Help prep preschoolers for kindergarten by giving parents these kindergarten-preparation tips:

1. Count Everything: Tell parents to keep their kids counting, says Patty Gottwald, a preschool teacher in Ludington, MI. "Have them counting things all the time -- count steps to the bedroom, count the shoes by the door," she explains. Plus, don't forget letters. "Keep them looking for letters: "I spy a 'B'," Gottwald instructs.

2. Learn To Play Fair: As preschoolers become kindergartners, they need to develop new 'teach-ability' skills: cooperation, following directions, listening skills and increased attention span. Parents can use simple games they may already have at home to help their children build new skills and keeping existing ones sharp, says Gottwald. "Playing games like 'Candy Land' or 'Chutes and Ladders' reinforces lessons about numbers, counting and colors. But games also teach fair play, following the rules, and being a good winner and a good loser."

3. Talk About Big Ideas: To develop the listening skills and increased attention span that will be required in kindergarten, have parents read to their children more often -- and for longer periods of time. "We [tell] parents to take their kids to the library, and if you do nothing else, read to your kids 15 minutes a day," says John Jorgensen, principal of Bluff Elementary School in Clinton IA.

Plus, parents should ask their children questions about the books' content. Discuss the characters and plot of the story, and keep children engaged by asking questions such as "What did you think is going to happen next?" suggests Jorgensen. "Talk about the big idea in the book -- what's the author trying to tell you? Kindergartners and preschoolers can pick it out," he says.

Applying for grant funding requires more than just a completed application. You've got to clear a whole host of hurdles even before you put that application in the mailbox. Take a look below at this insider advice on every step of the process, from the inquiry letter to your post-submittal follow-up. (Then check out the upcoming grant opportunities on the following page).

1. Many grantmakers require that you begin the grant-seeking process with an inquiry letter. Make yours stand out by writing more than a simple one-paragraph letter that requests grant guidelines. Instead: briefly outline why you are seeking funds, describe the nature of your need, summarize your proposed program and describe your organization.

2. Also, don't be vague in your inquiry letter. Come right out and ask specifically if your proposal might be of interest to the grantmaker and, if so, how to submit a full proposal. Source: Philanthropy Northwest -- www.thegivingpractice.org.

3. If the grant you seek requires that your project -- whether implementation of a curriculum improvement or other education program -- be backed by rigorous evidence, you'd best be able to show that it is. Help is at hand in the Department of Education's "Identifying and Implementing Educational Practices Supported By Rigorous Evidence:

A User Friendly Guide," which includes a checklist to help you evaluate whether your education intervention measures up to evidence-based criteria. Go to: www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/ pubs/rigorousevid/rigorousevid.pdf. Source: U.S. Department of Education -- www.ed.gov:

4. Don't submit your application before you're sure it answers all the questions grantmakers will have about your proposal. Have someone who's not involved in your project read over your application before you seal the envelope. Why? He or she will be able to point out any confusing, conflicting or vague language before it sinks your chances.

5. A simple but good rule of thumb for proofreading your application: Keep an eye out for any unexplained acronyms and jargon that will leave grant readers in the dark. Source: NEA Foundation -- www.neafoundation.org.

6. Whether or not you get good funding news at the end of the process, you can learn from your grant application experience simply by following-up. After you've submitted your proposal, contact the grantmaker about its evaluation and outcome. Be sure to request feedback about your proposal's strengths and weaknesses so you can learn key lessons for next time. Source: Non-Profit Guides -www.npguides.org.

The Brown Rudnick Charitable Foundation Corp. offers a Community Grant Program to fund specific, year-long projects focused on improving inner city education in Boston, Providence, Hartford, New York City and Washington D.C.

Award: $2,000

Eligibility: An educator at a tax-exempt organization (e.g., a public school)

Deadline: Open. The Foundation considers grant application monthly.

Contact: A. Wallis, Tel: (617) 856-8119, E-mail: awallis@brownrudnick.com, Web: www.brownrudnickcenter.com