Child should be able to state his/her full name – first, middle, and last. Child should know the difference between a nickname and his/her real name. When asked, child should be able to state his/her age in years. Teach your child where he/she lives. Focus on the name of the street and city. For safety reasons, child should also know his/her parents’ names. 

Child should be able to name basic colors of red, blue, yellow, green, orange, purple, pink, gray, brown, and black.   Have the child practice naming the color of objects in his/her environment. Use colors to describe objects in conversation such as “You are putting on a red shirt or you are sitting in a blue chair”.

Child should be able to identify why we have certain objects, such as stoves are for cooking, cars are for driving, chairs are for sitting, and beds are for sleeping. Talk to your child about how we use objects as you follow your daily routine. For example, we take a bath in a bathtub and use soap, shampoo, and a washcloth to get ourselves clean. Second example, we eat food with a fork or spoon and we drink out of a cup.

Child should be able to describe the location of objects in relation to one another using terms such as in/out, up/down, over/under, etc. Play games that allow you to show relationships such as putting toys in a box, under a box, beside a box, and over a box, etc.

Child should have a basic understanding of objects that look alike and or different based on certain characteristics such as shape, size, and color.

Child should have access to a pencil or crayons to practice basic writing skills as often as possible. Start with teaching the child to draw a straight line (vertical and horizontal) and then to draw a circle. Children need to learn basic writing strokes before they can write letters or numbers.

Children need to practice basic motor skills such as using a pencil/crayon, picking up small objects (example - putting coins in a piggy bank), and stacking small blocks.

Increase your child’s vocabulary by working with him/her to name common objects in the environment or books. When reading to your child, take time to look at the pictures and name objects. When riding in the car, talk about objects you see.