Everyday Play by Christy Isbell Read Free Book Online Page B

paper to cut out.
    Note: Many four-year-olds will draw a square or shape other than a diamond, which will work fine for this project.
    • Show her how to put the matching “diamonds” together using a stapler or tape.
    • Help her cut a piece of yarn or string for the kite tail and punch a hole at the bottom of the kite.
    • Invite your child to thread the yarn through the hole and help her tie a knot to secure it.
    • Next, help her cut another piece of string to fly the kite with. Punch a hole at the top of the kite, thread the yarn through the hole, and tie a knot.
    • Encourage her to hold onto the kite string and run around to “fly” her kite inside or outside.
More Fun!
    • Set out markers and other materials for her to decorate her kite.

Making a Collage
    Gives your child experience using scissors, and
experimenting with various materials
What You Need
    variety of materials to cut or tear, including construction paper, greeting cards, junk mail, foil, tissue paper, wrapping paper, and newspaper | poster board or oak tag cut in half- or quarter-pieces | glue sticks and school glue | child-safe scissors
What to Do
    • Talk to your child about how to make a collage.
    • Set out the various materials and encourage him to choose, cut and tear, then glue the materials to the poster board or oak tag to make his own collage.
    • Find a prominent place to display the collages that he makes.
More Fun!
    • Provide collage items that do not need to be cut, such as cotton balls, small pom-poms, felt scraps, pieces of yarn, and ribbon.

Polka-Dot Shapes
    Gives your child experience cutting with scissors and
improves her grasp strength
What You Need
    construction paper cut in half, 5” x 7” index cards, or 5” x 7” cardstock | marker | 1-hole punch
What to Do
    • Using a marker, draw a large shape (at least 4” across) on a piece of paper. Make sure the lines of the shape are close to the edges of the paper.
    • Show your child a 1-hole punch and how to use it, and then have her try it herself.
    • Encourage her to punch holes along the edge of the shape.
More Fun!
    • Use the hole punch to create simple lines or letters.
    • Use the “polka-dot shape” as a template. Show your child how to place the “polka-dot shape” on another piece of paper and use markers to color in each hole. Lift the template to see the shape. Connect the dots to form the shape.

Chapter 5
    I’m Ready for Kindergarten!
    Your five-year-old is becoming more confident in her ability to use tools and materials like scissors, tape, glue, and hole-punches. As she reaches her sixth birthday, she may have established a consistent grasp pattern that she will use for holding writing utensils and for self-care tasks. During the year, she may also develop a growing interest in writing as a form of self-expression, learning how to write her name and other letters of the alphabet that are relevant to her, such as letters for the words “mom” and “dad.”
     
     
    At age five, your child may be interested in learning how to:
    • Draw a person with facial features, limbs, and other details (proportions are unrealistic)
    • Build steps with small blocks
    • Imitate drawing a diamond shape
    • Write his first name and a few letters (may include letter omissions and/or letter reversals—letters may not be in a straight line)
    • Create symbolic representations of objects with clay or playdough (may not resemble the real objects)
    • Create symbolic representations of objects through drawing or painting (may not resemble the real objects)
    • Sign and label drawings (may include inventive spelling, letter omissions, and/or letter reversals)
    • Lace shoes
    • Use a knife to spread/apply butter, jelly, and so on
    • Put together puzzles of at least six pieces
    • Use scissors to cut out small shapes and various designs (approximately 1” across)

    • Use scissors to cut non-paper materials such as yarn or tape
    • Use tools