Chances are you’ve never thought of wrapping presents as a great opportunity for some kindergarten readiness fun and learning, but it certainly is! Even though having young children assist isn’t all that much help, it makes the wrapping much more interesting. Some of the things that kids can learn might include:
- colors, sizes, and shapes: Wrapping paper, bows, ribbon, and even bags, come in all different colors. Items to be wrapped may be different shapes and sizes.
- lots of language: Just think of all the language used to explain, give instructions, talk about the different possibilities, and anticipate what people might say when they open their gifts. There will lots of questions, too, like where is the tape? How can it keep disappearing?
- sequencing: Can a bow go on first? No, the paper goes on first. This is certainly hands-on learning about what has to come first, and doing steps in order.
- math concepts: Besides sizes and shapes, and counting, there are ideas like
length and width, and skills like comparing and estimating. Will this present fit in this box or is it bigger than the box?
- prewriting and prereading: Every present needs a tag. Big hands can lightly print the names and little hands might enjoy going over the letters with markers. If your child is interested, say the names of some of the letters. Are there any names that start with the same ones? This is a super activity for reinforcing the idea that print carries a message.
- participating and working together: Kids love to help and to be involved. Their self-esteem is nourished when they feel they have something to contribute.
Children learn from the activities that we do in our homes. Fun and learning come in all kinds of packages, and even in wrapping them up. Can you ‘elf wrap up some more?