#ThriveFromHome

#ThriveFromHome is here to help parents and caregivers across Michigan provide preschoolers, ages 3-5, with essential skill-building activities using resources and materials recommended by experienced state educators ― we'll be posting new resources weekly!

Week One: Emotions

	Complex emotions are difficult for preschoolers to communicate. They usually only know a few words, like ‘sad’ or ‘mad’ to use when talking about their feelings. Activities like teaching emotions in the mirror or drawing faces out can help your preschooler learn to communicate their emotions and to read the emotions of others.

	Many preschoolers know only one or two words to use when explaining their emotions. This activity can help develop your child’s ability to identify and communicate emotions. Click here for “Making Faces and Using Words Activity”.

Week Two: Gross Motor Skills

	It’s no secret that preschoolers are full of energy. You can put this energy to use – and help your child build their motor skills, balance, and coordination – by playing games where they imitate animal walks, or simply by being active with them throughout the day.

	Get that energy out! Being home with a young one can be overwhelming, but we have some tips to help you navigate your child’s development. Helping your preschooler develop motor skills can be fun and energetic. By imitating animal walks and being physically active, children can work on balance and coordination.

Week Three: Science

	Curiosity is healthy! By creating an explorable environment for your preschooler, playing naming games and making observations about the world around you, you can help them tap into their curiosity anywhere you go. Stay tuned for more tips and resources to help your preschooler thrive from home.

	By making a game out of asking your preschooler to name things around the house, encouraging them to share their observations about the world around them and nurturing a sense of exploration in their play, you can help your preschooler’s development by tapping into their natural curiosity.

Week Four: Language

	The preschool years are a crucial period in children’s language development. Using a picture board of common images and items at home is a great way to facilitate vocabulary growth and communication. It’s just one way you can help your child thrive from home.

	Helping preschoolers overcome difficulties with using their words and grow their vocabulary can be as simple as creating a picture board at home for them to use to identify their wants and needs.

Week Five: Fine Motor Skills

	Asking your child to complete small tasks with their hands, like zipping their jackets or helping you do the dishes, can help them develop their fine motor skills. Without developing these skills, your child may become easily frustrated while trying to use scissors or crayons. These exercises can help your child practice self-care and improve their fine motor skills.

	Fine motor skills, such as using scissors or crayons, are important for preschoolers to be able to complete activities. If your child is frustrated with their inability to do these activities, you can help them practice by asking them to perform simple tasks, such as zipping up their jacket or stacking plates.

Week Six: Literacy

	Set the stage for helping your preschooler learn to read by pointing out words to them around the house and saying them out loud. You can also try asking them to raise their hand when they hear a certain sound or word when you read to them. These little activities can go a long way toward getting your preschooler to read!

	While your preschooler may not be reading yet, you can help set them up for success by exposing them to words and sounds every day. You can help by reading signs and labels that you see around the house out loud and asking your child to recognize words and sounds as you read them.

Week Seven: Writing

	As your preschooler starts to learn how to write, they may face some difficulties with fine motor skills. Here are some activities you can do at home to help them with these skills, such as writing letters in sand or sugar or practicing with crayons or pencils.

	Writing requires fine motor skills. As your preschooler starts to learn how to write, you can help them develop their ability by practicing writing letters in sand or sugar.

Livingston Educational Service Agency

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#ThriveFromHome

Livingston Educational Service Agency