Preschool thinking skills      

Syndicated column from The Parent Institute

[JULY 6, 2006]  Q: My daughter is still in preschool, but I would like know how I can help her start to develop her thinking ability?

A: You're right -- thinking skills are important, even for a preschooler. There are many ways you can help your daughter develop those critical skills every day. For example:

• Read a story such as "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." Afterward, ask some basic questions about the story: What was the story about? Why did the bears leave their home?

• Ask your daughter to retell stories in her own words or to make up her own stories about what she sees.

• Help your daughter practice sequencing after trips to the store or park. Have your child tell what happened first, second and so on.

• Ask your daughter to compare and sort things by size, color, texture, sound and shape.

• Play "detective" with your daughter: Tell her you are thinking of a story. Choose one she is very familiar with. Then give her a clue, such as, "There are three animals in the story." Now encourage her to ask you questions until she figures out what the story is. A good question could be, "What kind of animals?" Or, "Are the animals bears?"

• Give her a topic and brainstorm. For example, ask, "What are some things you can do in the snow?" When she gives you an answer, encourage her to act it out. Examples: pretending to build a snowman, pretending to go sledding.

• Make up riddles together. Make them up about something outside, in the house or about your child herself. For example, say, "I am below your eyes and above your mouth. What am I?" Encourage her to guess until she gets the right answer. As a bonus, this activity also helps her learn concepts like above and below.

• Sharpen her observation skills. Watch pigeons, squirrels, butterflies, ants or spiders. Help her see the purpose of what they are doing. Are they looking for food? Together, look at things under a magnifying glass.

• Introduce your daughter to the broader world. Your child needs to know that there is life outside her own experience. Increase her curiosity about the world by exposing her to many different experiences. Take her to a working farm, a zoo, concerts, puppet shows, museums, national parks and festivals. Make it your goal to do one of these activities at least once a month.

[The Parent Institute]

For more information about helping children learn or to submit your own question, go to http://advisor.parent-institute.com. All questions will receive a prompt answer by e-mail.

Copyright 2006, The Parent Institute

"Ask the Learning Advisor -- Ideas for Raising Successful Children" is a free, syndicated column from the Parent Institute.