Best of … kindergarten success tools

Contributed by Tim Brugger, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru

In addition to quality nap time (something many of us still appreciate), finger painting and storytelling, kindergarten is a great place to lay a foundation for learning.

Helping our youngsters appreciate the joy of education from an early age sets the stage for a lifetime of learning.

Measuring kindergarten success doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s simply a matter of providing the right tools that make learning fun. To get you started, here are the Best of Kindergarten Success Tools.

Talking cash register

Basic money management

Unlike the federal government, kindergarteners have the capacity to learn the ins and outs of money. And the talking cash register from MindWare is a great place to start. They’ll learn important lessons such as if you put one dollar in, you don’t get to take two dollars out; unless you work at the Treasury. But we’ll save that lesson for the 4th grade, when their better able to distinguish common sense from reality. For now, making change for a dollar will do.

Archaeology kit

Combines world history and science

The perfect introduction to science, Egyptology and Indiana Jones, the Egyptian Pyramid Archaeology Kit from the one and only Metropolitan Museum of Art Store is sure to spark the imagination. Kindergarten success is assured by using the hieroglyphics to unlock the mysteries inside. Some may think this a bit beyond the average 5 or 6 year old, but as any kindergarten teacher will tell you; don’t make the mistake of underestimating our short people.

Brain teasers

Intellect workouts for kids

There’s no school like old school, and that’s exactly what you get with Highlights for Children. Even for those of us who grew up scratching notes on stone tablets in kindergarten, Highlights was with us every step of the way. Like any muscle, the brain needs a good workout now and again, which is exactly what the kindergartners will get with Dizios. A domino like brain-bender game, Dizios has won a ton of awards from the likes of Mensa Select, Parent’s Choice and the Seal of Excellence from Creative Child Magazine.

Giant cutouts

Imagination fuel

Creativity is the mother of invention; or some such nonsense as that. Anyway, there’s no denying that kindergarten success must include some arts and crafts projects. Art is a great way to utilize the imagination, and these Giant Person Shapes from Discount School Supply fit the bill nicely. They can even be used to introduce children to the concept of diversity, and celebrate all the things that make us unique. Not bad for a foot-high, cardstock person.

Timetracker

Beginners time management

Kindergartners, you gotta love ‘em. Though, in all fairness, it must be said that keeping them on task takes the patience (and will) of a trained professional; especially since the banning of straitjackets in the classroom. With that in mind, Learning Resources offers up for consideration the Time Tracker; an extremely cool way to keep kids on pace and on task.

Linguistics tools

Encouragement and skill-building

Attaining kindergarten success for students with special needs just got a lot easier. The folks at PCI Education have a huge selection of tools, toys and products to helps kids that need an extra leg up. The Easi Speak bundle includes everything needed to help the reluctant speaker or reader. Do you know a student who’s struggling, perhaps autistic or otherwise developmentally disabled? PCI Education’s focus on providing students the support they need to succeed, virtually ensures they’ll be able to help.