Introducing Palindromes

What You Need:

• Paper
• Pen or pencil
• Dictionary  

What You Do:

1. Start by explaining what palindromes are. They're not as scary as they sound—a palindrome is a word, phrase, number, or sentence that can be read in either direction and says the same thing both ways. Punctuation is allowed and it does not have to be the same in either direction.
2. Next, have your child brainstorm some words that are palindromes: “wow,” “huh,” “madam,” “mom,” and “dad” are great examples. Have her write down the words she thinks of on her paper.
3. After she has come up with some palindrome words, see if she can put those words (along with some non-palindrome words) together to make palindrome phrases or sentences.
4. Then, let her read aloud her completed palindromes, or draw pictures to accompany them, to practice skills in art and public speaking.
5. When she's done, your child can also try to find palindromes while out in town. For example, in Yreka, California there is a place called “Yreka Bakery”!