Parents often ask what they can do to help their children at home. Here are some suggestions on how you can support your child's learning.
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Let your child know how much you love and value him/her.
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Provide opportunities for your child to see you reading, both for enjoyment and for information.
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Read to your child every day. Children love to hear their favorite stories over and over again. Get a library card and go to the library weekly. Discuss the books after you read them.
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See if your child can retell stories in their own words. Encourage them to tell you what happened at the beginning, middle and at the end.
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Encourage your child to ask questions. Answer them in language your child can understand.
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Talk with your child about daily activities, trips, and special events that happen in your child's life.
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Display your child's school work in a prominent place.
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Take your child as many places as possible -- shopping, the zoo, the airport, local parks, etc.
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Encourage your child to wash, dress, and take care of his/her personal needs.
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Teach your child to tie their own shoes.
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Teach your child their birth date, address and phone number.
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Limit the time your child watches television.
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Provide rules that are fair, reasonable, and easy for your child to understand.
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Sing songs and say nursery rhymes.
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Play games (card games and board games as well as outside games)
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Count objects together.
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Play rhyming games in the car
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Have your child practice counting to 100.
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Point out words in the grocery store for your child to read.
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Encourage your child to make simple patterns with toys or cereal.
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Have your child help you sort laundry.
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Point out coins and practice naming them and their value.
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Do projects that involve coloring and cutting.
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Increase fine motor skills by having your child lace or pick up small things. Beads and play dough are good examples. These skills will help develop the coordination your child uses for writing.