Follow a structured or unschooling format. Decide on days and times for schooling. Turn off the phone and ask friends and family members not to contact you during school time. Unschoolers take advantage of teachable moments, capitalizing on the child's interest in a particular area. Make a chart listing specific skill sets to work on to evaluate progress along the way.
Plan activities that develop fine and gross motor skills. Fine motor skills develop small movements. Practice drawing with crayons and pencils, painting, and cutting with scissors. Mold play dough and glue projects together. Assemble puzzles and manipulate zippers, buttons and snaps. Gross motor skills are large muscle group activities such as alternating feet on stairs, galloping, hopping and jumping, balancing on each foot. Run and play ball games.
Make a game out of finding shapes in everyday objects in your indoor and outdoor environment for math readiness. Practice counting three objects or more, as well as counting out loud to number 5. Draw a simple pattern and practice drawing and recognizing pattern sequences. TeachersandFamilies.com offers printable activities.
Introduce your child to the arts, including music, art, science and social studies. Sing, dance, and play simple instruments. Practice making rhythms with percussion instruments such as triangles, bells, shakers and drums. Paint, color and draw art projects. Use science concepts such as pouring, sifting and sorting while cooking or playing in the sand.
Spark interest in reading. Provide tasks such as following a story, listening and following left to right. Play games with objects to identify same or different. Help the child recognize her own name as well as words printed up, down and under. Help your 3-year-old learn six basic colors--red, blue, yellow, orange, green and purple--in books and in his surrounding environment.
Encourage improved social interaction and emotional regulation. Join a playgroup or hold your own to encourage cooperative playing and sharing. Assist your child in taking turns and demonstrating self control over feelings. Instruct her to follow simple directions and take responsibility for her space and property. Offer praise for doing well as well as for good effort to increase positive self image.