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Clueless- would like to start preparing 3 year old....

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 12:41 pm
by PinkPearl
Hi

I'm new. I am really clueless about this as I don't have experience or grammars, don't know anyone who has been to one.

So...I would like to prepare my 3 year old and I don't know what to do. I would rather do slow consistent approach

I'm looking for things I can do with my son that are learning activities without seeming like they are so everything short of doing bond papers. Therefore, for him he shouldn't feel I am preparing him but I know in my head that I am. These activities could be sit down type or outdoors.

Thanks

First post approved in good faith - Moderator

Re: Clueless- would like to start preparing 3 year old....

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 2:49 pm
by copella
I am sorry as someone else will probably come along with a whole list of fantastic things you can do just short of doing bond papers, but he's THREE, let him have an enjoyable toddlerhood, playing in mud, looking for worms, singing silly songs, jumping the highest, pretending to be a plane etc. this is far far too young to think about 11 plus, enjoy life and be happy and then in 5/6 years when you have some idea about his abilities start preparing.

Re: Clueless- would like to start preparing 3 year old....

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:13 pm
by southbucks3
I really can only assume the "3" was a typo?

Re: Clueless- would like to start preparing 3 year old....

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:15 pm
by scary mum
Year 3?

If he is three, let him play in the sandpit, splash in puddles and generaly have fun.

That, imho, is the best preparation.

Re: Clueless- would like to start preparing 3 year old....

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:25 pm
by nefertete
I think there is lots of things you can do to develop your child into an intelligent thinking bright person starting from early age. I am in favour of slow consistent approach. This way children get clever and bright without even realising it, and they learn effortlessly stuff that other children may not find so obvious or easy just because they didn't come across it in their childhood.

. I would say: talk to him a lot, using full sentences and interesting vocabulary, not just baby talking, with this consistent approach his verbal abilities will be well developed, he will naturally, unconsciously develop a sound language base. Sing to him and with him a lot of nursery rhymes, read a lot of books together. If you have any letter shapes, play around with them, buy alphabet puzzles or letter shapes that he needs to fit in the right place, etc. let him do lots of colouring and playing with play dough as it will develop his hand coordination and help in handwriting later, do lots of different puzzles of different sizes, children love puzzles and it helps develop their cognitive skills and problem solving. As for maths, count out lout to him a lot, for example when you are counting toys or building blocks, after a while he will surprise you by being able to count himself! It is never too early to start developing your child's intelligence. If you have ipad or android, there is plenty of free educational apps that he will enjoy and learn at the same time. When you are out and about, you can prepare a list of things you will see on the way, with a small picture and writing close to it, simple things such as tree, grass, etc, make him tick every thing on the list he will spot on the way, you can do the same while shopping. Once home you can read out loud words together.
Teach him the alphabet by singing a lot the alphabet song. You can do that while you are playing together, sometimes you can point to letters as you sing or hold his finger and guide him to point to the right letters once he knows his letters, you can make up your own song with your own melody to teach him the sounds of the letters, such as "a says a, b says b, etc till the end.
I did it all with my three kids and they all loved it and started school well ahead of their peers being able to read and write and count already. That will give him a head start.
There is so much you can do at home to help your child and support the school. This is just the beginning.

Re: Clueless- would like to start preparing 3 year old....

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:35 pm
by copella
Great advice nefertete, but isn't what you are describing called parenting, not preparing for the 11 plus. Isn't this just what the op should do anyway with a 3 yr old and not asking what I think is a wind up question on preparing a toddler for grammar school entry?

Re: Clueless- would like to start preparing 3 year old....

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:39 pm
by PinkPearl
nefertete

Thanks that's brilliant. That is exactly the type of advice I am looking for. I really appreciate it

Re: Clueless- would like to start preparing 3 year old....

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:45 pm
by PinkPearl
Copella. This is not a wind up question. My English is bad, i agree I could have worded the subject better but not sure what.

Re: Clueless- would like to start preparing 3 year old....

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 4:02 pm
by southbucks3
In that case if he is 3, the best thing you can do is have fun, natter a lot, let him sleep a lot. Oh and occasionally tell him off for eating snails and dog poo!

Re: Clueless- would like to start preparing 3 year old....

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 4:07 pm
by copella
Dear pink pearl I am pleased this is not a wind up. However i hope you are already doing some of the things suggested as they will also help your son to be a well adjusted person who feels loved and happy and not just pass the 11 plus. Good luck