Ready Start School! Nurturing and Guiding Your Child Through Preschool & Kindergarten

by Rief, Sandra F.

• ISBN13: 9780735202993
• ISBN10: 0735202990
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-09-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall Press

Summary

For parents about to enter their young children in school for the first time, this book offers practical guidance on nurturing their child's development and includes numerous strategies, games, and activities that are educationally sound as well as enjoyable for ongoing school success.

Table of Contents

Introduction	vii
The Critical Role of Parents in Their Child's Education	xv
PART 1 What Parents Need to Know About Their 3- to 5-Year-Olds
Developmental Milestones of 3- to 5-Year-Olds	3	(6)
Enrolling Your Child in Kindergarten or Waiting Another Year	9	(2)
What Are General Kindergarten Readiness Skills?	11	(5)
What Schools Expect of Kindergartners by the End of the School Year	16	(11)
PART 2 Creating a Learning Environment Where Children Feel Confident
The Most Important Gifts You Can Give Your Young Child	27	(5)
Creating a Home Environment That Encourages Success	32	(3)
Building Your Child's Confidence and Self-Esteem	35	(3)
Protecting and Influencing Your Impressionable Young Child	38	(3)
What Are Learning Styles?	41	(3)
Recognizing and Nurturing Your Child's Strengths and Interests	44	(2)
The Importance of Music, Art, and Movement/Dance Activities	46	(3)
Developmentally Appropriate Games, Books, Songs, Manipulatives, and Other Activities/Resources	49	(8)
Valuable Resources for Parents (Note: Includes web sites)	57	(12)
PART 3 Advice on Social, Behavioral, and Discipline Issues
Communicating So Your Child Will Listen Better and Pay Attention	69	(3)
How to Prepare Your Child for the Social and Behavioral Expectations of School	72	(3)
Effective Behavioral Strategies and Positive Discipline Practices	75	(6)
Developing Your Child's Problem-Solving Skills and Ability to Get Along with Others	81	(3)
Preventing Behavioral Problems at Home and Other Places	84	(5)
Tips for Parenting Challenging Children	89	(6)
PART 4 Everything a Parent Needs to Know on How Children Learn to Read
Language and Literacy: The Buildings Blocks of School Success	95	(4)
What Is Phonemic and Phonological Awareness?	99	(3)
Playing with Sounds and Language	102	(5)
Helping Your Child Learn the Alphabet	107	(6)
What Research Says About Preventing Reading Difficulties	113	(7)
What to Expect in the Emergent and Beginning Levels of Reading Development	120	(7)
Getting Them Off to a Good Start: Strategies for Developing Emergent and Beginning Reading Skills	127	(3)
What Good Readers Do---Positive Reading Behaviors	130	(3)
The Importance of Read-Alouds and Shared Reading: Strategies for Reading to and with Your Child	133	(8)
Building Vocabulary and Comprehension Skills	141	(4)
How to Ask Questions That Guide Your Child in Developing Good Reading Habits and Thinking Skills	145	(3)
Beginning Phonics, Word Recognition, and Word Study Skills	148	(9)
PART 5 Getting Your Child Organized and Ready for Writing, Math, and Homework
What to Expect in the Emergent and Beginning Levels of Writing Development	157	(3)
Getting Them Off to a Good Start: Strategies for Developing Emergent and Beginning Writing Skills	160	(4)
Strategies for Building Fine Motor and Prewriting/Writing Skills	164	(4)
Beginning Number and Mathematical Concepts	168	(3)
Helping Your Child Develop Critical Math Skills and Concepts	171	(5)
Beginning Time Awareness and Organizational Skills	176	(3)
The Value and Purpose of Homework	179	(4)
PART 6 What to Do if You Suspect Your Child Has a Developmental Delay or Disability
Children with Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorders, and Others Special Needs	183	(18)
When You Are Concerned About Your Child's Development	201	(6)
Working with Your Child's School: A Team Approach	207	(8)
PART 7 What the Experts Say
Advice for Parents from Interviews with Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers and Directors	215	(16)
Additional Resources by the Author	231	(2)
Index	233