3 Year Old School Work

July 22nd, 2010

I answered a couple of questions before about getting started teaching your two year old and some of thetable work we do with our 3 year old.  Here are two more things we have around the house to work with our preschoolers to help build their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills (skills that build into their ability to write and get ready for more “official” school work).

Wooden puzzles are great.  There are a few different “levels” of them.  One of the easiest types of wooden puzzles is the kind with the same picture on the puzzle piece as where it goes underneath.  This helps their matching skills and helps them to focus more on their ability to wiggle the puzzle piece into place – another skill all it’s own.

The next level of wooden puzzle has no pictures underneath.  They must look only at the shape of the piece and rely on their memory for where it should go.

The other thing my three year old loves to play with are lacing cards.  You can buy them already made, look for them at garage sales, or make your own.  When I was little my mom made mine by using an overhead projector (she was a teacher) and tracing them off.  You can  just free hand something or have your older children draw pictures.  Then laminate (or use contact paper) to make them durable.  And finally punch holes around the edges.  You can use colored shoe laces from the shoe department of your local store and you have a great skill builder.

I show them slowly a couple of different ways you can lace them.

Then I sit with them while they try.  At first they may be frustrated and want your help.  If they get too frustrated, put the cards away and save them for later.  My daughter at this age wanted to tie the laces in knots and together more than actually lace with them.  I let her.  She was practicing other skills.  No pressure.  If they’re determined, sit with them until they get it.  And remember, don’t try to have them do it “right”.  Any way is right.  The goal is just for them to practice pushing the lace through the hole.  A pretty tough skill to master.  Especially the “up” move from underneath.  Just have them turn the card over and push it “down” each time until they’re ready to try the “up from underneath” move.

And shower ‘em with praise as they show you how proud they are of their work!