HelpingYour Preschool Child

The first five years of a child’s life are a time of tremendous physical, emotional, social
and cognitive growth. Children enter the world with many needs in order to grow:
love, nutrition, health, social and emotional security and stimulation in the important
skills that prepare them for school success. Children also enter the world with a great
capacity to learn.
Research shows clearly that children are more likely to succeed in learning when their
families actively support them. Families who involve their children in activities that
allow the children to talk, explore, experiment and wonder show that learning is both
enjoyable and important. They motivate their children to take pleasure in learning and
to want to learn more. They prepare them to be successful in school—and in life.
There is a strong connection between the development a child undergoes early in life
and the level of success that the child will experience later in life. When young
children are provided an environment rich in language and literacy interactions and
full of opportunities to listen to and use language constantly, they can begin to acquire
the essential building blocks for learning how to read. A child who enters school
without these skills runs a significant risk of starting behind and staying behind.
President Bush believes that all children must begin school with an equal chance at
achievement so that no child is left behind. To that end, he signed the No Child Left
Behind Act, which proposed reforms expressing his confidence in our public schools and
their mission to build the mind and character of every child, from every background,
in every part of America. While the No Child Left Behind Act is important because it
ensures that public schools are teaching students what they need to know to be
successful in life, it also draws attention to the need to prepare children before they
start school. You and your family help to create this critical foundation by talking,
listening and reading to your child every day and by showing your child that you value
learning and education.
This booklet includes activities for families with children from infancy through age 5.
Most of the activities make learning experiences out of the everyday routines in which
you and your child already participate. Most use materials that are found in your
home or that can be had free of charge from your local library. The activities are
designed to be fun for both you and your child as well as to help your child gain the
skills needed to get ready for school. Enjoy them!