Thank you
for reading our July 2008 newsletter!
Volume Two, Seventh Issue
WriteReading.com
is dedicated to Words that make the future brighter!
Using the Book of Mormon to teach your child numbers
One of the next steps toward
helping your little one become a successful reader and lifelong learner is to
introduce them to numbers. Hopefully, you have had fun introducing letters to
your child over the past few months! These important activities are not just
for children on a homeschool curriculum. Below is another essential skill for
beginning learners. Instead of adding this skill to the daily activities in
previous newsletters, begin this stage after your child has completed the cycle
for learning the names of letters one time through. (See newsletters March,
April and May, archived at the website above on the “Press” page.) This step is
especially for you if your child already knows the names of letters.
Materials needed
To make number flashcards,
continue using the blank 3”x5” index cards mentioned in the March newsletter.
Begin with the number zero. Place the card vertically and lightly form a
three-inch tall number with your pencil, and then retrace it using a black
marker. Form numbers the way they are printed in the Book of Mormon. For
example, place small serifs (tick marks) at the top and bottom when forming a
“one.” Each time you make a card, remember to have your child watch, so you can
explain how each number is formed.
Point to and
repeat
The method for teaching your
child the names of numbers is the same as explained in the March newsletter for
teaching letter names. Let your child sit on your lap, in a comfortable place
and tell them you are going to show them something else very important. Let
your child hold the flashcard for the number zero. If your child calls it an
“o,” praise them for remembering the name of a letter. Tell them that this card
is called a zero, though, and it is a number, not a letter, and it means
“none.” If your child doesn’t mention the letter “o,” just say, “This is a
“zero” and I want you to say it back to me ten times, while I count them on my
fingers!” Be sure your child is looking at the card while doing so. After your
child has done this, give them a big hug and say, “Wonderful! Now, try to
remember that today, OK? Tomorrow I will see if you can still tell me what it
is!” Two or three times throughout the day, ask your child if they can remember
the name of the card they are learning. Tell them the name of the number if
they don’t remember it, and have them repeat it back to you a few times. When
your child is ready to understand, or has practiced with several cards, explain
that these flashcards are called numbers. Your child will begin to learn the
meaning of numbers later. Teaching a preschooler numbers helps them become
familiar with them, and enables you to use them when helping a child locate
letters and words within a scripture verse. It also gives them a break from
letters for a while.
Follow-up
Use the steps above to teach
your child the numbers from 0 through 20. Like before, when your child can look
at their flashcard the following day and remember its name without any
prompting, it is time to make a new flashcard. Don’t worry about reviewing with
your child numbers learned on previous days. A future newsletter will cover
reviewing. As explained in the February newsletter, reading a story together is
an important daily activity at all stages in your child’s development. If
desired, space the daily activities found in these newsletters throughout the
day. You may want your child to choose one of the activities before giving them
permission to do other things!
This
unique program uses the Book of Mormon to help a child:
·
grow closer to the things of God
·
develop a scripture reading habit
·
learn how to read and write
Helping a child learn or practice reading and writing skills can be a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be. Head Start with the Book of Mormon: Using the Scriptures to teach Children Reading and Writing Skills, by Vicki Lynn Rasmussen (42 brief pages + 70 pages of flashcards) will give parents and grandparents the skills needed to nurture great readers using a simple scriptural plan—based on the top 50 words in the Book of Mormon. From a toddler hearing a story read, to a child reading silently, the three included phases will benefit all learners. Watch as your child also develops the habit of regular scripture use!
Thank
you for purchasing this book! What better gift can you give a child than the
gift of literacy? As referenced on the back cover, the author’s royalties will
be donated to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund. The book can be ordered at the
website above, or purchased at LDS bookstores, and Wal-Mart locations
throughout Utah.
Please email any questions or comments you may have to:
I hope to chat with you again soon!
Hugs & wishes, Vicki (o;`~
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2007©LittleRasCo