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Only if the parents have entirely checked out on, you know, parenting. An early start on reading is invaluable to a child. Parents who make no attempt to teach their children and leave it entirely to others are either poorly educated themselves or incredibly selfish.
4 year olds don't need to know how to write, there's plenty of time for that.
In the US, they take a test before entering kindergarten to test their skills of which this child may have none. Years ago what you are saying was true but not anymore.
And, both parents should be concerned about the child. Good grief, doesn't he even doodle, color and write with crayons? Not even his name?
In the US, they take a test before entering kindergarten to test their skills of which this child may have none. Years ago what you are saying was true but not anymore.
And, both parents should be concerned about the child. Good grief, doesn't he even doodle, color and write with crayons? Not even his name?
Pretty sure that every school district is different.
In the US, they take a test before entering kindergarten to test their skills of which this child may have none. Years ago what you are saying was true but not anymore.
And, both parents should be concerned about the child. Good grief, doesn't he even doodle, color and write with crayons? Not even his name?
Well my grandma an mom had bought him coloring books and crayons but none of his parents would sit with him and actually supervise him.they always come up with some futile excuse as to why.
Anyways today i bought him chalks. crayons. a board and a sketching notebook for him to practice and play needless to say he enjoyed them very much. However i noticed he has A LOT of trouble following instructions i am not sure if its a normal.
Thanks everyone for your opinions and recommendations.
following directions will come with maturity and time in school. don't worry about that. just let him play with color, texture, shapes etc and don't get hung up on staying in the lines when he colors. Creative folks don't stay in the lines.
Well my grandma an mom had bought him coloring books and crayons but none of his parents would sit with him and actually supervise him.they always come up with some futile excuse as to why.
Anyways today i bought him chalks. crayons. a board and a sketching notebook for him to practice and play needless to say he enjoyed them very much. However i noticed he has A LOT of trouble following instructions i am not sure if its a normal.
Thanks everyone for your opinions and recommendations.
Good for you! So glad you did the right - and caring - thing.
As for following directions, it may be that the little fellow has so little experience with using art materials - or simply with interacting with an adult giving him instructions - that he needs to be taught by example rather than by just telling him what to do. So, draw and eventually write along with him, and talk about what you're doing (you don't have to be a great artist). Just "What color is the sky? Right, it's blue - can you find a blue crayon to use? Good, that's a nice blue one we can use. Let's see - the sky is up there, but look how it comes right down to the ground, too" (little kids invariably draw a band of blue across the top of their artwork for the sky - perfectly logical, if not visually accurate). Continue with similar discussion of what colors and shapes things are - he needs to know colors, ABCs (both recite and write capital letters),shapes, numbers, names and sounds of common animals, etc. before entering kindergarten. Does he know the alphabet song? If not, teach it to him - it's easy, fun, and very useful.
Also, check out "concept" books at your local library - there are picture books which reinforce counting, colors, the alphabet, and much more. Ask the children's librarian for good books to share with him, and see if there are storytimes to which you could take him. Reading to him and discussing what you read builds imagination, knowledge, and attention span, and it's fun as well. Don't forget nursery rhymes and songs - all small children should learn and enjoy them. Oh, yes, basic nursery stories are important: "Goldilocks and the Three Bears", "The Three Little Pigs", "The Three Billy Goats Gruff", and so on. Again, there are picture book versions for small children, along with collections. Does he own books? If not, see if the library has book sales from time to time, and start supplying books for birthday and holiday presents. Also check with thrift stores for inexpensive children's books.
You are being a true blessing to this little boy, and you'll be rewarded with the fun of seeing him blossom and flourish. Too bad his parents are so clueless and uninvolved...perhaps that will change when they see how quickly he will make progress with your attention, interest, and involvement.
Moderator Cut. Otherwise the parents (both) had better step up.
The whole "man's job/woman's job" thing is the sign of an outdated, anachronistic relationship.
Last edited by Jaded; 08-18-2013 at 01:05 AM..
Reason: Inappropriate language/comment
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