Giving your child a head start in school

The best way to give your child a head start in school is to talk and read to the child. Taking to your child gives the a solid foundation in language  and communications skills. You can talk to your child as you engage in simple activities such as trip to the zoo, store and neighborhood. You can talk to her  about what  you are seeing.  This will introduce new ideas, concepts and vocabulary.

When you share experiences later on, you reinforce those concepts  and the new words the child has heard. This also helps the child to put her  ideas into words. This is a valuable social skill that will help her  later in life.

Talking to your child also teaches her  to notice, comment on and ask questions about what she sees. It is important to respond to her  comments and concerns . This will motivate her  in school because children who know their comments will be answered rather than ignored are motivated to learn.

If you read to your child, it instills the love of books in them and encourages  them to read on their own. Reading exposes the child to new vocabulary, print and letters.