Author Description

The first 5 years of a child's life are a time of tremendous physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth. Noting that research shows that children are more likely to succeed in learning when their families actively support them, this booklet is intended for families and caregivers who want to help their preschool children learn and develop the skills necessary for success in school-and in life. The major portion of the booklet contains simple activities for use with children. Activities for infants include developing trust. For toddlers, activities include playing with puppets and using objects as musical instruments. For preschoolers, activities include getting along, rhymes, and matching sounds and letters. The booklet also offers suggestions for improving the transition to kindergarten, monitoring children's television viewing, and choosing child care. The booklet concludes with a 21-item bibliography and a "ready-for-school" checklist.