This book is designed to help teachers, assistants, and volunteers who work in day care centers, preschools, and kindergartens teach basic skills to young children (ages 3-6) when they are ready to acquire the skill. Separate sections are provided for each of 11 skill areas: (1) listening; (2) memory; (3) colors; (4) counting; (5) geometric shapes; (6) sequencing; (7) cutting; (8) writing; (9) tying; (10) concepts; and (11) working independently/completing tasks. Each section summarizes the importance of the skill in the overall development of the child and cites signs that typically indicate a child is ready to acquire the skill. It then describes a variety of activities that can be used to help children through the series of progressive steps necessary to master each skill. Line drawings are used to illustrate the suggested activities. (VW)