I wouldn't recommend that you use worksheets with very young children. While not all worksheets are bad, they all represent a "box" that restrict the free expression that should characterize the inscriptions (doodlings, drawings, attempts at writing) of primary-aged children. DO, on the other hand, provide paper (unlined), crayons and makers, playdoh, etc. for your child to express him/herself.

Michael Bentley, EdD, Expert Panelist

Thank you for reaching out to Education.com

Young children learn best through playing and through hands-on activities. It is also important to allow children to get messy and to experience the outdoors and nature. Worksheets are okay if the child wants to work on them. It is always a good idea to have paper, pencil, markers and crayons on hand and available to the child. An alternative to worksheets would be to get the extra wide ruled lined paper and teach the child to write their name, the alphabet, and numbers. You can encourage more writing by giving the child a small notebook or journal. Their "writing" may just be scribbling or it may be drawings, but at this age the "act" of writing is more important than the accuracy of their work.

Best wishes to you and your child...happy learning!

Cynthia, Counselor
Boys Town National Hotline
1-800-448-3000

Hi jillascott,

If you do decide to give your child worksheets, Education.com has a wide variety of preschool printables, from coloring pages and paper crafts to beginning reading, writing, and math worksheets. Check out the link below to see all of our preschool worksheets. You can sort by specific subjects using the drop-down menus at the top of the page.

Good luck!

Yes, you should use pre K worksheets with your child.  I would buy some dollar store workbooks. Using worksheets will help prepare your child for kindergarten.  Kindergarten students have to learn to sit. If you teach your pre K child how to sit, your child will be ready for kindergarten. If you want to hear the answer to this question in more detail, listen to my podcast at www.blogtalkradio.com/totaltutor. The show took place on September 23rd, 2010.

If you choose to use worksheets, please talk with his pre k teachers to see what they are using.  Pre K students need larger lines as they write more with their shoulder movement than with finger movement.  If you are working on shapes and letters, a crayon on a large piece of paper on an easel or wall is much better as we have better memory in our rotational joints and larger muscles.  If your child can write it large, see if he can write it with eyes closed.  If so you know he has the motor memory and the picture of the shape in his mind.  Now sit down and write or draw on smaller paper.  www.lynslines.wordpress.com has a big list of ways to learn letters without using a pencil!  Encourage learning through fun!

Yes - children learn best when a variety of resources are used so remember play, hands on activities, messy activities, creative activities, worksheets, matching, counting and whatever else you can think of. A good way to introduce number and letter formation is cutting out letters and numbers to cut them out from material, stick them onto card and let your child trace them with his or her finger, model them from play-dough or clay, colouring them, finger painting round pre-drawn letters or numbers, writing patterns, before moving onto writing. This will not only teach writing skills but number and sound recognition. You also remember to say the sounds of the letters as you do them. Children who have structure before starting school cope better as they realise that they can't just play and do what they want all the time.

Yes - children learn best when a variety of resources are used so remember play, hands on activities, messy activities, creative activities, worksheets, matching, counting and whatever else you can think of. A good way to introduce number and letter formation is cutting out letters and numbers to cut them out from material, stick them onto card and let your child trace them with his or her finger, model them from play-dough or clay, colouring them, finger painting round pre-drawn letters or numbers, writing patterns, before moving onto writing. This will not only teach writing skills but number and sound recognition. You also remember to say the sounds of the letters as you do them. Children who have structure before starting school cope better as they realise that they can't just play and do what they want all the time.

Absolutely, by using the worksheets will improve their fine motor skills helping with their writing abilities.  It teaches them to follow instructions and they will begin to recognize some words.  It is great preparation for Kindergarten that you will find will lead to a great start!!  

There are many wonderful worksheets available here on education.com and also include the hands-on activities available here too.  Don't limit yourself to just preschool level, challenge your child with other worksheets and activities targeted for older students too.  

Best wishes and have fun!