What kids need to know for kindergarten

Kindergarten Readiness Checklist | Understood

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ByAmanda Morin

At a glance

Many kids who are ready for kindergarten can say the alphabet and count to 10.
Kindergarten readiness includes motor skills like holding a pencil and using scissors.
Self-care like getting dressed and not needing help in the bathroom are important kindergarten skills.

When kids are getting ready for kindergarten, many families wonder about academic skills. But self-care and social and emotional skills are important for kindergarten readiness, too. For example, does your child need help using the bathroom? Learn about the different kinds of skills kids are expected to have when they start kindergarten.

Language skills

Speak in complete sentences and be understood by others most of the time
Use words to express needs and wants
Understand two-step directions
Make comparisons and describe relationships between objects like big/little, under/over, and first/last

Reading readiness skills

Enjoy listening to stories
Know how to find the first page of a book and which way to flip the pages
Recognize familiar logos and signs, like stop signs
Recite the alphabet and identify most of the letters
Recognize and try to write their own name
Recognize when two words rhyme (like cat and bat)
Start to connect letter sounds to letters (like the sound of the first letter in their name)
Draw a picture to help express an idea

Math skills

Count from 1 to 10 without skipping numbers
Match a number to a group of five or fewer items (“I see three cats”)
Recognize and name basic shapes (square, circle, triangle, rectangle)
Understand more than and less than
Arrange three objects in the right order (like from smallest to biggest)
Name or point to the colors in a box of eight crayons

Self-care skills

Use the bathroom and wash up on their own
Get dressed on their own (but may still need help with buttons, zippers, and shoelaces)
Know and can say their first and last name and age

Social and emotional skills

Separate from a parent or caregiver without getting overly upset
Interact with other kids
Pay attention for at least five minutes to a task an adult is leading, like listening to directions for an activity or discussing the day’s weather during circle time

Fine motor skills

Use a pencil or crayon with some control
Use scissors
Copy basic shapes
Make distinct marks that look like letters and write some actual letters, especially the ones in their name
Put together a simple puzzle

Gross motor skills

Run
Jump with feet together
Hop on one foot
Climb stairs
Bounce a ball and try to catch it

How to help your rising kindergartner

Kids develop skills at different rates. It’s not unusual for kids to have strong skills in one area and weak skills in other areas. Some states use kindergarten readiness tests to get a sense of which early learners might need extra help in some areas.

If you’re concerned your child isn’t ready for kindergarten, talk with your child's preschool teacher and work together to come up with a plan to address any trouble spots. You might also want to talk with your child’s health care provider. Learn about the pros and cons of delaying kindergarten for a year.

If your child is headed for kindergarten, explore these steps for a smooth transition. You might also want to see a set of videos on what kindergarten academic skills look like in action.

Key takeaways

Kids develop skills at different rates and might be strong in some areas and weak in others.
Some states use kindergarten readiness tests to see if kids need extra help in certain areas.
If you’re concerned your child might not be ready for kindergarten, talk to your child’s preschool teacher about how to help.

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About the author

Amanda Morin is the author of “The Everything Parent’s Guide to Special Education” and the former director of thought leadership at Understood. As an expert and writer, she helped build Understood from its earliest days.

Reviewed by

Kristen L. Hodnett, MSEd is a clinical professor in the department of special education at Hunter College in New York City.

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What does my child need to know before kindergarten?

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In today’s post: Find a free kindergarten readiness checklist you can use to determine if your child is ready to start school.

If you have a child heading to kindergarten soon, you may wonder if he or she is ready. Does he know all the things the teacher will expect him to? She can’t read yet – will she be behind all the other kids? Is he ready to be away from home for a half or full day? Should we wait one more year before sending her? It can be very stressful!

The truth is, there are some things you probably think your kid needs to know that he doesn’t, and there may be things you haven’t thought about that he should know! To help answer any questions you might have about school readiness, I’ve created a free printable kindergarten readiness checklist. This school readiness checklist covers both academic skills AND other skills kids should have before starting school: things like standing in a line, being able to zip up a coat, and taking care of all bathroom needs independently. At the end of the post you’ll also find kindergarten teachers’ answers to the question: what is the one most important thing parents can do to prepare their child for kindergarten?

Kindergarten Checklists

If you google your state and the words “kindergarten readiness checklist” you’ll likely find a long document describing the standards for entering kindergarten in your area. Unfortunately, many of those documents are very, very long, and are full of education or government jargon that can be a little hard to understand. To create my checklist I reviewed a number of readiness documents from different states around the country and interviewed kindergarten teachers to find out what skills they think are most important for new kindergarteners to have.

Academic AND Physical Skills

Sometimes all we worry about before sending a child to her first day of school is whether she has the math skills and language skills she will need. But there are non-academic skills that are just as or more important! So I’ve created two different checklists for you to use with your child covering all the thing they should know. And don’t stress: these are very basic skills you can teach in everyday situations.

School readiness guidelines are quite consistent in different areas of the US (both from the state documents and from teacher’s reports). If you work with your child to ensure that she can do most or all of the things on both lists, you’ll know she’ll be ready to head out for her first day of school. You can download the school readiness checklists (in three different colors) at the end of this post.

Academic Readiness

What academic skills should my child have before kindergarten? In order to show kindergarten readiness, your child should be able to:

recognize and name basic shapes: square, circle, triangle, and rectangle
recognize and name numbers 1-10, even when they are out of order
count to 20
count 10 objects, pointing to each one as she counts
say or sing the alphabet
recognize the letters of the alphabet, both uppercase and lowercase (even out of order)
identify colors in an 8-ct crayon pack
recognizes her own name
write her first name
sort items by size, color, or shape
hold a book and turn pages
tell if two words rhyme
identify some letter sounds
say her parents’ full names and phone numbers (at least one)

All the teachers I interviewed said a child doesn’t need to be reading before kindergarten (and most kids aren’t). However, children should be read to regularly by their caregiver to encourage language skills. Teaching common nursery rhymes was mentioned as a great way to get kids reading-ready: knowing how to rhyme is HUGE when it comes to learning how to read.

If your child is having trouble remembering letter sounds, I can’t tell you how much I recommend this video: LeapFrog: Letter Factory

(affiliate link). It teaches the sounds of each letter in a fun and memorable way (the A’s all get scared by a monster, so they scream AAAAAH!). I’ve been absolutely AMAZED at how quickly my kids learned their letter sounds from watching it. You can get it in a combo pack with Talking Words Factory These videos are very effective!

Non Academic Readiness

What other things (non-academic) does my child need to know how to do before kindergarten? Many of these items involve physical development and practicing basic tasks in everyday situations. Your child should be able to:

dress self, including putting on his coat and zipping it up
tie his own shoes
take turns and share
sit quietly and listen
follow simple directions
take care of basic personal hygiene, especially being able to use the bathroom (toilet) by herself, including fastening and unfastening zippers and buttons
put on his backpack
hold a pencil, crayon, or markers
use scissors to cut paper
put things away
hang his backpack on a hook
wash hands with soap
use a tissue to wipe his nose
cough into her elbow
stand in line
drink from a drinking fountain
raise his hand and wait to be called on
open any food containers in her lunch

It’s easy to forget some of these things when you’re preparing your child for school, but imagine how much time it would take for a kindergarten teacher to help 25 kids put on coats or hang up backpacks, etc. One teacher mentioned that kids who have all the other skills become “super students” who are able to help their peers.

How Should I Use the Checklists?

You can print out these checklists and hang them up somewhere in your home. Help your child practice the items on each list, then let your child check off things as he or she masters them. If your child can’t do some of these things, work the new tasks in as part of your everyday experiences. For example, have your child practice opening her own food containers during lunch at home. Point out letters at the grocery store or when you see stop signs. Encourage your child to speak in complete sentences, and give him directions (including two-step directions) to practice following. (NOTE: if you think your child would feel overwhelmed by the idea of a checklist, just use it as a guide for yourself in what you teach.)

As a final note, I asked the teachers I interviewed what is the one most important thing parents can do to prepare their child for kindergarten. These are the responses I got:

Teach kindness and respect (for rules, property, and the feelings of others).
Expose kids to new situations, like playing at a different park or eating in a different setting.
Do activities at home where pre-kinders have to listen without interrupting, take turns, focus on the same activity for 15 minutes, use manners, etc.
Get used to a simple set routine or schedule.
Read! Teach them how to hold a book, how to turn pages, point out common words, etc.
Give them opportunities to play with other children and learn proper behavior (don’t push, take turns, etc).
Give them some responsibilities and teach them to follow through.
Teach nursery rhymes and songs.
Give them chances to be away from home and family so they feel comfortable and confident when they come to school.
Work on gross motor skills by helping them ride a tricycle, bouncing a ball back and forth, working on a simple puzzle, etc.

Download the school readiness checklists

Click these links to download the aqua version of page 1: academic skills and page 2: other skills

Click these links to download the red version of page 1: academic skills and page 2: other skills

Click these links to download the yellow version of page 1: academic skills and page 2: other skills

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What is important for a child to know and be able to do before kindergarten

As a rule, the decision that a child will go to kindergarten is not taken spontaneously by parents. This has been known for at least a few months. Therefore, responsible parents have 2-3 months left to slowly prepare the baby for kindergarten.

Of course, a kindergarten is not a school, and the child does not need any special knowledge. But parents should take care to facilitate his first experience of communication in a team. To make it easier for the baby to adapt, in advance: accustom the child to the daily routine that is set in the kindergarten of your choice; instill in him elementary self-service skills; learn how to communicate with other children and caregivers.

Why the routine is so important

Even if your family doesn't accept or can't follow a certain routine, it should be one of the steps in preparing your child for kindergarten.

It is important that the baby knows how to fall asleep without a mother, especially during the day. In kindergarten, no one will lull him to sleep. If the child begins to wake up, fall asleep, walk, play and study at a certain time, this will greatly facilitate his period of getting used to new conditions. Compliance with the regime will help to adjust the baby's biological clock, he will be less tired, it will be much easier for him to learn and acquire new knowledge and skills.

Of course, it is better if the parents immediately accustom the child to the daily routine that is set in the kindergarten where he is going to go. Therefore, find out the daily routine in the group and adapt the crumbs to it in advance. So he will get the first idea about the discipline, the observance of which is necessary already starting from kindergarten.

It would be useful if your baby knows the words "can't", "should" and "possible". This will make it easier for him to interact with caregivers and help avoid conflicts with other children. The ability to comply with generally established requirements will ultimately reduce the period of adaptation, make attending a kindergarten a pleasure for a child, and not a heavy duty or punishment.

What self-care skills will be required for kindergarten

By the age of three, when the majority of children are ready to attend kindergarten, parents themselves try to ensure that the baby has the necessary skills: to put on and take off clothes without adult help; use cutlery; wash your face, comb your hair, brush your teeth.

From an early age, children already enjoy being independent. Starting to walk, they are already trying to do without the help of adults, including taking off or putting on their clothes, socks and shoes. Encourage this effort by making it easy for your child to wear comfortable clothing and shoes with a minimum of buttons, zippers, Velcro and elastic bands that can be easily removed and put on.

Teach him to recognize your belongings and make sure they look neat and clean. Explain that outer clothing should be hung in a special closet or on a hanger, and lower clothes should be neatly folded on a chair or hung on its back. Even a three-year-old kid can be taught how to clean shoes, wipe them with a special cloth from dust and dirt. Of course, in most cases, his shoes will have to be washed, but the sooner you start teaching your child about neatness, the easier it will be for him in kindergarten.

Children begin to use cutlery, a spoon and a fork, drink from a cup on their own after a year. During this period, you need to gradually abandon the use of bottles with nipples, special mugs with lids for babies. By the time your child enters kindergarten, these skills to use "adult" cutlery, although smaller, should already be well developed if you do not want your baby to remain hungry. Buy him a special children's service, a spoon and a fork, teach him to immediately hold them correctly while eating.

When teaching him to eat on his own, stop trying to turn the process into a game. You should not entertain him by trying to feed him “to satiety”, kindergarten teachers will not encourage this approach. Teach your baby to eat carefully, trying not to spill anything either on clothes or on the table. Teach him how to use napkins.

Parents should also take care of their baby's diet. He will not have the opportunity to choose dishes in the garden. Therefore, teach him to eat what is offered. Explain that for games and activities he will need a lot of strength, and for this he needs to eat well.

Hygiene skills are also taught to the child before kindergarten. One particularly important habit is hand washing. This should be done not only before each meal, but also after walking and playing. Teach him to roll up his sleeves so that in kindergarten he does not walk around with wet sleeves after every wash. Brushing your teeth will be more difficult - not all young children enjoy this process. Therefore, provide your child with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste that tastes good.

One of the most essential skills is the ability to go to the toilet on your own. Diapers, of course, are a convenient thing, but after two years the child should be accustomed to a potty or a toilet with a special seat. In kindergarten, he will be able to use the potty that he is used to at home, the teachers will not mind. Teach him to use toilet paper carefully, to remove and put on panties and tights on his own.

The child must be able to communicate

The first communication skills the baby receives in the family. The more relatives and friends you have, the easier it will be for him to socialize in kindergarten. But a child can also learn to communicate during joint walks with his mother, meetings with other children on the playground. The more open the parents are to contact, the easier it will be for the baby.

Set an example for your child, communicate actively with strangers in front of him, get to know other parents and children. Encourage the initiative of your child, if he shows interest in the people around him and other children, he should not be shy himself and close up when strangers turn to him. Go with him to visit, spend children's holidays in your family. Leave him for some time alone at a party, with friends or relatives who do not live with you. The child should not be afraid that parents, mother are not always there.

Instill in your child a sense of empathy, empathy, the ability to put yourself in the place of another person. Even a three-year-old person is able to realize that not all of his whims and desires should be fulfilled, especially to the detriment of other children. Set him up to be friends with other boys and girls and not offend them, share treats and toys with them.

Accustom the child in the family to group forms of interaction: joint games, cleaning the apartment, evening gatherings, reading books, watching movies. The kid should enjoy communicating with both relatives and strangers, whether they are adults or children.

At the same time, your child should be able to play and study independently by the age of three. Leave him alone with toys more often, because even at home, mom does not always have the opportunity to spend with the child all the time. Find him things that he can do for some time on his own: for example, drawing, coloring, modeling, assembling a designer, folding and moving objects, toys.

Prepare your child for the fact that the teacher is responsible for all children and cannot pay attention only to your child. Maintain the authority of educators in the family, do not allow them to speak badly about them in the presence of the child. And, importantly, teach him to formulate and express his desires. This is necessary so that the baby can ask for the toilet in time, inform the teacher about his other needs.

Intellectual development of the child before kindergarten

The level of development of your child must also meet certain requirements. Of course, all children are different, but by the age of three, the child should already take part in thematic games, memorize the proposed plot and follow it during the game. He must know and be able to show parts of the body, distinguish between gender and age of people, distinguish and draw various geometric shapes - vertical and horizontal lines, circles.

Babies at this age are open to everything new. Tell your child stories, read books, he should be able to listen carefully to what he is told. Pick up for him to listen to audio performances and productions intended for the smallest. Develop his memory, learn poems and songs with him. Expand his vocabulary by repeating new words, explaining concepts new to him. By the time you send your little one to kindergarten, he should already be able to form sentences of at least three or four words.

Conclusions

Preparing a child for kindergarten does not require much time or special knowledge from parents. But the knowledge and ideas about discipline instilled ahead of time will greatly facilitate and shorten the process of adaptation to new conditions for the baby.

What you need to know when your child enters kindergarten

The adjustment period actually begins the moment you decide that your child will attend kindergarten. Try to find out all the questions that interest you and in conversations prepare the child for a change in his life. Come with your child to kindergarten for a walk. Get your child interested in everything that happens in kindergarten.

How do we know if our child is ready for kindergarten?

The main criterion is the willingness of the parents. As long as at least one family member doubts the need for this step, the child will not be ready, even if all tests show otherwise. Practice shows that children whose parents perceive kindergarten as the only and most optimal option get used to it much easier. They are less likely to be harmful in the morning, quickly adapt to the regimen and requirements of the kindergarten, and even get sick less often. This is easily explained. It’s just that parents, clearly understanding that they have no alternatives, do not suffer from doubts: “Maybe it’s not necessary after all?” - and carry out appropriate preparatory work with the child.

At what age is it best to send a child to kindergarten?

When it comes to the age of the child, parents may have completely opposite opinions on this matter. Some psychologists are convinced that it is easier to adapt from 1.5 to 2 years and after 3 years; others say that it is better to send the child to kindergarten during the period of affirmation of "I" and the desire to be independent and adult - from 2 to 3 years. There are many examples that support these recommendations, but even more cases that refute them. In fact, there is no unambiguously prosperous age - this issue must be addressed individually. In general, the period when the child can already speak, use the potty and independently bring a spoon to his mouth is considered the most suitable for entering kindergarten. In addition, most preschools do not accept children under the age of three.

Under what circumstances is it better to postpone admission?

Traditionally, it is believed that there are life circumstances in which it is better to delay entering kindergarten (moving, divorce, the birth of a second child, etc.). Sometimes this is true. In some cases, such changes in family life can be a plus and, conversely, facilitate adaptation. If, of course, the parents managed to properly prepare the child for them. For example, when planning a move, the whole family is preparing for the fact that everyone will have a new significant business there. For a child, this will be admission to His first educational institution - Kindergarten. In each case, the last word remains with the mother.

How and when should you start preparing your child for kindergarten?

If the decision has already been made, stop worrying. Everything will be fine. Do not project your anxiety onto the child, do not discuss possible complications with him. You should not hit the other extreme, drawing the kid idyllic pictures of his life in kindergarten. It is best to take a position of perceived need. Instead of worries and far-fetched conversations, you should take into account the experience of other mothers. To summarize it, when preparing a child for kindergarten, you need to follow only three rules:

To arouse interest and almost envy in those who already go there.
Set up the child that there will be work, and not just a holiday.
How best to introduce the child to the kindergarten.
Find out as much as you can about preschool. Trust your intuition.

What must a child be taught?

First of all, what they won't teach in kindergarten. This is the administration of natural needs at the time possible according to the regime. It sounds menacing and unpleasant, but it's true. Imagine how the baby will feel if he wants to go to the toilet “for the most part” every day during a morning walk. Or what torment awaits him if he is used to going to the toilet only at home. In addition, it is necessary to teach the child to talk about his desires. The more clearly the baby learns to do this, the less problems he will have. Of course, it is worth teaching and playing, and eating, and listening, but, in general, children learn all this very easily already in the garden. It is impossible to drastically change the home mode to the kindergarten one. But if the child gets up at 11. 00 or his daytime sleep begins only at 15.00, then three months before entering the kindergarten, you need to start correcting him. Agree, it will be easier for a child to survive these changes at home with his mother than in a new place with an unfamiliar teacher.

Is it possible to prevent the diseases that often accompany the beginning of a new life?

Before admission. All children need to be hardened, and especially children who are going to kindergarten. Walking barefoot indoors and on the ground in summer in any weather is the easiest and most effective way. This strengthens not only the immune system, but also the nervous system. Any water procedures (shower, bath, lake, sea) are very useful. Gradually accustom the child to cold drinks (kefir, milk, juice from the refrigerator). Ice cream is not only tasty, but also healthy in terms of temperature contrast. Do not forget about vitamin complexes for children and long-term homeopathic preparations for the prevention of acute respiratory infections and influenza. No matter how terrible our ecology may be, a child should be allowed to try different water (from bottled water to tap water). Then the surprise in the form of a severe disorder threatens you less. In a word, less sterility. If you are going to send your child to children's institutions sometime, then you should remember this almost from birth.

How to spend the first weeks in kindergarten?

The first stage - it is better to start walking near the garden. Then (after signing the agreement for admission from such and such a date) take a walk with the child around the courtyard of the kindergarten together with the children of his group and the teacher, walk them to the door of the group, “drop in” for a couple of minutes (you can do this 1-2 days before start of visits, and even better - in a week).
Second stage - join the evening walk of the group; after a walk, go to the group, get acquainted with the room, the situation (it is better to do this in the afternoon, because many children will be taken apart by that time by their parents, and the teacher will have time for you and your child). You can combine the 1st and 2nd stages in one day: come in the morning, and then come in the evening and already go to the group.
The third stage - bring the child in the morning and leave the baby for 1-2 hours in the group, having previously told that he will now play in kindergarten with new toys, and his mother will go to the store and will come for him very soon. This stage can last as long as it takes for your child until he gets used to the idea that they always come for him. The caregivers who monitor your baby during these hours will help you determine the duration of this stage.
Fourth stage - leave the child for the entire first half of the day; come pick him up after dinner.
Step five - leave your baby to sleep. If your child is used to falling asleep only with his mother, then this stage can be quite stressful. Listen to the recommendations of educators, as a rule, they have quite a lot of experience in this matter, come to a mutual decision (maybe the baby is used to falling asleep with a pacifier, with some toy - at first this is quite allowed, tell the educator about your child's habits ). In the following days, gradually increase the time your child spends in kindergarten over the course of 2-3 weeks.
So, when sending your child to kindergarten, don't count on the fact that you will immediately have a lot of free time. The baby must be taught gradually. However, do not drag out this process too much, otherwise the child may become accustomed to being picked up before other children and being in some kind of privileged position. This can negatively affect both your relationship with him and the relationship with the children in the group.
It is worth remembering that the above rules are not dogma, but recommendations. One child will need only a week to adapt, and the other a whole month, or even two. At the same time, the family of the second child will almost certainly have at least one family member who is against going to kindergarten. And the last.
Always remember: the emotional state of the child largely depends on the parents. Never say phrases like: "If you behave badly in kindergarten, you will be punished. " In the mornings, when you are going to kindergarten, try to create a calm, cheerful atmosphere, discuss the upcoming day with a positive attitude. Then it will definitely be successful for you and for the child.

What mistakes do parents make during the child's adaptation to kindergarten?

Unfortunately, there are a few very common parenting strategies that at first glance should make getting used to the garden easier, but in reality only provoke new problems.
The first strategy is idealization. Sending a child to kindergarten, do not promise him a heavenly life. After all, children have a much richer imagination than adults, and therefore idealized images easily arise in them. When these overly rosy ideas of the baby collide with reality (even good reality), the child has a negative reaction and disappointment in the kindergarten (children, educators, etc.). Be honest with the baby: tell him that in the kindergarten he will not only be fun and interesting, but also that he must obey the teacher, follow the daily routine, be polite and accurate . .. Explain that just like you should go to work and fulfill his duties, he must go to kindergarten. This is his “work”: the better and more successfully he masters what he is taught, the faster he will become independent and mature.
The second strategy is “work is work”. You can not be too strict with the child ("It's time - it's time!", "It's necessary - it means it's necessary, and there is nothing to cry, moan!"). Of course, a kindergarten is its new and very responsible duty, but parents must remember and understand that anyone starting a new business (whether it be an adult or a child) has the right both to make mistakes and to experience.
The third strategy is bribery. Many parents try to either introduce direct payment for attending kindergarten, or somehow compensate for the "suffering" of the child, thereby making amends to him. Such a tactic, firstly, makes kindergarten attendance dependent on payments (relations between parents and a small child acquire a not entirely healthy financial nature). And secondly, parental, non-monetary compensation for suffering can finally ruin the immunity of a child who is already weakened during the adaptation period (daily attractions, ice cream parlors, theaters and entertainment centers after kindergarten are an exorbitant burden for a small body).
Fourth strategy - discussion. Do not discuss with your child what you do not like in kindergarten. Such conversations can imperceptibly form a child's negative attitude towards educators, employees, children.
The fifth strategy is “my poor thing”. This is the most terrifying of all misguided parenting strategies. It occurs in parents whose children have any individual characteristics (vision problems, hearing problems, fullness / thinness, speech disorders, chronic somatic diseases). These parents, sending their child to kindergarten, prepare in advance for the fact that they will have to save their child from the ridicule of other children. At the same time, parents do not take into account the real problems of the child at all and forget that complexes in children appear only “thanks” to us, parents. Do you want your child to have no problems? Believe that it will!

Should my child take toys to kindergarten?

No one has the right to say whether you are doing the right thing by giving or forbidding your child to take home toys to the garden. This is your choice. But it is necessary to warn the child that another child can play with his toy, it can break, get lost.
It also happens like this: the child did not want to leave his favorite toys at home, and one day he suddenly announced that he would not take them anymore, because there were so many of them in the kindergarten. "What is this? – Parents are perplexed, – Manifestations of greed?
It's too early to talk about greed at this age. Greed, after all, still needs to be taught to a child (by the way, this is normally a useful quality, like generosity; a sense of ownership comes from them). In this situation, the child may have several reasons for behaving this way:

Children entering kindergarten can take a so-called supporting object (usually a toy) with them. Once adaptation is complete, the object is no longer needed.
Kindergarten children quickly learn how expedient it is to bring their own from home (by the age of four, the rudiments of an adequate sense of ownership already appear), and why it is beneficial to use the public.
Children are very jealous of their toys. Perhaps the child did not like the reaction of caregivers or friends to his toys, and he decided that it was safer to leave them at home.

In a word, there is no reason to worry about the fact that your greedy is growing!

The influence of toys on child development

Every child should have their own special friend toy. It is she who will help him overcome the fear of loneliness when his parents leave somewhere, the fear of the dark, when the lights turn off and you need to sleep. Such a toy will get sick with your baby, and drink bitter tasteless medicines with him.

Children sometimes get angry with their favorite toys, punish them and even break them, throwing them into a far corner, and this is normal. Because the kids remember these same toys in moments of children's grief, they take them out of the corner and repair them, finish painting the worn eyes, noses and lips, sew new dresses, sew on ears and ponytails.

Do not force a child to throw out broken or outdated toys with his own hands! For the baby, these are symbols of his development, positive emotions and experiences are associated with each toy. These are his childhood memories, these are his friends.

Remember that for the development of a child of 3-7 years old, the game is more useful than classes. Make sure that every day the preschooler has time and place for free play. Games should take more time than classes.

Let the child choose what and how he will play. By participating in children's games, an adult can provide support, but should not be directive - let the child show his imagination.

What can toys be made of?

Almost any material can be used to invent a new toy. Do not waste your energy and money looking for expensive toys. Everything a child needs to play is at your fingertips, and toys made with children will bring more joy than store-bought ones.
Let's remember childhood: the favorite place to play was the "house" (chairs covered with blankets, table), where they sat for hours. Various screens will also help you create an individual space for the child's play activities. They can be made from a variety of materials (wood, cardboard, old boxes).
Boxes - houses are of particular interest to children. In different game situations, they turn into a teremok, into a palace, into a garage. The box can also become a "machine" in the child's imagination.
It is very easy to make a little “talking” friend for a child. From any sock you get a toy that will open its mouth. Acting with his hand and talking for the character, the child easily gets used to the character.