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Get Ready to Read!

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by Dewi L. Faulkner
Topics: Early Years (Birth-5), Learning to Read, more...
Get Ready to Read!
You can't believe it. That roly-poly bundle of love you were carrying around on your hip what seems like just minutes ago is actually almost 5 years old. You're pretty sure the little tyke has a good grasp of his ABCs, but then again, he has not begun to string letters into words yet. Does he really know that "B" makes "buh-buh-buh"? When he shouts "DAAAAADDDDDYYYY!" every night when his father comes home from work, does he know it is the letter "D" that makes the first sound of that excited yelp? 

Children enter kindergarten at every imaginable level, from barely recognizing letters and numbers to already being able to read simple sentences. So there’s no need to fret or pressure your child into reading before he is ready. However, there are a lot of fun ways to incorporate the ABCs – how each letter looks and the sound each letter makes – into your child's playtime. Try the following two activities to get your child jazzed about learning his letters: 

Activity #1: Lotsa Lotsa Letters

What you'll need (Use the list below as a guideline only, this activity is all about creativity!):

  1. Washable paint or fingerpaint
  2. Crayons, pens, pencils, and/or markers
  3. Sticks, leaves, dirt, and any other interesting "outside stuff" you and your child can find
  4. Yarn, string, buttons, shiny candy wrappers, stickers, and any other interesting "inside stuff" you and your child can find
  5. Alphabet flashcards (store-bought or homemade), blocks, or magnets
  6. Nontoxic glue
  7. Lotsa, lotsa blank paper

Once you and your child have gathered your materials, pick a letter from your flashcards (or blocks or magnets) and ask your child if he knows what letter it is. If he doesn't, identify the letter for him, if he does, ask him if he knows what sound it makes. Say the letter a few times, and repeat the sound it makes. Encourage your child to have fun with the sound, see if he can make any silly noises or think of any songs that start with that sound.

Now spread out all the things you’ve collected in front of you. Ask your child if he thinks he can make the letter all by himself using any of the fun things you collected. Tell him he can use the paint, glue, inside stuff, outside stuff –anything he wants. Help him if he asks, but back off if he wants to try it on his own. Don't correct his letter formation or try to stop him from making a mistake. The point of this activity is to give your child a sense of playfulness and freedom when it comes to letters and their corresponding sounds. Clap and celebrate when your child finishes his artistic creation, and be sure to repeat the sound the letter makes often and in the silliest voice you can muster. Repeat the activity with as many letters as your child wants. When he starts getting squirrelly, you can save the rest for another day.

Activity #2: Alphabet I Spy
What you'll need:
  1. Absolutely nothing except you, your child, and both of your imaginations

This is a quick and easy variation on the timeless "I Spy" game you probably remember from countless car trips with your own parents. The game is played the same way ("I spy with my little eye something ...), except the clue you give about the object you see is always the letter it starts with.  For example (if the object is a stop sign): "I spy with my little eye something that starts with 'S'!"

The above activities are just two ways to incorporate fun and freedom into learning the alphabet. Spend some time brainstorming other ways you and your child can play with letters and words. Your little one is about to embark on an amazing adventure that culminates in the gifts of reading and writing. Savor this time with your child; before you know it you'll be proofreading his first midterm.

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5 comments

Comments from readers

  1. Aug 6, 2007
    Encourage the child to learn but do not pressure the child. Use things for counting the child is familiar with and enjoys playing with, such as toy cars, dolls, cool pencils etc.
  2. Sep 9, 2007
    cmccoy says:
    Begin surrounding your child with books early in his/her life!  Model good reading habits, by letting them see you read.  Take your child to the public library, or public school to look at books!  Simple things like this can instill the love of reading and learning early in their lives which will set them up for academic success!
  3. Sep 17, 2007
    Vel Elliott says:
    To Carol and Travis, I am looking for a part time job to teach children who are nearing third and fourth grade who need help learning to read.  Can you tell me where to start?  I have come across so many students who are ready for High School who cannot read and wonder how they can take a test in any subject without that skill.  I am not a teacher, but have always been excellent in phonics and reading skills.  Would appreciate your input. Thank you.
  4. Sep 18, 2007
    lkauffman says:
    Vel,
     
    There are most likely a number of opportunities in your community to support elementary school children in reading. As far as volunteering, local libraries typically have a number of reading programs. Alternatively, you could advertise your skills in a local paper or peruse job listings. Online sources, such as Craigslist often have part-time job opportunities, as well. Good luck!
  5. Feb 22, 2008
    olive says:
    Reading is basic.Making it fun helps  to bring the child interest.
    When you go to the grocery store recognize names of foods. Say
    Can You find me the cheerios? Praise him for helping you. Kids Like
    to help. They like to feel good about themselves. Look at picture
    books and say can you find me a CA ca-Cow? What does a cow say.
    Simple at first but you want to play a game and peek their interest.
    Make it Fun! We learn best when we have fun so do they ever more
    so. Teachers who you are as a parents know they are teaching
    children do have to know.There is a time for rote learning.It's a process
    You will get to where you want him to be just start easy and basic.
    I am a mother for 40 years, recognized teacher for 26+ years.

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