You can give preschool children a good start on an excellent education in many informal ways. These include real-life experiences such as working with parents, creating useful or decorative items, gardening, walking or driving in various environments, visiting different places and people, and conversing with parents and others. Listen to children's ideas and questions, and give appropriate explanations of what they see and experience. Add to this a regular program of reading aloud to your children. Choose good books in all areas of knowledge.
Children vary immensely in their development.
Some may be ready at age 2 to 4 for a few minutes of phonics or numbers drill in the form of playing with flash cards and manipulatives every day. Actual reading and math skills will develop quickly when your child is ready for them. A wide background of experience and general knowledge will enable your child to understand what he reads and to grasp arithmetic concepts easily, providing motivation to perfect these skills. It is wise to take advantage of a young child's ability and desire to memorize. Through oral reading you can expose him to detailed information such as the names and characteristics of animals and plants as recommended in the classical approach for the Grammar phase.