Index

bibliographical references

Noting that parents can capitalize on the opportunity to enhance their child's brain growth during the first 5 years, this book guides parents in actively promoting the motor, cognitive, and social skills that will enhance their child's readiness for later formal, academic learning. Presented in 4 parts, the book provides more than 75 activities using inexpensive to assemble materials found at home and designed to be used as part of dynamic play. Following introductory remarks, each of Parts 1 through 4 covers an area of development. Each area and its topics and subtopics are explained briefly to provide a better understanding of the games to follow. Each activity or game includes information on its learning objective, how to make necessary materials, and how to play the game. The areas and their related topics are: (1) cognitive development, including mathematics, science, and social studies; (2) motor development, including gross-motor development, fine-motor development, and midline development; (3) social development, including social skills, art, music, and drama; (4) language development, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking; and (5) the home environment, including suggestions related to leadership style, chores, nutrition, sleeping, and working with preschool teachers. Information on making game cards is appended. (Contains 17 references.) (KB).