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I am researching the different approaches parents are taking in preparing their children for kindergarten and looking for parents to talk with. Some parents simply read to their children daily. Other parents invest in learning tools and focus on specific goals with their child. What do you think? If you'd rather talk with me directly, you can reach me at lisa.applegate1@gmail.com.

We got my daughter Hooked on Phonics learn to read for x-mas.  We will be working on that with her more this summer to get ready with learning how to read.  I will also sign her up in the Chicago Public Library summer reading program, where she will have to complete little book reports.

I let my soon to be 4 year old run her own day. I keep art tools, musical instruments and books lying around the house where she has access to them whenever she wants. I believe that it is much more important for her to learn how to keep herself occupied and to self explore the possibilities of her day without me organizing activities for her to complete. I don't have any structure to the schedule. When we do look at books we are discussing the colors and relationship of objects in the pictures as opposed to the letters and words on the page. She is making connections such as if things are under/over large/small, colors, how many, etc. The reading part can come later. I didn't send my 2nd grader to any preschool and she wasn't reading before kindergarden but she was highly creative and tested into the gifted program at ERGC.  I will let my little one follow the same creative path to find her own strengths.

My baby is starting pre-school this year. He is my only one and when Grandma is babysitting he is by himself. So, I have put my three year old in sports like Soccer and T-ball so he can learn to socialize. I do not have an agenda for him. I do sit and count with him. Ask him what color an item is, color in coloring books and draw. Basicly what ever he is interested in at that time and he does well.  He knows his ABC's. He counts til 10 in English and Spanish. Alot of the things he picks up is from Seasame Street and Diego!