Parent's Guide Topics: Use Language Listen Write Read Develop Social Skills Think Develop an Understanding of Math Concepts Additional Resources: Learning Skills Guide Book Lists & Reviews More About Learning 15 Ways to Help The Big Cheese Recommended Links

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What your child experiences during each of the first five years of life is more important than you might ever imagine. Here are three articles by Susan Jindrich that will help you understand what's happening during this period and what you can do to really help your child get off to the best possible start in life. Take the time to discover How Children Develop. Then find out How People Learn Best (this you probably already know). Finally, help your child be Ready to Learn. Prepare yourself and your child for school by reading about the things you can do now to build the skills he or she will need. Introduction During the last 10 years, there has been an explosion in our knowledge of the ways in which humans develop and learn. It is now known that babies are beginning to learn even before they are born. As I have read the latest research, I often find myself wishing I had known these things when my children were young. We all want our children to be the best that they can be, and with some knowledge of how children learn and the sequential steps they must go through in many areas of development, we can provide many experiences at home to help them reach their potential. When educators discuss children's development, they usually talk about physical, mental, social, and emotional development. The following is a quick lesson in how children develop and the stages they go through. Knowing these will help you understand what stage they are in and what comes next. For greater understanding of stages in the development of reading, writing, and math skills and for an idea of what goes on in a quality child care center, read Ready To Learn. You can use that information to help your child do the activities which will enable him/her to progress smoothly to the next stage. Always remember that some children progress faster than others and that the time spent in stages does not reflect their intelligence. They may have a personality which needs to move slower in order to enjoy life and really internalize their learning. The Articles: How Children Develop How People Learn Best Ready to Learn Back to Top Copyright 1998, Susan Jindrich. All rights reserved.