I need help to teach my four year old

[amber_harold]

I need help teaching a four year old shapes,colors ,and the abc's no attention span what so ever but school is comming soon i need some advice on how to get through to him please help me i am really in need

[Sandman2]

   Great advice by specialmom!  
Since public schools accept everyone, you must be looking at a private school?  If so, its a good idea to visit one and talk to the kindergarten teacher.

[specialmom]

Okay, my experience is that you have to make everything fun and a game.  If not, they resist it.  And if you put pressure on it----------  they sense that and again, resist it.  You live in a different area than I do as in my area-----------  there are no entrance exams for 4 year olds. . .  Our public school is rated "excellent" and actually got a "distinction in excellence". I have a kindergartener there now and a first grader.  They have a big sign as you enter the kindergarten area saying "If your child comes to school knowing everything they need to know, then they have not spent enough time in the sandbox!"  I really believe that.  Shapes, numbers and ABC's come.  Relax about it.  I think a child that is read to often and you can pick books on shapes and colors---------  they are on their way.  Look for culteral things to introduce your child to--------- a children's museum, some art, a nature center (usually free at a big park), the zoo, etc.  This encourages a child's desire to learn and "know" about things.  

So, find your local library and look at books on abc's, numbers, shapes and colors.  Read them to him but without trying to grill him about it.  Then maybe write letters on small paper plates and turn on music----------  when you turn the music off and call out a letter--------- he has to find it and jump on it.  That kind of thing.  Have fun with it!  good luck

[amber_harold]

thank you i am a 24 yr old mom with no family to help so it is very hard for me but im doing the best i can im just afraid he is not going to catch on quick enough for school to accept him they are getting strict now a days

[Sandman2]

   You want to do things in a very short time frame and only several things at a time till he knows those.  Don't give him more then maybe 3 things at a time.  As he learns those then quickly repeat them again at the start.  
  After maybe 7 min at the most - take a break.
  The more colorful, fun, fuzzy, big, etc. objects you can find, the better.
  There are tv shows that are very good too - Sesame Street  is the prime example.
   Frankly, boys are not always into this kind of stuff.  So any time you have a teachable moment (and I mean moment) grab it.  In the grocery store, in the car, at the playground, etc.  Just say "what color is that".  If he doesn't know (and stick to the basic colors), have him repeat its name.  Maybe touch it.  then repeat it again.  Then drop the questioning for awhile.
    Shapes and colors  and counting should be easier because they are everywhere.  Letters are tougher.   Also if he is a young 4 year old, don't panic.  And finally, my daughter was reading before kindergarten, my son couldn't care less.  But we still read to him everynight, and he turned out ok.  Which reminds me,  do read to him everynight!!
  Best wishes.