By the start of kindergarten, most kids are able to sing the "Alphabet Song." But reading, writing and understanding all those letters and their sounds? That takes more time, and practice makes perfect. Here's a journal activity that can help your child develop her alphabet understanding.

Let's put it this way: it's a rare kindergartener who's going to win penmanship honors. Should you worry? Not yet! Instead, help your child build hand strength and coordination by making a squeezy ball from some homemade, nontoxic "silly, squeezy putty."

Want to help your child write the alphabet beautifully? Painting is one of the best things you can have her do to improve her small motor skills. Let the creativity flow with this activity that uses lots of brush strokes, along with some color mixing science, and even some art history.

Kindergartners spend a lot of time working in groups, so it's important that they learn to identify different moods and feelings. Create this color-coded "mood meter" and help your child read her moods... and yours!

Is your kindergartener learning to write the alphabet? Help your child with letter writing and recognition in this "kinesthetic" activity that incorporates movement and art to aid learning.

Next time your kindergartener gives a present, try skipping the wrapping paper and give it inside a homemade "treasure box" instead. It's an easy and creative way to get her practicing her writing and fine motor skills!

Modern artists offer wonderful inspiration for young artists exploring the wild and exciting world of shapes and color. As a bonus, painting helps build the fine motor skills that every kindergartner needs. Here's a great way to get started.

Now that your child is in kindergarten, those repetitive preschool texts like "Brown Bear" may seem like relics...but look again. They can be the basis of excellent reading and writing development.

Here's a painting activity that incorporates some art history - the style of the great modernist painter, Mondrian - and gives your child a chance to work with geometric shapes and practice the vertical and horizontal strokes he uses in forming letters. Get ready for some stunning results, too.

Give your kindergartener a beautiful way to say "I love you" while giving end-of-year math and writing skills a workout!