Beyond the Classroom

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Here are some ideas for families to do with their child to reinforce skills they are learning in school.


Activities for Developing Gross Motor Skills
 
Balancing-develops control and coordination
*walk along chalk line or string
*climb steps by walking on knees with
hands in the air
 
Crawling-develops coordination
*crawl through an obstacle course
*treasure hunt crawl-find things that are
in line a vision
 
Climbing-strenghten muscles
*climb over, up, down things
 
Hopping-helps gain body control and balance
*Around obstacles
*into/out of hoops
*along stepping stones
 
Jumping-develops overall gross motor skills
*over objects
*jump and touch suspended objects
 
Pushing-Pulling-develops control over objects
*tug of war
 
Kicking, Running, Skipping, & walking-strengthens muscles
 
 
 
 
 
    

Illustration: Jogging in the park
 
Motor Skill Development
 
Sites on Developing Motor Skills


Block

Reading Activities
     There is still nothing better than reading with a child, the benefits are endless.  By reading with a child you are: modeling what a good reader looks and sounds like, increasing their vocabulary, developing print awareness, helping them learn about the world around them, and most importantly you are spending quality time with your child. The following are activities for you to extend the reading experience.
 
*Make a stamp about your favorite story character.
Encourage your child to have the stamp reflect what they
have learned about the character from reading.
 
*Make a journal and have your child write and draw about what
they have read, done on vacations, or make their own story.
 
*Write a new ending to a story.
 
*Create a story flag that reflects what the story was about.
 
*Make a mask of your favorite character using paper plates.
 
*Make a puppet out of a paper bag or sock and put on a
show for your family.

Choose a picture from the Gallery

Books

Choose a picture from the Gallery
 

Read, Read, Read

I read a book at home.
Return the coupon with your name
on it for a weekly
drawing and a trip to Mrs. Barber's
Treasure Box.
 
 
Name____________________________________
 
Choose a picture from the Gallery
Show a print version



Line Art Pencil

Writing Ideas for Home

 

*pick a picture from a magazine or
newspaper and write a story about it

 

 *write out shopping and to do lists

 

*write thank you cards for gifts

 

*write a letter to family members and friends

 

*help fill out holiday and birthday cards