LISTENING - I give clear simple instructions when children start to understand words. I play repetitive word games like Pat - A-Cake and Peek -A- Boo. We sing songs using double verses so children can participate and know what is next. I imitate sounds the babies start to make and they in turn imitate sounds we make. We try new activities to encourage new vocabulary words.

SPEAKING - We use manners to promote social acceptance. We learn words to express how we feel and to show concern for others. I incorporate new words with activities to expand their language skills. We sing the ABC Song and tell stories at circle time and story time. I encourage them to talk about themselves and tell stories. Repetition helps them learn the sequence of stories so they can predict what comes next. We play word games, rhyming games and computer games like Bailey's Book House which utilizes the alphabet into games and stories. We build word walls and listen to beginning sounds and patterns.

BOOKS - We have Story Time every day. I engage the children in making book choices. We link books to experiences. I place books in many areas of the daycare for easy reach and exposure. When reading stories, I point to the words so the children can follow along. There are library forms available if the children want to check out books from my home to read at home. We have guest readers and this is one of our favorite times.  

PRINTING - There are many opportunities to work with pencils, crayons, markers and writing material to practice writing. We become familiar with letters in coloring pages, books, and preschool activities. We learn our names through repetition in both seeing and writing. I incorporated print in all areas of center play. We use menus in the kitchen, pads for orders, doctor’s notes, scripts for plays, phone-books for looking up items.  I use Print Rich Activities from Kim’s Kids Preschool Curriculum and for enrichment activities.