Unit 1 You and Others 76
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the children count and decide how many
to choose. Letting children use measuring
cups or spoons to prepare simple recipes
can also help them learn number skills.
You can help children learn about
concepts such as size, shape, and texture.
Use descriptive terms when talking with
children about objects they see and use
daily. You might say, “That building
is tall,” “Your cookie is round,” or
“Sandpaper is rough.”
You can also help children learn about
colors. Talk about the red sweater, the blue
ball, the yellow sun, and the green grass.
Show children these objects as you talk
about them.
Learning to care for themselves is
another skill children need to learn. For
instance, they should learn how to dress
themselves and decide what colors to wear.
This may not be easy for them at fi rst. They
may need your help. Children may have to practice these tasks many times.
Be patient. When children succeed, they feel good about themselves.
Children like to help adults. For them, learning to pour milk and sweep
fl oors are often fun tasks, not work. Adults and children can have fun
together doing laundry or setting the table. Children can also have fun and
learn by caring for plants or pets. Doing household tasks helps children
learn responsibility. If children enjoy doing these tasks, their positive
feelings toward work later in life may be greater.
Reading
Review
1. How can you help children learn about concepts such as size, shape,
and texture?
2. How can reading to young children help them learn?
3. Why may children need your help learning to care for themselves?
Communicating with Children
When you talk to children, speak correctly. In order for them to learn
to use the correct words to describe objects, you must set an example.
This will help them when they start school. If you use incorrect words to
describe objects, children will also use the incorrect words. When they
start school, they will have to learn to use the correct words. This can cause
children to become discouraged.
Children’s Books
Reading to children can help them
learn how words and sounds are used.
Nursery rhymes help them learn about
sounds and rhythms. Identifying pictures
in books helps them learn the meaning
of words. They can also learn to match
words with real objects. For instance,
they learn from a picture book what an
orange looks like. When you ask them
to choose an orange from a fruit bowl,
they can identify which piece of fruit
to choose. Visit your local library and
select a book you think would interest
children the most. Arrange to read the
book to a local preschool class.
Reading Link Reading Link