When I opened “Playroom Prep,” I immediately recognized that a seasoned educator had laid out the fun (teacher mom and daughter team), engaging activities for children to prepare for their first classroom experience. As a speech-language pathologist I am always excited to see products created by teachers. I’ve worked with many parents over the last 35 years and some innately know how to teach beginning colors, concepts, vocabulary and writing skills through everyday activities and others are well-meaning but need some direction. “Playroom Prep” is perfect for parents who want to build early skills through fun interaction together with their child. Open the front cover to see the 3 simple steps–Prepare, Discuss and Trace. Parents are given a calendar of days and activities to build skills, shown how to expand on activities through conversation and given the proper grip and direction for tracing lines and letters. Each letter has arrows and numbers to indicate the direction and order of lines to be traced as well as illustrated words beginning with that letter sound, and cute full page illustrations reinforcing that letter for tracing practice. An erasable crayon and cloth are provided for repeat work. The discussion step demonstrates how to build language skills further, asking specific questions about the page, “What animals do you see racing toward the carrots?” to expansion questions relating the subject to your child’s experience, “Do you like to run and hop with animals?” I would add that you will get more talking if you ask What? Where? and possibly Why? questions instead of yes/no questions. An excellent video demonstration is on their website to give parents/caregivers even more instruction on fun ways to introduce the material. Simple yet filled with essential learning tasks presented in a colorful, engaging way, “Playroom Prep” is portable fun, designed to teach pre-literacy, fine motor and language skills while building confidence and self-esteem.
Available at Playroom Prep. Click here