As parents and educators, we all know the importance of reading to children from a young age. It not only helps develop their literacy skills but also builds vocabulary and reading comprehension. With each passing year, there are more opportunities to support children in building their early literacy skills. You don’t need to be a professional educator to help your child become a strong reader. It can be as simple as pointing and reading!
5 Tips to Try!
1. Track the words as you read:
While reading, use your index finger to point to each word. This helps your child notice letters, words, and understand how words come together to form a story. For example, when reading “Flipper, the Penguin, Wants to Fly”, point to each word as you read, drawing your child’s attention to the words in the story. Focus on key words like Flipper’s name or the word “fly” to help your child identify and recognize them.
2. Let your child do the pointing:
Give your child the opportunity to track the words while you read. This actively involves them in the story and introduces them to word tracking. You can offer support by placing your hand over theirs, guiding them to point. Start with one page and gradually expand to more.
3. Point out letter sounds:
Pause and point to specific letters and the sounds they make while reading. This helps build letter and sound awareness. For example, while reading “Flipper the Penguin Wants to Fly,” select a letter like “F” to focus on. Whenever you encounter words like Flipper or fly, pause and point out the letter “F.” Model the “F” sound and encourage your child to make the letter sound as well.
4. Re-read the story:
Re-read the story and invite your child on a scavenger hunt to find and point out the letter “F” on each page. You can try this exercise with other letters, such as the first letter of your child’s name.
5. Point to different images:
Connect the illustrations with the words you read. For instance, if you read the phrase “sunny day,” point to the picture of the sun on the page. This helps your child make visual connections between words and images, enhancing their comprehension.
Putting It Into Practice!
See:
Take a look around you and start with a story like “Flipper, the Penguin, Wants to Fly.” Identify new words from the book and focus on them throughout the week.
Example Focus Words of the Week: buzzed, fluttered, glide, flapped
Think:
Consider different ways you can use the new words and expand upon them. Create a list of activities related to the vocabulary list that you can try with your child. Think about activities that align with their interests and encourage exploration using those words.
Example Activities Using Focus Words:
- Buzz around like a bee when picking up toys.
- Flutter around during a dance party.
- Play “watch me fly” and glide or flap your wings to create different flying motions.
Imagine:
Imagine creative ways to use the words and connect them with your child’s experiences. Here are some additional activities to consider:
- Go for a walk and search for words from “Flipper, the Penguin, Wants to Fly” in the environment. How do those words look in the real world?
- Share stories together: Explore how many new words you can incorporate into a story. Encourage your child to suggest words they’ve learned and find creative ways to include them in your storytelling.
- Become a thesaurus: Dive into synonyms! During conversations with your child, ask them if they know alternative words for certain terms. It’s a fun way to expand their vocabulary and deepen their understanding of word variations.
- Act it out: Engage in imaginative play using new vocabulary. Encourage your child to act out scenarios or create stories that incorporate the words they’ve learned. This hands-on approach helps them reinforce their understanding of the words in a meaningful context.
Books hold tremendous power in developing early literacy skills! Who would have thought that simply pointing to words while reading could have such a significant impact? Remember, you are your child’s best teacher, and through the magic of reading, you can instill a love for learning. By incorporating the practice of pointing to words, you are taking a significant step in nurturing early literacy skills at home.