Encourage your child to create, explore, and pretend.

Focus on Kindergarten Readiness Indicators

• Uses a three-point finger grip on a pencil, crayon, or paint brush
• Makes a variety of lines and shapes such as O  –  o  +  r
• Uses scissors correctly to cut simple shapes and pictures
• Expresses themself by singing and moving to the beat and speed of the music
• Creates art independently by using a variety of art materials with purpose and planning
• Uses pretend play to process experiences, feelings, and roles represented in fantasy or real-life scenarios, such as reenacting a visit to the doctor, pretending to rock a baby, or being a cashier
• Writes some letters correctly, especially those in their name

Activities by week

WEEK 1

Gather items to explore art, writing, dramatic play, music, and more!

• Help your child select a storage container for drawing and writing materials. Add some of these tools to the box: crayons, washable markers, pencils, chalk, colored pencils, blunt-tip scissors, a paper punch, and a variety of paper.
• Decide on some simple rules for using the drawing and writing materials. For example, “Markers may be used at the kitchen table or outdoors,” or “Scissors are for cutting paper.”
• Make boxes for dramatic play and music. Find household items to build themes, such as food and seasonal clothing. For the music box, make or use musical instruments.

WEEK 2

Encourage your child to explore with drawing materials.

• Suggest that your child draw pictures
  • In the kitchen while you prepare dinner
  • In the park while you enjoy the bright fall days
  • After reading a favorite story or singing a favorite song
  • In the doctor’s office while waiting for your appointment
• With your child, draw pictures about family events and experiences
  • Our trip to the grocery store
  • Grandma’s house
• Talk with your child about the pictures and decide on a place to display your favorites. Choose a picture to attach to the “Memories” page.

WEEK 3

Support your child in practicing using scissors.

• Designate appropriate places for your child to use scissors and discuss safety rules.
• Ensure your child knows how to hold the scissors, open and close the blades, and hold the paper.
• Encourage your child to snip playdough snakes and soda straws into little pieces.
• Provide strips of construction paper and cards from junk mail for your child to snip.
• As your child’s skill improves, offer old magazines for cutting.

WEEK 4

Help your child see that written words are a part of daily life.

• Make a grocery shopping list together or write a note to a relative or friend.
• Make labels with your child’s name for items that go to school.
• Spell your child’s name with magnetic letters on the refrigerator.
• If your child is interested in writing, encourage the use of materials in the drawing and writing box.

Additional Ideas

Allow your child to draw and write with chalk on the sidewalk. Draw in dirt or sand with a stick. Use small brushes to draw with water on the sidewalk.

Make large playdough pancakes. Encourage your child to write or draw on the pancakes with pencils or a craft stick.

Special Activity

Make the world’s longest picture.

Use a roll of freezer paper or shelf paper (or tape together many sheets of paper).

Suggest that your child begin drawing at one end, adding new drawings each day.

Measure the picture with a ruler or yardstick.

Encourage your child to continue to add to the “world’s longest picture” for several days or weeks as long as they are interested.

Suggested Books to Read with Your Child

The Art Box by Gail Gibbons

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

My Hands by Aliki

I’m NOT Just a Scribble by Diane Alber

The Color Monster by Anna Lienas