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Form letters together from modeling clay or cookie
dough. Begin by rolling out snake shaped pieces, then make
them into letter shapes. Talk about how each letter is shaped and
how it sounds. Try to think of words that begin or end with that
sound.
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Play a rhyming game. You can make up a silly poem and
have your child come up with a word that rhymes.
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Create a letter scrapbook. Pick a letter of the alphabet for
each page. Cut pictures from old magazines or draw pictures that
begin with that letter. Glue the pictures on the page and add the
words beside the pictures. Make a page or two on rainy days and
soon you will have the whole alphabet.
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Be a good example and show how much you enjoy reading.
Take your child with you to pick out books.
Learning about Letters and Words
Being able to read well will give your child an advantage in school
and in life. Moms and dads can do a lot to prepare their children to
read. Reading out loud to your children teaches them about sounds,
letters and words. They learn how to hold a book, turn pages and see
that words go across the page from left to right. Children may also
learn to know letters and words by sight and match them with the
correct sounds.
There are many fun ways to learn with your children. Here are some
ideas to try.
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Put magnetic letters on your refrigerator. While you
work in the kitchen, your child can pick out letters and try to
recognize words.
Write down a story your child tells you. It can be about
an event or make believe. Let your child add drawings. Read the
new book together.
Make shopping lists together. Your child can draw
pictures and you can add the words. You can also help your
child form the letters the words start with. It may take awhile, so
try this when you have plenty of time.
These activities should be fun for everyone. Laugh at the mistakes
you make and celebrate the learning along the way.
For additional ideas you can explore www.ed.gov
Author: Debbie McClellan, Family Life Educator, Effingham Center.
Editor: Patti Faughn, Family Life Educator, Springfield Center, Fall 2006
For more information contact:
Angela Reinhart, Family Life Educator
University of Illinois Extension
Champaign County Unit
801 N. Country Fair Drive, Suite D
Champaign, IL 61821
217/333-7672
University of Illinois  US Dept of Agriculture
Local Extension Councils Cooperating
University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.