Early Years
If your child were at school, for the period of time they are in the Reception Class they would be largely following an early years play based curriculum The following ideas are to support you to work on early years play based activities with your child. Some young children and those with special/additional needs may require activities like this for much longer.
Learning through play
Engage in experiential, sensory, messy ‘hands on’ activities regularly, such as sand and water play (good for early maths and science ideas). Introduce the right language and talk about the ideas, what’s happening, etc. Mud and clay are also good activities to enjoy together as are cooking and gardening, digging, planting. This website is a good place to explore some ideas : http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/docs/foundation_stage/learning_through_play_ey.pdf
Art and Craft activities support all kinds of physical development. This website has ideas (not necessarily to buy): https://www.earlyyears.co.uk/art-and-craft
Pre-reading skills
Read together with your child every day: fiction; non-fiction; poetry and rhymes – be prepared to read the same book over and over again!
When your child is ready for phonics have a look at Letters and Sounds Phase 1: http://www.letters-and-sounds.com/
When your child is ready, consider introducing a reading scheme. There are many available (some may be found in your local library). Ensure you choose one that builds up vocabulary. This website is a good place to start: https://www.theschoolrun.com/best-reading-scheme-books-for-early-readers
Pre-writing skills
Allow your child to draw and write freely, using a range of different types and sizes of papers, pens and pencils. Emergent writing and drawing helps towards a more formal understanding of writing and how to write. Ask your child to read back to you what they’ve written. This website clearly explains the process from emergent to formal writing skills :https://stayathomeeducator.com/development-of-emergent-writing/
Make letters, notes, cards and lists for people and ask your child to write inside them