Here are some super simple activites that we do in our classroom that you can do with your child at home.
Name Writing Practice
Write your child's name on a piece of paper in yellow marker or hightlighter. Have them trace over it to make their name.
*To save paper, write their name in yellow and slide it into a page protector. Let them trace over their name with a dry erase marker. Erase & Repeat!
Rainbow Writing - Write your child's name with a crayon (or have them do it if they can). Then, have them choose a different color crayon to trace their name. Keep changing colors and pretty soon they will have a name rainbow!
*Make certain that your child is writing their name using a captial letter to start their name, but all lowercase letters for the rest of their name.
Cutting Practice
Cutting Can - Get a coffee can or peanut butter jar, etc. Give your child old magazines or strips of paper to cut and put into their cutting can. Later, they can make collages with all the pieces they have cut!
Print out these cutting skills sheets to practice straight, curvy, or zigzag lines. http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/miscellaneous/scissor_skills.htm
Alphabet/Phonics
Go on a letter hunt. Write a message to your child. Have them find certain letters and circle them. Ex: Go on a hunt for all the "a's"! Child circles all of the letter a's. You can make it even more specific by saying "Go on a hunt for capital A's." etc. This activity is not about being able to read the message, but simply being able to pick out specific letters.
Play ABC I Spy. "Spy" things around the room that begin with the "A" sound.
Exploration & FUN!
Make discovery bottles! Save old water bottles to make this simple activity that will keep your child busy! Here is a link to many different examples of bottles that you can make using only a few household ingredients. http://www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2002/12_2002a_css.html
*I personally use the "aquapods" bottles because they are smaller and smoother (for the magnetic bottle). Don't forget to hot glue the caps on!
Get hair gel from the dollar store and mix it with food coloring. Place in a ziploc bag and tape it shut. Let your child explore!
Make homemade play dough and gak - so many recipes online!