Preschool Kids: Ideas to Support Learning at Home
                     NAVA BHARATH 
NATIONAL 
SCHOOLS
ANNUR, COIMBATORE

 Preschool Kids: Ideas to Support Learning at Home
During the coronavirus crisis, parents whose children 
typically attend preschools are now managing their 
young children's enrichment and education at home. 
We know that most parents cannot replicate a full day 
of preschool, along with all of their other 
responsibilities. But here are some guidelines and 
principles to help you care for your 3-5 year old at 
home at any time you have available. The basis for 
future academic success is laid throughout the 
preschool years.Fine motor skills: safe cutting with 
scissors, grasping with a pencil, colouring, forming 
letters/numbers
 Self-regulation: listening intently for longer periods of time, sitting still for 
longer periods of time
 Regulation of emotions: healthy separation, ability to calm down, tolerance 
of frustration
 Social growth: conflict resolution, sharing, reciprocity, and empathy
 Early academic skills: letter identification, letter-sound associations, number 
identification, counting, basic concepts (shapes, colors, textures), basic rules 
of print conventions
 Activities of Daily Living/Independence: Putting on and taking off sweater, 
managing personal belongings
 Creativity and imaginary play: using an object in new ways, sharing 
imagination
 Self-confidence as a learner
How children from 3 to 5 years 
old learn
 Learning during this period takes place almost 
effortlessly as children interact with sensitive 
caregivers, explore the environment around 
them, and play. The human brain was built to 
learn, and children this age are strengthening 
neural connections as they use them.
 Your child's experiences and activities will 
literally grow their brain and improve their 
capacity for learning. Introduce your preschooler 
to a language-rich environment, a variety of rich 
sensory stimulation, and allow them hands-on 
opportunities to explore basic concepts (such as 
shape, color, and texture) and the environment.
What is the role of parents?
Although preschoolers are capable of independent play for 
short periods of time, parents will need to organize their 
child's day, schedule structured assignments, help with 
transitions between activities, and provide necessary 
scaffolding and encouragement. Create structure. Children 
need predictability in their days just like adults do. Also, 
consistency and routine help children develop and learn. 
Through repetitive routines (eg, bath time), children learn 
about sequence (what comes first, next, last), build 
vocabulary and conceptual knowledge (eg, wet, slippery, 
faucet, drain ) and develop autonomy (obtaining their own 
towel or cleaning bath toys on their own).
 Check with teachers. If your child's preschool teacher is available, it 
may be helpful to schedule a time to check in with him or her and 
discuss suggestions for specific activities. If your student receives 
additional services, try contacting providers to see if they can 
suggest ways she can help continue treatment and maintain gains 
at home. Talk to your child. Almost any activity that a preschooler 
participates in provides an opportunity to talk, introducing new 
vocabulary as well as shapes, colors, sizes, and numbers. “Serve 
and return” interactions, or the verbal and nonverbal reciprocal 
exchange that takes place between a child and her caregiver, also 
facilitate attachment and a sense of self. Current projects. Projects, 
which can include coloring, building, sorting, or sensory play (such 
as a water table or sandbox) are great opportunities for your child 
to experience your full attention, which helps reinforce a sense of 
importance.
Commenting, reflecting and praising your child's work 
gives them a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem, 
and praising your child's effort helps with the 
development of determination. Generate unstructured 
games. Independent play is very important to encourage 
creativity, problem solving and autonomy. Offer your 
preschooler a variety of art supplies (crayons, markers, 
chalk, finger paints), building materials (blocks, Magna-
Tiles, Legos) or pretend play props and let them build their 
own craft or game . If they run out of ideas or materials, 
offer a new material and see if they can switch to a new 
way of playing on their own.
How to structure the day
 While it is not necessary (or realistic) during this COVID-19 crisis to 
create a strict, regimented schedule, having a general “pattern” for 
the day will help relieve stress for you and help your child feel safe. 
The following advice can help you create a schedule:
 Wake up at the same time, change from pajamas to “real clothes” 
(whatever that means to you), and eat breakfast at the normal 
time
 Play a variety of games in succession throughout the day.
 Build regular breaks into the schedule, which should include 
opportunities for exercise and free play
 Eat dinner together as a family and use that time as an opportunity 
to talk about the day and solve problems together
 Types of play that support learning in children from 3 to 5 years old
 When considering how to fill your child's day, it's helpful to consider the 
different types of play that help support different areas of their development:
 Constructive play: blocks, Magna-Tiles, Legos, building a fort, coloring and 
crafts.
 Physical Play: Run, Jump, Hide and Seek, Simon Says, Musical Chairs
 Pretend play: dress up, dolls, cooking, action figures, modified “guess, guess” 
(e.g. have your child act like an animal and guess what they are)
 Sensory play: sand table, water play, finger painting, putty, baking bread
 Music game: listen to music and children's songs, play musical instruments, 
sing
 Outdoor play: nature walk, pick flowers, identify objects or flowers when they 
come out
 Reading time: read aloud and quietly with books
screen time
 Under normal circumstances, we recommend limiting screen time 
(the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health 
Organization suggest no more than one hour for children ages 2-5, 
ideally while watching alongside a caregiver). During the COVID-19 
crisis, screen time can be incorporated into a balanced activity diet 
and should be used strategically, such as when you need less 
attention from your child (such as when you cook dinner, work, or 
help sibling with school work). For a list of free, accessible online 
resources, download our guide 'Remote Learning Resources for 
Families' from the Child Mind Institute, which includes educational 
programming, suggestions for movement breaks, museum visits, 
book reading times, and more. plus.
How to Build Independence in Preschoolers
During the preschool years, children begin to truly develop 
their sense of independence. This is immensely important in 
building confidence and a sense of self. Ways you can 
encourage independence while at home in the COVID-19 crisis 
include: Structure the day. Just like adults, when children can 
anticipate their day, they are better equipped to take 
responsibility. Start small. Before going out, for example, your 
child can put on his own hat and get his shoes out of the 
closet. Let your child choose. Involve them in choices, like 
what to wear. This does not mean that they have free rein. 
Provide 2-3 options and then praise their great ability to make 
a decision!
Let your child help you. Children love to help! When you 
allow your child to help, even if it takes her longer to do 
things, you build her confidence and give her the 
opportunity to learn something new. Let your child solve 
problems. Let your children try difficult things and solve 
(small) problems on their own. Wait until they ask for help 
or assist only to take them to the next step in a task. You 
can acknowledge that something is difficult and let them 
know you're proud by offering praise for trying something 
on their own or for the first time.Assign chores to your 
child. Simple chores like picking up toys or putting laundry 
in the basket allow your child reasonable responsibility, 
and those chores also help maintain routine and structure 
throughout the day.
CONTACT 
NAME U: NSAVA BHARATH NATIONAL SCHOOL
Address : Sathy Road, Annur, Coimbatore-
641653
Mobile : 99945 56565 – 97894 99997
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : www.navabharathschool.com