Learning resources for 3 year old

[beachpeachpearplum]

(I'm aware this post will probably make me appear to be a pushy mum - I'm honestly not at all!! DD is naturally really bright, and seeks out and enjoys learning experiences)

3 year old DD goes to school next September and I'm looking for recommendations for learning resources to do with her at home. This is because she asks to, not because I am pushing it onto her!

She already knows:
Colours
Shapes
Can count objects in front of her
Can count to 30
Recognises letters
Can name the sound a word starts and ends with
Can have a go at copying writing her name
Enjoys orchard games

So looking for things to build on this. Any recommendations much appreciated 😊

I’m not boasting either but my 3yr old can also do all these things and I thought she was pretty average?

If you want to "stretch" her academically Try odd one out puzzles/games. Like this
Ask her why it's the odd one out etc o get her a toddler/kids puzzle book.

But really? Read, read and read. talk about what you've read, get her to answer questions about what you've just read, get her to ask questions to you, get her to imagine things like "I wonder what the dog did next" etc.

Otherwise
Take her out to explore the world and get her to problem solve, IE, let her work out how to.climb the difficult climbing frame, or how to move all the leaves from one place to another, or even just pose 'problems' like... "It's lunch, and we need to have clean hands..." And let her work out what needs to happen next.

Get her independent. Can she dress herself? Do up a zip? Put her shoes on properly? (My sister is a reception TA and is amazed at how many kids can't do these basic tasks, which they're more than capable of, of given the opportunity to problem solve and try it themselves!)

P.s read.

Where did I say I was boasting 🙄

This is helpful thank you 😊

Haha, my five year old probably can't do all of those! Oh dear. Mind you I've never thought he was especially bright.

If you're lazy OP (doesn't sound like it but you never know) then alphablocks and number blocks are actually quite good on the tv. My older son also used to like to do simple adding and subtracting games using his toy plastic animals or bits of Lego etc. do lots of reading too, you can't beat it.

Get her independent. Can she dress herself? Do up a zip? Put her shoes on properly? (My sister is a reception TA and is amazed at how many kids can't do these basic tasks, which they're more than capable of, of given the opportunity to problem solve and try it themselves!)

I came on to suggest this, and see @00100001 has beaten me to it.

She's a great age for learning practical life skills, and they can take a while to master.

Following in from the reading... Get her to tell you stories.

She should be able to tell you simple stories like -
"A boy and mom were at the park. He played on the slide. Then he saw a dog running. Then he got an ice cream. And then he played with the dog. And then the dog ate all the ice cream. The boy went to his mom. The mom was happy.”

I think what made difference to may dc was just exposure. Counting and reading are something that most child get eventually. It's matter of early or not, and equalised by end of yr2.

If you really want to give your dc a different stimulant, think outside of box. Immerse him in art, music, sports, foreign language, whatever interest him or her.

Reading to your kids isn't about getting them to read.... If that makes sense.

It's exposing them to language, ideas, possibilities. It opens up conversation. It introduces aspects of creativity, critical thinking, problem solving.
It encourages curiosity.
It's a bonding. It's quite time.

It's the best thing ever.

Twinkl. Reading eggs.

🙄 most 3 year olds can’t do those things. Learning letter sounds, identifying starting and end sounds in words, counting to 30 and 1:1 correspondence with counting, writing their name are all skills which will be worked on in reception and year 1!

OP, my child is 3.5 and loves numberblocks, we got a set (about £25 on Amazon) which has a full set of activities linked to episodes, encouraging early mathematical skills and understanding. My daughter loves playing with them and has a really solid understanding of the numbers to 10 from it (more than just saying the numbers in order).

we also have a yoto player and the duplo letter card set which encourages letter recognition and phonics skills, though your child may be a bit beyond this already. There’s also phonics sets for phases 1-3 (usually taught in nursery and reception).

and as above, lots of reading books to her! Yoto is also good for this when you’re feeling lazy 😂

She already knows

Colours : How to mix colours to make the desired colour.
Shapes : Want to know what extraordinary shapes are called,
Can count objects in front of her: Start dividing, sharing with others.
Can count to 30: Most kids can do, soon or later.
Recognises letters : Yes, most kids can do, soon or later. Does she/he want to make words, sentence with it?
Can name the sound a word starts and ends with: Meh. As above.
Can have a go at copying writing her name : Does she/he do it without prompt by you? How about copying other words on the books, walls etc?
Enjoys orchard games: Yes, most kids enjoy games.

These things are the good indicator of her intelligence, imo. And I think you should encourage it. But don't limit the encouragement just for academics.

Science experiments - which things will float, which are heavier (weigh them or feel them)
Colour mixing - with paint or food colouring
Books - DDs school nursery gave her books with no words in so she could make up a story. She found this really hard!
Patterns - using objects or colouring in a pattern. You could also do this with threading e.g. using coloured pasta
Shape hunt - looking for different shapes, naming more unusual shapes
Writing - writing her name in different ways e.g. with a pencil, with her finger. Starting to learn other people's names so she can write Christmas cards
Comparing numbers - using blocks/marbles etc and seeing which set is larger. Predict first just by looking and then count to check
Learn about the world - discover what interests her and find out about it in real life or in books e.g. bugs, planets
Role play - get her to be the teacher and teach her teddies
Constructive play - playdough, Lego etc. Good for imagination and finger strength