Thank you
for reading our March 2008 newsletter!
Volume Two, Third Issue
WriteReading.com
is dedicated to Words that make the future brighter!
Kindergarten next year??
One of the first steps to
helping your little one become a successful reader and lifelong learner is to
introduce them to the alphabet. This is the perfect time of year to begin doing
so with your preschooler—if you haven’t already, that is! This important
activity is not just for children on a homeschool curriculum. Below is another
essential skill for beginning learners. Gradually begin to add it to your daily
routine. (See previous newsletters, which are archived at the website above, on
the “Press” page.)
Materials needed
Purchase a package of blank
3”x5” index cards. Place a card in front of you vertically. Using a pencil,
lightly draw a lowercase letter “a” in the middle of the card, so that it is
approximately two inches tall. (Don’t draw this kind of “a” though—make the one
that begins with an “o” and has a line down the right side!) Retrace your
letter afterwards using a black marker. Repeat the process on a second card to
make an uppercase “A” that is approximately three inches tall. Don’t worry
about making any other cards at this time.
Point to and
repeat
Sit your child (neighbor,
niece, grandson, etc!) on your lap in a comfortable place and tell them you are
going to show them something very important. Let your child hold one flashcard
in each hand. With excitement, tell your child, “This an ‘a’ and this is an ‘A’
(pointing to each card)! Isn’t that funny? They both look different! Now I want
you to say ‘a’ back to me ten times, while I count them on my fingers!” Be sure
your child is looking at the cards 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 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 letter if they don’t remember, 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 they are called letters.
Follow-up
When your child can look at
their two flashcards the following day and remember the name of the
letter—without any prompting—it is time to make two new flashcards. Let your
child watch you make them so they can see how talented you are, and how
important it is to make the letters neatly! Be sure to make a lowercase “g”
that looks this way, and a “q” that has a curl at the bottom. While drawing
your letters, talk to your child about how you make each part of the letter.
Next time you read a story together, ask your child if they can find any
letters they already know. If not, point out a few. Ask your child to repeat
the name of the letter back to you. Try to do this about once every other page
throughout the book. A future newsletter will explain another important
activity for beginning learners!
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, LDS bookstores, or 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