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  • #1

    parental help!

    I might be taking care of my 4 (almost 5) year old niece while her parents are working....

    She'll be starting kindergarden in the fall, and I'd like to give her some structure to the day if she'll be with me till early afternoon (2 or 3pm).

    May or may not be feeding her breakfast, but will definately be feeding her lunch.

    Weather permitting I'd love to take her to the park up the road, but I'd like her to do something other then watch TV all morning.

    Suggestions? Again, this is with thoughts to getting her ready for school.
    It is by snark alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the juice of the coffee bean that thoughts acquire 'tude, the lips acquire mouthiness, the glares become a warning.
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  • #2
    Play-doh and legos.

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    • #3
      Games that require to utilize simple problem solving. Like Memory, number games, you can do a scavenger hunt at your home etc. funnges to stimulate her mind.
      NEVER underestimate the stupidity of the customer

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      • #4
        would it be to early to work on recognizing oppisites?
        It is by snark alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the juice of the coffee bean that thoughts acquire 'tude, the lips acquire mouthiness, the glares become a warning.

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        • #5
          Dolls/My Little Pony/Action figures. I loved making up stories with my toys when I was that age.

          Speaking of:

          She makes up a story and you write/illustrate it. (Or she illustrates it.)

          Reading story books. Is there a library nearby? They might have a story time you could take her to.

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          • #6
            I don't think it's too early. You can try with simple opposites and see how she does. You have a teaching tool that shows that kind of thing?

            I remember learning opposites in either preschool or pre-k using flash cards.

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            • #7
              One thing that I did while I was homeschooling my son: Ask what they're interested in. Then go to the library/museum/whatever and do research on it. My kids *always* want to learn new stuff now, because I made it fun for them.
              https://purplefish-quilting.square.site/

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              • #8
                books! read books with her. and it's OK to go above her reading level. (obviously if you're not sure on a book, ask the parents but most books 2-3 years over age shouldn't have many content issues)

                When I started kindergarten I already knew how to read, simply because Mom would read to me and I'd follow her finger with the words.

                Which was interesting cos... when I got to school, I don't know if everyone could read yet. ... and the other students were at least 6 months older.

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                • #9
                  Definitely follow the kid's interests. Get some random arts and craft supplies- kids love to make things, even if adults can't tell what they are. Read. Have her bring some favorite toys, or, if you have any of your childhood toys, get them out and go wild. Acquire some puzzles and board games or ask her to bring some she likes. If it's just for the morning there's no reason for her to watch TV at all (unless she's sick or you have work to do or you just need a break!).

                  See if your local library has storytime, or, if you belong to the YMCA, if there is an exercise class for small children. I take Khan (3) to storytime once a week and to exercise class twice a week. Libraries also often have special events set up for kids (usually seasonal). Honestly the library has been the best resource for me in finding things to do with my son.

                  If her parents haven't set her to doing chores yet, you may be in luck; my nephews never had chores at home so when they visited my mom they were thrilled to wash dishes and mow the lawn. Khan has chores (even at 3) so no luck for her there, but a 4-year-old can fold towels, garden, help empty the dishwasher, dust etc.

                  Good luck! Having a routine is the best idea as kids really need it to function well, I think.

                  would it be to early to work on recognizing oppisites?
                  Certainly not. My son is three and knows opposites (well, about 75% of the time...LOL). You can also work on rhyming, printing, completing sequences, simple addition and subtraction, directions (left/right, up/down), mazes, and a whole host of other things. Type "pre-K or preschool worksheets" into Google and there re tons you can print out for free.
                  Last edited by AnaKhouri; 01-25-2013, 08:10 PM.
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                  • #10
                    Quoth Sarlon View Post
                    would it be to early to work on recognizing oppisites?
                    No, it's a good time to start working on that.

                    A mix of quiet time and physical activity would be best. Active in the morning, nap after lunch, then active or quiet active until mom comes to get her.
                    They say that God only gives us what we can handle. Apparently, God thinks I'm a bad ass.

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                    • #11
                      Get her used to a school routine as well. So maybe 2 hours and then a break?

                      If you know what school she's going to as well, when they're closed or maybe during the holidays, take her to the school. let her look around and have a look at where the toilets are and all that.

                      Also, take her out on walks. Encourage her to find things and see what happens.

                      ETA: I am aware that a number of schools will NOT have the grounds open during the holidays due to vandalism. The best time to take her in would be maybe 1-2 days before school starts (on a weekday) as teachers will be in preparing and whatnot. If her teacher is there, she may even be able to meet her teacher. If the school has a holiday care program, the grounds MAY be open, but be careful about what is open, not all areas would be open.
                      Last edited by fireheart; 01-27-2013, 02:03 AM.
                      The best professors are mad scientists! -Zoom

                      Now queen of USSR-Land...

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                      • #12
                        Have her help make lunch. My son loves that.
                        My sanity has been dripping out of me my whole life, today they turned on the faucet.....

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                        • #13
                          Quoth monolayth View Post
                          Have her help make lunch. My son loves that.
                          This is a good one. You can use that time to practice with colours and numbers too i.e. "how many pieces of fruit are we using? What colour is the fruit?"

                          While measurement may be a bit out of reach for a 5-year-old, you could also teach her about using a recipe. (not so sure what it's like over there, but down here, units of measurement aren't taught until Year 3 or 4)
                          The best professors are mad scientists! -Zoom

                          Now queen of USSR-Land...

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                          • #14
                            I second the idea of getting a routine in place - my nephews were both terrors when they got to school because they took a year or more to get used to the idea of "now is X time" "no, you can't run around now, sit down quietly whilst we do X".

                            Not the kids fault - kids will be kids. But having some structured time might help the transition.
                            I am so SO glad I was not present for this. There would have been an unpleasant duct tape incident. - Joi

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                            • #15
                              Assuming she can count to 10. Do simple finger math with her. As a bonus it can be used to entertain kids while grocery shopping .etc. I loved this and still do it with my kids (4 and 6)

                              Example. Hold up 2 fingers on your right hand and 2 on your left and say "what's 2 plus 2?" Then have them count your fingers. My sons kindergarten class did lots of basic math stuff and this helped him out a lot. He even helped teach kids

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