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Mississauga, Ontario, Canada |
Parent Information |
Help your child learnAs a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. Your child learns more from you than from anyone else in life. The simple things that you do every day — reading, playing, listening and talking with your child — help him build the skills he needs to reach his full potential.
When your child goes to school, he will learn important skills, like reading, writing and math. But the foundation for these skills is laid long before he ever gets to kindergarten. Learning starts at birth and continues for a lifetime. As your child grows, there are many ways that you can help prepare him to be successful in school and in life. Click here for UEY Malton's Parent Toolkit, Getting Your Child Ready for School, or read below for helpful parenting ideas.
Build a caring relationship – In the early years, children learn about themselves and the world around them by the way that people treat them. Children who are happy and well-adjusted usually come from caring, loving families. When you spend time with your child, playing with him and sharing experiences, you help him learn to be confident and trusting and to relate well to others.
Be a good role model – Your child learns from watching you, so share your enthusiasm for the things you love. When he sees you reading a book, going to the library or enjoying a board game, he will want to join in the fun and learn along with you. Your attitude towards education and learning will make a lasting impression on your child – show him that learning is important to you.
Encourage, praise and celebrate – Be generous with your praise and support. Celebrate your child’s efforts and encourage him to try new things. Just like walking, learning is done in stages – one small step at a time. Some children learn quickly and others take longer. Be patient with your child. Offer help when it’s needed and focus on the positive. Always encourage your child to keep trying!
Talk and listen – Simply by talking, listening and asking questions, you can help your child understand the world around him. Encourage your child to talk about his friends, activities, favourite books, games and movies. Watch TV with him and talk about what you see. Take him on trips to parks, libraries and art galleries and talk with him about the experience. Invite him to ask questions and answer his questions honestly and openly. By encouraging your child to discuss his thoughts, feelings and interests, you will help him develop important critical thinking skills.
Connect learning to daily life – Learning is fun when you make it part of your child’s daily routine. Sing the alphabet song with him as he’s getting dressed. Read simple traffic signs when you go for a walk together. Point out familiar words on TV ads or billboards. When you go shopping, ask your child count your purchases. Play board games or do puzzles together to help your child learn to think strategically. With a little imagination, you can find all kinds of interesting and entertaining ways to help your child learn from his everyday experiences.
Stay involved – Be an active partner in your child’s learning at every stage in his life. If your child attends daycare or recreational programs, ask his caregivers about his activities and behaviour. When he goes to school, make time to talk to his teachers and attend school events. Find out what he is learning, so you provide help and support at home. Research shows that children are more successful when their parents care about their learning and develop good relationships with their teachers. Learning to readThe Peel board offers an excellent brochure for helping your child learn to read. You can order it in a number of different languages. Get more tips for helping your child learn.
Looking for answers to your parenting questions? These websites provide valuable information and resources that you may find helpful.
Early years hubs and readiness centresPreparing to enter kindergarten for the first time is the focus for children and their caregivers at the Peel District School Board’s early years hubs and readiness centres. The hubs and readiness centres help families make the transition to school that much easier.
Both hubs and readiness centres are designed to accommodate children from birth to four years of age who are accompanied by their caregivers. Families are welcome to attend any of the hubs or readiness centres, regardless of where they live in Peel.
Early years hubs are staffed with a kindergarten teacher, teaching assistance, part-time social worker, speech language pathologist, and outreach workers. The hubs also serve newcomer families whose first language is not English.
Follow the link for more information on the hubs and readiness centres in Malton.
Links on this pageParent Tip Sheet Ways to Enhance Your Child’s Reading Order Form Useful Links |
