In a child’s preschool years, there is intensive development of skills that will be crucial for future success at school and in life. At this age, children are exceptionally open to new information and abilities.
Parents often ask: "Does my child know enough? Are they ready for school?" Whether a child is ready is determined by several important skills—above all writing (graphomotor skills), counting (early mathematical concepts), and the ability to concentrate (focus and attention). Mastering these basics builds a child’s confidence and makes starting first grade easier.
How to teach a child to write?
Interest in writing appears individually, but most often around ages four to five. It’s natural if a child shows interest earlier or later. It’s important to notice this interest in time and support it appropriately. A key prerequisite for successful writing is the proper development of fine motor skills and the ability to coordinate hand and eye movements. You can help with games where children thread beads, draw, and trace simple shapes. A child is ready to write when they spontaneously begin to imitate writing, sketches, or simple shapes.
You can help by getting suitable tools. Magnetic drawing boards, sand trays for finger drawing, ergonomic crayons, and triangular pencils are among the best aids for developing a correct grip and motor skills. Graphomotor worksheets allow children to gradually gain hand control through various shapes and patterns.
You can also include other motor exercises. For example, creative art activities like drawing, painting, or modeling with playdough. Suitable activities are those that don’t keep children passive but require concrete hand involvement—gluing, squeezing, or folding paper. Each of these activities strengthens the hand muscles and fine motor skills while being fun for children.
When should you start with counting?
Counting is an important part of preschool education. A child who understands basic mathematical concepts such as numbers, comparing sizes, quantities, and sorting objects has an easier start at school. Mathematical abilities influence logical and analytical thinking, which further supports general problem-solving skills.
Start introducing math through everyday activities. The number of pieces of fruit they take for a snack, how many steps from the door to the table, how many utensils are needed on the table.
How about reading?
A child who is ready to start learning to read shows several typical signs. These include an interest in letters, the ability to concentrate for at least 15–20 minutes, recognizing certain letters or sounds, an interest in looking through books, the ability to tell a simple story based on pictures, or showing curiosity about written text. The ability to phonetically distinguish at least some sounds is also important.
Give your child plenty of verbal stimulation. From an early age, read bedtime stories, recite rhymes, tell stories in your own words, and play word games. This will expand their vocabulary, develop language skills, and help them see written text as something interesting and worth exploring.
Children learn best through play. Start with simple activities such as matching letters or pictures on cards, a letter memory game, using magnetic letters on the fridge, playing "what sound does the word start with", singing the alphabet, or playing riddles.
However, don’t worry if your child isn’t showing interest in reading, writing, or math. Or if you don’t have time to develop these abilities with your child. In first grade, teachers at school will take over. Their job is to teach children and nurture talents.