Thoughtful Thursday

Should preschoolers have homework?

This is the question being asked on the latest BAM Radio Network show: “Should You Be Assigning Homework in Preschool?” by Rae Pica along with Etta Kralovec and Dr. Ann Barbour.

After a long day at school what young children in preschool need most is time relaxing and interacting with mom, dad and other family members. The preschool years are an important time for bonding with family and their time together should be respected.

If you are wanting to provide any kind of “homework”, below are some suggestions for everyday activities that parents can do at home to help their child build the skills needed for success in school.
Here are a few simple ideas…

• Promote independence by helping your preschooler develop skills such as dressing himself, washing hands, going potty, putting on coats, and feeding himself.
• Build communication skills by talking with your preschooler often and encouraging your preschooler to ask questions or express his views on topics.
• Promote an interest in literacy by reading with your preschooler- read simple books, signs in the grocery store, the back of a cereal box, street signs, and so on.
• Promote social skills by inviting friends over so your preschooler will develop their ability to share, work out conflicts, and play positively with his or her peers.
• Promote decision making skills by letting your child choose from a menu at a restaurant.
• Promote problem solving skills by letting your child figure out how to open a container or how to do other things without your help.
• Promote organizational skills by letting your child put away his own toys.

Go and take a listen to the BAM Radio Network show and see what you think!