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What skills are young children struggling with? + Solutions and activities
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items From reddit, Linked In, Facebook, to Instagram teachers are sharing their struggles in the classroom. One of my main goals is to help parents help their children feel prepared for the classroom. This helps the child with their learning, teachers be a...
Sections
4
Parent/Teacher Resources
Fine Motor Skills
Active Listening and Following Directions
Life Skills
Parent/Teacher Resources
I love a good article and doing research! Here are some of my fun reads I come across that inspire my activities and boost my joy of helping parents, teachers, and children feel confident
They're struggling with active listening, following instructions, fine motor skills (scissors, pencils, pens, crayons), life skills (putting on jackets independently, tying shoes, using the bathroom), and social skills (sharing, taking turns, working...
Young Kids Are Struggling With Skills Like Listening, Sharing, and Using Scissors
Teaching financial literacy in fun ways children can understand? Yes please! I love how user friend and child centered this app is!
Building a financially-free future for all | Kiddie Kredit
I love the collection and book selection MeJa Books Shop has! From books about black and brown characters to books written and illustrated by black and brown people. This is one of my go-to book shops
MiJa Books Shop
Fine Motor Skills
How do you help learners build their hand muscles and fine motor skills? Try these activities and resources
It's easier to create when you don't have to worry about sharpening your pencils or watching them break halfway through your project. I love these and have been using the same set for 2 years
Crayola Twistable Colored Pencils 18ct
I've gone through two sets this year - I use them that much! These are my go to gifts for others too. I love how smooth the color comes out and the best part is they dont break! This is a great solution if your child pushes too hard on their regular ...
Crayola 24ct Mini Twistables Crayons
I love these for 2 reasons. 1- no more LOST CAPS! 2 - children love having the extra step of pushing and clicking the button. There's something soothing about knowing your marker is ready to go
Crayola 10ct Clicks Retractable Markers
Look I haven't met a child who doesn't like to use smelly markers. I love when these are mixed up with regular markers and you hear them say “wait this smells! I wonder if the others color smell too” Before you know it they have an entire masterpiece
Crayola 12pk Silly Scents Smash Ups Wedge Tip Scented Markers
Classic marker set when you need some beautiful bold lines. Your child might like using these when they have a lot of space to cover
Crayola Markers Broad Line 10ct Classic
I always keep a thin set with my markers for writing fine print of adding tiny details. Thinner markers require children to use different hand muscles and focus a little more
Crayola 10ct Ultra-Clean Washable Markers Fine Line Classic Colors
Depending on your child's skills these might be able to help with their hand eye coordination. The larger beads are easier for them to string. If you want to challenge them use some regular beads and string or regular beads and pipe cleaners
Melissa & Doug Primary Lacing Beads - Educational Toy With 30 Wooden Beads and 2 Laces
I love this because you can slide the letters around to show the word you want them to practice. It keeps all the letters and writing pieces in on place and you don't have to worry about looking around for materials. It also includes the writing line...
Fisher-Price Learn to Write Slide Writer
Another bead activity to help with hand eye coordination, fine motor skills, shapes, and seeing numbers in different ways
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Lacing Beads - Educational Activity With 27 Beads and 2 Laces
I love seeing what creative ways they build with this set. A bonus is this helps them with their critical thinking, visualizing, and fine motor skills
51PCS Kids Wooden Educational Tool Set for Boys Girls, Montessori Toys for 3 4 5 6 Year Old, Learning Construction Toys, Christmas Birthday Gift
Glue is a MUST! Yes, it's messy. Yes it's sticky and with practice they will get the hang of it. Help them out BEFORE they get to school and let them practice controlling how much glue they use, when to stop, how to squeeze the glue, and how to creat...
Elmer's 4oz Washable School Glue - White
LEFTIE Scissors! If your child is a leftie please get them leftie scissors. Most scissors are right handed scissors and they are so uncomfortable for lefties
Asdirne Left Kids Safety Scissors, 3 Pack
Right handed scissors. Let your child cut. Boxes, envelopes, paper, newspaper, let them cut big pieces and small pieces
Westcott Kids' Scissors, 5-Inch, Blue
Blue tape works to hold up artwork on the walls, hold down papers to the floor or tables, and in regular crafts. This is a MUST HAVE tool I use on a daily basis
3M ScotchBlue 1.41 In. x 60 Yds. Original Multi-Surface Painter's Tape (4 Rolls) 2090-36EP4
Active Listening and Following Directions
Need help working on listening of following instructions? Check out some of these resources to guide you
Love Spencer's tips about getting your child to listen. Proximity, eye contact, and calm energy are some of my go to strategies I have in my bag
The Secret to Helping ANY Child Follow Your Directions
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Here's an active way for your child to practice listening and get some needed energy out! I show a few items on my list and they go and find the items in your home. If they can't find the items they get to work on problem solving and trying to figure...
Grocery List Game with Ms. Kern: Boosting Problem-Solving Skills for Kids! | Learn with Ms. Kern
This activity is great for following directions. Your child has to find the matching letters, put them together to spell the word, and then say the word. This also helps with vocabulary and phonics
Spelling Bee Game - Gigglescape™: Preschool Reading & Writing Kit, Educational Toy for Toddlers
Your child uses magnets to spell a word, then they write the word on their board. I appreciate how the magnets help keep everything in order and how children get to work on their handwriting
Magnetic Easel & Letters Set - 136pc - Gigglescape™: Educational Toddler Activity, Letter Magnets, Creativity Focus
Practice listening in an interactive way! Good ol bingo! There are four different levels from pictures, word, numbers, and letters
Family Bingo - Gigglescape™: Kids Classic Game, Includes Boards & Game Pieces, 1-6 Players, Ages 3+, Creative Thinking
Life Skills
Building up their hand muscles is simple with these tools! Give them a few of these materials, some cardboard, old boxes, newspaper, or old mail and let them decorate and cut
Help your child practice tying their shoe, zipping their jacket, fastening their buttons or closing their containers. This is a great hands on way for your child to practice
Melissa & Doug Basic Skills Board and Puzzle - Wooden Educational Toy
I'm adding this to life skills because numbers, counting, sorting, grouping, and breaking down numbers is a HUGE LIFE SKILL. So many children need to practice and playing dominos is a fun and interactive way to visualize numbers
Wooden Family Dominoes - Gigglescape™: Classic Tile Game, 28 Pieces, Ages 4+, Family Fun
The jacket flip - I usually have one or two students each year who know how to do this. Then they teach the rest of the class to help others' put on their own jackets
The Jacket Flip Hack: Easy as 1-2-3
Find a sticker (it could be a circle or any other sticker) cut it in half and stick it inside the shoes. When the shoes are side by side your child will be able to see the sticker
How To Wear Your Shoes Right with Dylan and Lazer | Activities for Kids
Tips from an OT (Occupational Therapist) to help your child get dressed. From putting on clothes to taking them off independently
Techniques to Teach your Toddler How to get Dressed!