After all that exercise with socks (see yesterday) we need a less strenuous activity. This one makes putting away the clean laundry lots more fun. With the family’s socks all washed, it’s time to match the pairs. Simply matching is a readiness for kindergarten activity. After all, kids need to match the name on their paper to the name on their cubby, etc. They need to match if 2 letters are the same or different. Matching is a needed skill.
But parents and caregivers can extend the activity by talking about the socks. Here are some sample comments: That blue sock goes with this blue sock–they are the same. Oh look; these 2 socks are the same color but 1 is big and 1 is little–they are different sizes. No, Red Sock; you do not match up with that green sock–come back over here and wait patiently until we find your match. These are a few ideas; kids will even come up with their own questions and comments. Ask what’s the same or different about 2 socks, too. Such discussion really enriches children’s control and use of language which is critical for later learning to read. Kindergarten readiness can be as simple as a sock and will sock away lots of important readiness for kindergarten skills for your child.