Kindergarten students learn the basics of reading and continue strengthening those skills throughout the year. Many classrooms use trade books that are assigned reading levels. To give each student extra reading practice, send home a book each week that matches that child's reading level. Encourage parents to read the book with the child throughout the week. For an extension, add an activity that relates to the book, such as drawing a picture related to the story. At the end of the week, the kids return the book and activity.
Writing skills are also a large component of the kindergarten curriculum. Encourage writing practice at home with homework assignments. Instead of making the task boring and difficult, choose entertaining writing activities. A family writing journal is one option. Parents and kids write in the journal together about activities they do at home. Another option is to send home a picture and encourage the kids to write about the picture. Even free drawing helps develop the fine motor skills needed to hold and manipulate the pencil for writing.
While not directly related to the academic curriculum, students need to learn their personal information for their own safety. Data like full name, address, phone number and birth date is essential for kindergarten students to learn. Focus on one piece of information each month to give the students plenty of time to practice. As homework, ask the parents to practice that month's information with their children. The extra practice helps the child learn her information faster.
Kindergarten classes often include rhymes, songs or finger plays to encourage language development. One way to help the kids practice these classroom activities is to teach them to their families. Assign the task to teach a particular rhyme or song to parents and siblings. Not only do the kids get more practice at language development but this activity also encourages the families to spend time together doing something enjoyable.
If you use file folder games or similar homemade games in the kindergarten classroom, send them home with the kids for more practice. Place all pieces of the game into a large plastic zipper bag to keep them contained. Include clear directions with the game so the families are able to play the games easily. Games that deal with letters, words or math concepts work well as homework.