Plant. Grow.
Give them the opportunities to explore the world around them. If you notice they have an interest in building, put plenty of soft and hard blocks or Legos around to build.
If they…
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like to dance, play music.
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like music, expose them to different artists.
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like to draw, give them crayons, markers, and a blank piece of paper (no coloring books, please). Let them learn to color outside the lines.
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are interested in plants, teach them how to make a garden grow.
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like animals, visit the zoo. Let them pretend play with stuffed animals or figurines.
Talk. Read.
Let them hear as many words a day as you can. Talk about things around you (stop signs, cereal boxes at the grocery store, and explain how things work).
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Talk. Talk. Talk.
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Explain why. Listen. Interact.
Create Connections.
When you read stories, ask questions about the characters and events. Ask them to describe a character in a book. Ask them to pretend to be a character and dress up as one.
Be Diverse.
Give many opportunities to understand different cultures and people. Children need to be exposed to different people and cultures to appreciate and respect them.
Explore Cause and Effect.
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When I roll the ball, what happens?
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When I hit my sister, it hurts her.
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If I forget to water the plant, it won’t grow.
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When I drop something (Cheerios, blueberries, objects, etc.) I need someone to pick them up.
Give Praise and Encouragement.
Encourage your child try again and again. If the building falls down, help them rebuild it. When they try to say a word, help them sound it out and practice in a fun way.
Make Learning Fun!
Children love to play and explore. Let them have lots of opportunities to safely explore inside and outside.
Adapted from Seven and a Half Lessons about the Brain
Lisa Howard
President & CEO
E3: Elevate Early Education and The New E3 School
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