Keep the learning fun?

Question

My son is 5 & goes to kindergarten next year. He goes to preschool 2 mornings per wk & I teach him alot at home. I have always kept it fun and played lots of learning games. He is starting to become not as interested so I need new ideas. He still loves math but isn't as interested in reading. He knows several sight words and can sound out many 3 letter words like "hat, dog, car" but doesn't really want to anymore. any ideas for fun games? I dont want to push. I do read to him. He is also a little behind in motor skills. I need some fun cutting activities or any activities to help with fine motor skills. (he has been evaluated & is some behind but doesn't need OT right now)

Thanks for any advice! =0)

Answer 1

Cut playdough, the Kumon books on cutting (found at target) use sensory tables and activities, (Internet search) and don't push the reading that will really come and when he starts k you don't want him to be board.

Start manuscript writing, good tools at the teachers supply store, Let him use his boy learning habits, buildings, puzzles and problem solving. Sometimes this is more important than academic issues.

Sidewalk chalk, paper under the coffee table let him lay on the floor and draw, have him draw a big building on butcher paper and then let him pretend to be Godzilla breaking it down. Draw a huge race track and let him play with his cars. Think like a boy.......

Answer 2

cutting out coupons and tearing paper are two great small motor skills.  He might need a break from learning games - try again in a week with something he's newly interested in. Did he just see Alvin and the Chipmunks?  Involve them somehow - you can find pictures of them online I'm sure and you can print them out and program them with capital and lower case letters - numbers and pictures - let your imagination take you. Or, let your son help you make the games.  good luck and have fun!

Answer 3

Follow the child.  That's my best advice.  Follow the child.  Never forget why they created Kindergartens in the first place.  It wasn't to learn sight words and blend sounds represented by letters to build words, and be interested in something we call math. It was much more profound.

From what you've written, I sense a need to balance pacing with your child with leading him where you'd like him to be.  If you keep his body and mind active, you can't go wrong.  You've tuned in to a lot of his needs, and the preschool probably has some insights as well.  

You're doing fine, your kid sounds like he's doing fine, so relax, pace a little bit with what interests motivate your child, and keep him socially and physically active so that his body, heart and mind are tuned up for the challenges of school life, many of which are social, not academic.

Two things are required for learning how to read:  the access to interesting material that makes sense to the individual learner, and an understanding and more experienced reader as a guide.  That's it.  

You might have to get out of your child's way!  :-)

Answer 4

Try to focus on activities that he will find enjoyable. What things does he really like? Dinosaurs? Cars? Music? Use those subjects to work on other areas. If learning is a game, a fun activity, he will want to continue doing it. If you make it boring or a requirement, something he has to do before he can do something fun, then he will equate learning with a chore.

Teaching and learning don't have to require flash cards or worksheets. If you want to incorporate more literacy into activities, have him use pictures to create his own story. You can cut out pictures together from magazines or newspapers. Then have him tell the story with the pictures. You can ask him questions like "What happened first? Who is that? Where are they going?" etc. to encourage him. You can glue the pictures in order and he can decorate them with crayons, glitter, yarn, whatever you have on hand. When he's done you can punch holes in the pages and use yarn or string to tie it into a book. Next time it's story time, ask him to read you a story - he can read his or any other book he chooses. He's learning to put things in order and predict outcomes. He'll also be using his hands and putting small things together to improve his fine motor skills.

You can also do small motor skills with lacing games. You can make your own with cardboard or laminated paper and shoe laces or yarn with tape wrapped on the end to make a tip. Make them different shapes and colors. Again, think about what he likes, animals, colors, etc. and make them different sizes. Start out with big shapes with only a few holes and then make it smaller with more holes and more fine motor work. You can also do the same with big buttons, thread bobbins, and beads with yarn. He can match the colors, sort them by size or shape, and then work on those finger motions.

Like I said, keep the activities fun, no pressure on him to 'succeed' or do it right. Just have fun with him and follow his lead. He'll get there in plenty of time.