Get Ready for Kindergarten: Math & Science

Get Ready for Kindergarten: Math and Science introduces age-appropriate science concepts through a series of fun activities and experiments. The skills covered include completing patterns, matching pairs, matching words or numbers to pictures, connecting the dots, solving puzzles, completing mazes, and more. Topics include counting and number names; sorting and groups; days of the week; seasons; identifying healthy foods; the senses; animal names; dinosaurs; and more.

One of two new titles in the bestselling "Get Ready for School" series reinforces basic age-appropriate knowledge in the subjects of math and science through engaging activities

Get Ready for Kindergarten: Math and Science introduces age-appropriate science concepts through a series of fun activities and experiments. The skills covered include completing patterns, matching pairs, matching words or numbers to pictures, connecting the dots, solving puzzles, completing mazes, and more. Topics include counting and number names; sorting and groups; days of the week; seasons; identifying healthy foods; the senses; animal names; dinosaurs; and more.

Children's Literature

This is precisely the kind of book I would have loved as a child! I would have whipped through the exercises for sheer entertainment. It is essentially a collection of colorful worksheets offering simple math, print and science concepts, which are well aligned with curriculum standards for this age group. Although the directions are simple, a parent or caregiver would need to help youngsters with reading. For example, after preliminary practice with writing and counting numbers, the directions read "Fill in the missing numbers, counting from 1 to 10." The illustrations feature stars, with prompting numbers to help the new mathematician keep track of his/her efforts. In the latter half of the book, concepts of season are explored with exercises such as circling the clothing worn in the spring, and "Here is a picture of a farm in the spring. Color it in!" The sturdy spiral binder includes a detachable "memory" card game set, stickers and counting cards. In this digital age, the format will not appeal to everyone, nor be effective with every learner, but for those families willing to spend interactive time with young children using the material, it is a satisfying resource. It could also be used with young, new English Language Learners to provide some basic background knowledge useful in an American public kindergarten class. Reviewer: Dawna Lisa Buchanan

Elizabeth Van Doren has worked as a children's book editor for more than twenty years. She has consulted with educators and specialists to create books that enhance learning basic skills through fun and appealing activities. She lives in New York City.