Hi, My daughter is 2 1/2 and I've been looking for books that educate her, besides colors and leters that she already knows. Have any of you moms come across a great learning book that you would recommend or borrow? I think actual pre-school text books might be alittle advanced. She doesn't write yet, but wants to learn. If any of you home-school where do I start with her at this age? Or teachers, what would you recommend?
Thank you in advance... CJR
At this age, the best thing to help her start writing are toys that hit fine motor skills as well as gross motor skills in the arms i.e.
Playdoh (both kneading and modeling)
Coloring (I LOVE Handwriting without Tears)
Leapfrog DVD: The Talking Letter Factory - it goes over sounds and phonemic awareness - which is crucial in learning to read with phonics.
I have been teaching now for over 8 years. I have taught kinder and 1st grade so I will share with you some ideas you can start now with your sweet pea.
Reading:
1. Read to her everyday. It can be any of your favorite picture books, including nonfiction. Talk bout the story before, during and after you read. She doesn't have to read to appreciate the story. You are modeling good reading behavior. This is priority number one!
2. Offer her simple books with very repetetive patterns and pictures to match the words. Ex: I like dogs. I like cats etc. Read them to her and have her read out loud with you as she gets familiar with the story
3. Get puzzles and flashcards with letters/words/pictures that correspond. Ex: A apple (picture of apple) Also as she gets stronger with her understanding of reading introduce her to sight word flashcard (the, of, are etc.)
4. Books on tape are just fun and they do the reading for the child as she follows along.
5. FunBrain.com, PBSkids.com, Starfall.com are all sights with activities she can do online (starfall is best for phonics)
6. Make an alphabet arc on large construction paper. Write out A to Z in a big arc. Give her a set of plastic letters. She will place the letters on the arc where the print letter sits. On the back, make a line arc with no letters. Everyday, have her place the letters in order on the arc (front side). She says the letter and the sound. Teach her words that start with that letter. You can even make a word list for the letter and keep in on the fridge. Have her work the letters backwards. Place letters on arc and leave some out. Have her tell you what is missing. She can use the line only arc when she gets good at the letters and no longer needs the visual clues on the front. This can lead into word building. Use say find the letter c (say sound), find the letter a (say sound), find the letter t (say sound) c-a-t says cat etc. Understanding this letter sound correspondance is critical to reading success.
Writing:
1. Get a shoe box and fill it with the following
playdough
wicky sticks
Shaving cream
tweezers
beans and other small objects for picking up
a small lock and key (diary size)
chopsticks with gripper
clothes pin
plastic hopping frog (kind you get in party favor bags)
Old shoe with a lace
2. These items will make up a fine motor box. Everyday have your child play with the things in the box. She can pick up items with the chopsticks, clothes pin, tweezers etc. She can make the frog hop across the table with each finger one at a time. Have her mash small beans in the playdough then fish them out using her thumb and finger only. Let her practice threadng the lace through the shoe etc. Have her make the shapes of letters with the wicky sticks. Spray shaving cream on a cookie sheet. Have her make the letter shapes in the shaving cream (so fun!)Let her practice opening the diary lock.
3. Get some large primary lined chart paper from the teacher store. Give her a pencil and invite her to trace over your writing.
4. Share write a journal together. She can tell you a story or about her day and you scribe. Help give her ideas. You can even write letters to her in the journal. Share write everyday. She will have fun telling stories with you.
I know this is long winded but these are some of the most important early learning experiences you can give her for reading and writing readiness.
Good luck!
Lakeshore Learning Store is great for materials. It's across from North Star Mall by the Best Buy and Container Store.
Hi C.! we use that leap frog for our 2 year old. she loves it! its hard to find the right kind of books for kids to learn on laterly. but that leap frog is a really great way to start! check it out and let me know what you think! N. B
There are a ton of resources online for you to do with her. My favorite is www.letteroftheweek.com You can also google preschool activities, or lessons. I have a 2 year old as well. We plan to homeschool.
btw...what is RGV??
K.
I have a daughter thats 2 also. This is what I did with mine. I went out and bought her flash cards. I got her different kinds: numbers, ABC's, colors, card that you match up, ect. I take her to the book store and let her pick her books. I have her sit down and read a few pages if its easy for her (I let her get it) but I help her pick out a new book that is a little harder. You know what is and is not hard for your little one. I hope this helps. Good luck.
Go to starfall.com they have some great books and curriculum there. W.
Do you have a Borders or Waldenbooks nearby? There should be someone in the children's section to point you toward a multitude of good books, that will have your children learning without even realizing!
My son liked anything from leapfrog. They have dvd's which were great, leapster learning toys, etc. I found these very helpful. By the time he went to kinder, he already knew what sounds the letters make, etc. And with the help of an excellent kinder teacher, by the middle of the school year my son was already reading. Hope this helps. :)
