3/8/01
Question 77
Dear Preschool Teacher,
I will be a teaching assistant in a 3 year old
preschool room this year. I have been asked to take over the language
arts program. I was wondering what types of language arts
activities are appropriate for 3 year olds. I would like to do a
letter a week type of activities but I'm not sure if this is
appropriate for 3's. I have seen many of you post that shapes,
colors and numbers 1 - 5, as well as different social skills are most
important for 3's. Please give me some suggestions for language
arts for 3's.
Thanks,
Teaching assistant
Dear Teaching Assistant,
My advice is to read, read, and
read. I also think puppets and flannel board stories are
appropriate for three's. Keep it simple because they have a
short attention span. Make it fun. The letter of the week
may be over their heads, but letters that are important to them, like
those in their names, will usually hold their interest. (First letter
only)
You can have them dictate stories
to you and let them draw a picture to go with it. Let them tell you
what they have done because it is "their" story. Do
not put words in their mouths. This stifles their creativity.
You can say, "tell me about your picture...." and
write what they say even if it doesn't
make sense to you. Read it back to them if they want you to.
The idea is to get them interested in reading and writing as soon as
possible.
Hope this is helpful. Have fun with it.
Jackie
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"
