Early Reading & Math Tips for African American Parents

African American Parents should begin teaching skills early as possible. I will give you examples to begin with the items you have at home or low cost items to enhance teaching the skill to your child.

COLORS:

RED, BLUE, GREEN, YELLOW, GREEN, ORANGE, WHITE, BLACK, BROWN, PURPLE, PINK
Find items around the house with these colors. (Make sure red is red and not pink.

1. Begin with one color (let's say RED), and stay with that color until your child has mastered knowing and recognizing that color. Put 3 or 4 Red items in a bag

2. Add another Color when child knows one color. For example add Yellow. Find yellow items around the house put in a bag. After your child has mastered Yellow mix the red and yellow items in a bag and ask the child to pick out 1 red item, (see if they understand the color "RED." Then ask the child to pick out 1 yellow item. (see if they understand the color "YELLOW." Do this over and over until the child knows these colors inside and out. Repeat the same by adding one more color at a time.


SHAPES:

3. Do the same with Shapes. Circle, Square, Triangle.

4. Go to the Public Library and find Picture books on Colors, Shapes and Read this book over and over.

LETTERS & SOUNDS OF LETTERS:

5. Begin with Upper Case (Capital Letter). Start with one letter at a time and repeat with each letter. (Your child may not be ready for letters and numbers until age 3) Make sure you teach the sound along with the letter. For example if you begin with the letter B. Show them B and say the sound "Ba, Ba, Ba" and give them word that they know that begins with "B" such as "Ball".
Repeat until your child knows all letters and sounds.
Remember: Teaching does not happen in a week or even a month. You Teach your Child over the course of several weeks and months. So by the time they are 5 years old, they have mastered these skills.

MATH & COUNTING

6. Introduce numbers the same way. Teach your child the concept of one item, two items, three items, and so on.

7. Do simple math; for example put one apple in a bag, add another, now teach your child you now have two apples. Keep adding objects to the bag until your child has mastered the concept of counting, then adding, then subtraction.

Your Local Dollar Store has inexpensive items to help teach your child.

Magnetic Numbers
Magnetic Letters
Foam Letter and Numbers in a puzzle
Letter and Numbers Flash Cards
Picture Books
Toddler and Preschool Workbooks
Crayons - Thick Crayons for Toddlers
Simple Wooden Puzzles
Memory Game - Matching Colors, animals, etc.


If you need further ideas or have questions contact me at: RaisingSmartBlackKids@gmail.com