Ready For School
Buying materials
Buying Materials
There is a wide range of commercially produced material which will
help you to support your child's early learning. The materials listed
below will support the activities suggested in the main body of
the document.
English - Reading
It is strongly recommended that children have early access to books.
Children are welcome to join Bexley libraries from babyhood. Picture
books and early readers are available for loan and each library
has a professional librarian, for at least part of the week, who
will give advice on suitable books.
The following authors write books which are very popular with
young children and are generally recommended by schools and libraries.
These are available from libraries and can be purchased from good
book shops and at the Early Learning Centre chain of shops, which
has a branch at Bexleyheath.
Janet and Allan Ahlberg
Kaye Amansky*
Camilla Ashforth
Christopher Awdrey
Tony Bradman*
Ruth Brown
Antony Browne
Eileen Browne*
Rod Campbell
Eric Carle
Trish Cook*
Babette Cole
Penny Dale*
Niki Daly*
Lynley Dodd
Tony Fergus
Sarah Garland*
Colin and Jacqui Hawkins
Eric Hill
Jane Hissey |
Sandra Horn*
Shirley Hughes
Pat Hutchings
Mick Inkpen
Rachel Isadora*
Judith Kerr
David McKee
Jill Murphy
Helen Nicoll
Jennifer Northway*
Jan Omeroid
Helen Oxenbury*
Michael Rosen
Tony Ross
Mavis Scott*
Iolette Thomas*
Martin Waddell
Verna Aletti Wilkins*
* Books which portray a range of cultures. |
There is a range of computer software on the market which introduces
a variety of reading related activities to children. Your supplier
will be able to advise on material suitable for your computer but
the following software would give your child valuable experiences
of books and early reading skills.
English - Listening and talking
Many of the books above are available with cassettes. Access to
some of these will encourage listening skills.
A book for parents which contains advice and activities to share
with young children to extend their listening and speaking skills
is TALKING AND YOUR CHILD (positive parenting) published by Hodder
and Stoughton.
The same firm publishes HOME LEARNING BOOKS, which are supported
by the National
Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations.
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Mathematics
A range of games involving matching similar pairs are available
at the Early Learning Centre. These will extend language, concentration
and observation skills. Card games, such as happy families, develop
the same skills.
Counting games such as Ludo or Snakes and Ladders help children
with matching the spoken numeral to one movement/square as well
as developing the notions of taking turns and winning and losing.
A simple large calculator is an enjoyable item and excites children's
interest in numbers. There are a range of computer programmes available
which help with number recognition, etc. The following are readily
available in local stores:
-
PLAY AND LEARN AT THE ZOO -
colour recognition, matching, etc., includes some reading
related activities
-
MILLIE'S MATHS HOUSE -
activities including numbers, shapes and patterns
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Science and Technology
Magnifying glasses interest children and draw their attention
to the need to observe closely. A collecting box with a magnifier
in the lid encourages sustained observation.
Construction toys -
Duplo, Lego, etc.
give practice in designing and dexterity.
Art and Music
The Early Learning Centre has a range of materials for early experiments
with colour, painting, drawing and modelling. They also stock a
range of simple musical instruments and taped songs.
Books for Adults
If you are interested in learning more about helping your child
there are a range of books for parents on the market. Most Bexley
libraries have a parents' shelf and the librarian will be happy
to help. There are also "special situation" picture books
available there to help your child adjust to a change, like going
to hospital, or the death of a pet.
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