Come on ...think about it.

There are some things that are really hard to teach.  As I said in a previous blog entry, teaching the difference between what is interesting and what is important can be difficult.   On the other hand, there are some things that are easy to teach.   For the life of me, I can't understand how a child could come to school and not know some things, like colors.  My husband reminds me that it is only because I am in the business.  Maybe, but I just think parents don't think about it.

Take colors for example.  How can a child grow to be five years old and not know colors?  Think about it, as you dress your child or they dress themselves, just talk.  Say things like, We are putting on your pink shorts.  Let's get your blue shirt.  Can you get your green truck?  As you drive down the street say, do you see that brown dog? Better yet, do you see that mangy, brown dog?  That means he is dirty and needs a hair cut.   He is out of control. See it really is easy.

While you are at it, teach left and right.   This can sometimes be difficult for kids to grasp.  But if you use the terms in authentic situations, they will learn it.  Again, as you get your child dressed, say, I need your left foot for your shoe.   Put your right arm in.  Parker, who is five, knows left and right from Ms. Navigator in the car.  He has heard Ms. Navigator tell his mom to 'turn left' so many times that now when the navigator isn't on, he will ask, Mom, are we turning left or right?

Use everyday experiences and routines to teach the basic skills that really are easy (and necessary).  Your child may not know the difference between taupe, beige and off-white, but your child will learn the basic colors.