One of the most important benchmarks for a child is developing a strong foundation of cognitive abilities; this helps prepare them for enrollment in Pre-K, as well as other social and developmental milestones. Even if your child is still a while away from Pre-K, there are plenty of activities you can do with them at home to build cognitive skills, so the child care professionals from Carrier Learning Center in Bristol, CT, have compiled some tips for you below. 

5 At-Home Activities From Pre-K Experts for Building Cognitive Skills 

1. Identify Different Noises 

Have your young learner identify different noises they hear during the day, like a car horn honking, or a bird singing outside. This activity will enable them to begin to understand how such sounds relate to their daily environment and surroundings, especially the next time they see that bird perched on a branch outside their window. 

2. Practice Shapes & Colors 

When playing with your child, try identifying the shapes and colors of the items you’re playing with. Say out loud: “this is a brown, square box,” or “the light is round and green.” As your child gets a bit older, they’ll soon be able to describe objects to you, much in the same way. 

3. Take Field Trips 

One great way to get your child interested in learning is to take them to places they’ve never been before, like the botanical gardens or a farmer’s market. Provide them with hands-on experiences that they’ll remember afterward; this can be something as simple as having them help pick out the vegetables at the market or bringing them to a children’s museum. 

4. Play With Household Items 

Having your child play with things they find around the home can be a wonderful way to get them thinking about things like shapes, sizes, numbers, and measurements. Try getting them to match the lids on different sizes of pots you have in the cupboard or pour the flour into that next meal you make. 

​​​​​​​5. Sing a Song

Singing along with your child can help them improve both their memory as well as their word recognition. Have them sing with you to their favorite song, and before you know it, they’ll be singing all by themselves. 

If you’re interested in learning more ways to boost your child’s cognitive skills, Carrier Learning Center has a host of tips for you. Call them today at (860) 589-3000 to find out about their Pre-K and infant care services. You can also visit their website for a closer look at their programs.