sure you teach her to write it correctly. First letter capital, remaining letters small. Savannah is still having trouble remembering to do this, it's a real struggle for her.

Kimberly - posted on 08/03/2010

If she is starting pre-k thats one thing they will help her with. Most children don't know how to spell their name when they start so I think she will be okay. If your worried about you can try flash cards and other things along those lines.

Shelley - posted on 08/02/2010

Just spending time with her, writing get her to trace over top of your letter is a good start, each child is different just make it something exciting so that she wants to do it and dont spend too much time on it you dont want her to get sick and tired of it :)

Laura - posted on 08/02/2010

We had practiced with my stepdaughter simply by copying her name on her own. We'd have her trace her name, then try it out on another sheet of paper. It's hard at first, but they get it! Yes we had her practice over a month in advance of starting preschool. They do help them perfect it in school. But, there's no harm in helping before she gets there!!! good luck!

Deanna - posted on 08/02/2010

My 2 year old is learning her colors, shapes, and to identify her numbers and letters. We are working on drawing lines, and shapes as well.
My 4 year old is in kindergarten. She is able to read picture books, write her first and last name, identify her shapes, colors, alphabet, numbers, sort things, put things in a particular order and so on.
My 7 year old is entering the 3rd grade and doing great. She reads at a 6th grade level and understands most of what she reads at that level. At the age of 5 she was reading at a 2nd grade level, writing whole sentences, adding, subtracting, and basically doing 1st grade work.

Personally I am shocked your daughter can't at least write her own name. HOWEVER, in this day and age it is perfectly normal for a child to not be able to. That is why the schools have the no child left behind act is so that children who are behind can catch up. In my state a child starts kindergarten at 5 where they learn everything that my 4 year old is learning now. All I say is try working with your daughter. color with her using a particular color each day, put beads on a string and try to get her to do it in some sort of an order, take a blank sheet of paper each day and write numbers, shapes, or a few letters on it and as her to identify certain ones then let her color them in, (bubble or block shaped) There is so much in everyday life that you can make educational.

good luck and god bless