Write statements of the goals identifying what the children will learn. Start with a kindergarten readiness checklist that identifies the skills a child should have before beginning kindergarten. These include being able tyo cut with scissors; identify and traces basic shapes, letters and numbers; count to 10; identify some alphabet letters; and prints his first and last name
Play music to facilitate the learning of the alphabet, numbers, phonics awareness, as well as engage children in stories. Play such music as "Ten Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed," "One, Two, Tie My Shoe," and "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." Nursery rhymes and preschool music can also be used to represent a daily theme. For example, if you are teaching the letter "A," sing, "The Ants Go Marching" and "Ten Red Apples." Teach the children that apple and ant both start with the letter "A."
Teach colors and shapes, and develop fine motor skills through art. As the children draw or color, talk about the colors they are using and what they look like. Ask the children to identify other objects in the room that are the same color. Shapes also can be taught using this method. Explore the room for squares and triangles. Art is also a good time for preschool children to develop fine motor skills, such as cutting and manipulating small objects like beads and beans. Through painting, working with clays, and other textures children develop multi-sensory awareness that is important to learning.
Teach number identification and counting through daily activities. Count foot steps and silverware as you set the table. Practice counting dots and matching the number of dots that are counted with the numeral. For example, set a cup labeled "six" on the table. Have the children count six straws as they place them in the cup. Children will learn to identify the number six with six counted items. Hopscotch can also be used to teach number identification to preschoolers. Draw a hopscotch board using sidewalk chalk. Label each square one through 10. Have the preschool children call out the name of the number as they maneuver through the hopscotch board. Help them when they do not know.
Teach reading by introducing preschool children to a few of their favorite words, such as their own name and the name of mom, dad or other favorite objects around the house. Learn the alphabet by singing the alphabet song regularly. Play music with the alphabet song and listen to it regularly in the car or during music time. Finally, develop a love of reading by making reading a part of the daily routine. Children will be more excited about reading time if they are able to take turns picking out the books that are read.
Post the alphabet letters and numbers one through 10 somewhere where the children will see them each day. Begin teaching the children to write letters and numbers using hand-over-hand guidance. Be sure that you are teaching them the correct method for printing. Teaching children to print their own name correctly will help prepare them for kindergarten.