Helpful Hints and Suggestions

• Help with handwriting skills: Try having your child color and write while stretched out on the floor on his or her tummy.  This position, used for writing, encourages proper hand holding of the pencil or utensil.  Another good activity to encourage proper holding of the pencil is writing upright, on a whiteboard or chalkboard.  The "slide" of the marker is easier for children to master writing.  Any strength building tools for their hands such as, "stress reliever balls," that exercise the muscles in the hand are handy to have around.  Clay, playdough in particular, is a wonderful medium to use with young children because it is very inviting and imaginative, while providing coordination and exercise for the hand--strong, coordinated hands make it easier to master the skills for handwriting!
• Help with reading 2 and 3 digit numbers:  Use a deck of cards with the face cards removed and shuffle the deck well.  Then have your child select the top two or three cards (depending on the level of difficulty you wish)  and let him or her lay them down in any order.  Next, have your child read the number out loud.  You can challenge him or her to create the largest or smallest number using only those two or three cards.  You can continue with another two or three cards.  Let all the children in your home play--it is great practice!