Help your preschooler with number identification by engaging him in a game of Go Fish. Remove the face cards from a deck of cards. Shuffle the deck and deal seven cards to each of you. Place the remaining cards in a facedown pile between the two of you. Help him sort through his and your cards to see if there are any matching pairs; if there are, remove them and begin playing. You go first, to model how the game is played. Ask your child if he has a particular number card in his hand. If he does, he must give you the card; if he doesn't, you draw a card from the facedown pile. If a match is created when you either collect his card or draw a card from the pile, remove the match from your hand and allow him to take a turn. The first person left with no more cards wins in this friendly competition. Of course, offer help if he needs it.
This is a noncompetitive game that will provide your child with writing practice and shape recognition. Draw a simple shape on a piece of paper. Ask your child if she can identify the shape and then draw it herself. Add color recognition practice by drawing different-colored shapes, having your child identify the color and name of the shape and then asking her to locate a crayon in the same color to draw with.
Promote problem-solving skills by going on a scavenger hunt with your child. Write up a list of basic items and draw a picture of each item next to the word: a leaf, an acorn, a flower and a rock, for example. Give your child a bag and show him the list of items. Point to each word on the list as you read it, and point to the image -- this will help to foster word recognition. As your child finds each item, put it in the bag and cross it off the list.
Help your preschooler with language development and letter, shape and color recognition with this simple game. State a color, a shape or a letter. After hearing the color, shape or letter, your child has to name an object that corresponds with what was said. For example, if you say the color blue, he may say the sky, the ocean or name something in the room. Have him state a letter, shape or color and you name an object that corresponds with what he says.