School Preparation

Experience counts in building vocabulary. The size of a toddler's vocabulary is strongly correlated with how much a mother talks to the child. At 20 months, children of chatty mothers averaged 131 more words than children of less talkative mothers; at 2 years, the gap had more than doubled, to 295 words. The critical factor is the number of times the child hears different words (Huttenlocher). Only live language, not television, produced these vocabulary and syntax boosting effects.

Scientists have reported in Neurological Research that spatial-temporal reasoning in 3 and 4 year olds was affected by weekly piano lessons. This kind of reasoning underlies math, engi-neering and chess. Parents and preschool teachers need to tune into each child's daily experiences and needs, helping them feel safe and loved while encouraging them to explore and experiment in a rich environment of educational resources.

Young children seem to gravitate toward the natural world of animals, insects, and plants. Children love being involved in experimenting and asking questions. The more that they can be involved in a variety of experiences, the better they will be prepared to enter a formal schooling process. The gifted child's needs are sometimes overwhel-ming for parents.

Check out all the educational programs in the museums, zoos, libraries, and recreational or cultural centers for specific points of interest for your child. Children's museums and discovery centers are located regionally and in the state capital.