Literacy: Sun-bleached Letter Puzzle

Objectives Materials Method

Letter Foam bath letters Place the letters on the paper and let them stand in the sun for a while.
recognition Dark construction
paper Once the paper has faded, it is ready to use. The area under the letters
Matching will not have faded and will appear as the original color.

Help your child place the appropriate letter on the paper where it
belongs.
Literacy: Sand Letters
Objectives Materials Method
Learn how to Sand, salt, or sugar Put some sand, sugar or cream of wheat in a square cake pan or box
write letters Cake Pan for drawing purposes.

Help your child trace a letter.

Say the sound as the child is tracing the activity.

Have the child say the sound with you.

Literacy: Foam Alphabet Puzzle
Objectives Materials Method
Learn the Foam alphabet Place the rice and the letters from the foam puzzle into the tub.
alphabet puzzle
Small tub or bowl Have the child find a letter and show them how to put it in the puzzle.
Rice or sand
Have the child say either the letter name or the sound the letter makes
(or both).
Literacy: Highway Letters
Objectives Materials Method
Begin to trace Create letters that Have your child run over the letters with their cars.
the letters of the look like a road
alphabet (black letters with Practice saying the sound the letter makes as they do so.
white stripes
running through
them)
Car
Literacy: Tracing Lines with Cars
Objectives Materials Method
Can trace Large piece of Using the masking tape, stick the paper to a hard surface.
straight and zig- paper
zag lines Masking Tape Draw roads on the paper. First a straight road from one side of the
Marker paper to the other. Then a zig-zag road.
Small Car
Show the child how to drive the car along the road.

Gently correct the child when they drive the car outside of the line (off
the road).
Literacy: M&M Letters
Objectives Materials Method
Begins to Paper On the paper draw dots that form a letter of the alphabet.
recognize some Marker
of the letters of M&Ms Show the child how to use a crayon to draw between the dots.
the alphabet
Have the child place M&Ms on each of the dots.
Literacy: Ziplock Bag Drawing
Objectives Materials Method
Learning the Gallon size ziplock Mix the food coloring and the hair gel in the ziplock bag.
letters bag
Food coloring Have your child trace letters on the outside of the ziplock bag
Hair Gel
Literacy: Sand Paper Letters
Objectives Materials Method
Begin to trace Letters cut out of Glue the sandpaper letters onto the card.
the letters of the sandpaper
alphabet Card cut into 26 Help your child trace the letter with their finger.
squares
Say the sound the letter makes as you do so.
Literacy: Yarn Letters
Objectives Materials Method
Begin to trace Sandpaper Cut the yarn into varying lengths from 2 inches to 8 inches.
the letters of the Yarn
alphabet Crayons Draw several large letters on the sandpaper.
Scissors
Show then how the yarn sticks to the sandpaper. Now let them use the
yarn to trace the letters.

Repeat the phonetic sound as they are working on each letter.

Literacy: Cookie Sheet Letters
Objectives Materials Method
Learning the Cookie sheet On the cookie sheet, write several letters.
letters Magnetic letters
Dry erase pen Have your child search through all 26 letters to find the one you have
written on the cookie sheet.

They can then place each magnetic letter over the corresponding
written letter.

Literacy: Rope Letters

Objectives Materials Method
Learn the Rope Using the rope, form a letter on the ground.
sounds of the
letters Now move along the rope (hop, skip, slide, tiptoe, march, gallop)

Gross Motor Repeat the sound of the letter over and over.
Development
Literacy: Alphabet Cups
Objectives Materials Method
Learning the 5 Cups Place the mailing labels on the cups and write a letter on each mailing
letters 5 Mailing labels label, so that each cup is associated with a different letter.
Sharpie
Something to hide Show your child the item you are going to hide.
(such as a pompom
or small ball) Ask your child to close their eyes as you hide the object under one of
the cups.

Then have your child read one of the letters on a cup. As they read it,
have them lift up the cup to see if the object is under the cup.

If they are incorrect, invite them to read a different cup and then lift it.

Continue playing until they find the hidden object.

Literacy: Letter Scavenger Hunt
Objectives Materials Method
Learning the Baby food Let your child place one letter (or write one letter) on each container.
letters containers
Letter stickers (or a Go on a scavenger hunt and start filling the containers. For example, C
sharpie) is for car and carrot.
Literacy: Alphabet Tape
Objectives Materials Method
Learning the Wooden blocks Put some tape on the floor and write the letters from A to Z on the tape.
letters Tape
Have the wooden blocks in a pile next to the tape and as your child
Matching picks up each block, have them place it on the corresponding letter on
identical objects the tape.
Literacy: Alphabet Treasure Hunt
Objectives Materials Method
Learning the Plastic or wooden Hide the letters in the sand.
letters letters
Sand or Dirt Invite your child to scoop the sand and hunt for hidden letters.

Each time they find one, have them say the name or the sound of the
letter.
Literacy: Alphabet Playdough
Objectives Materials Method
Learning the Paper On the paper draw the outline of several large letters.
letters Playdough
Help your child roll the play dough and then place it within the outline of
the letter.

Repeatedly say the letter name and sound. Help them think of words
they know that start with that sound.
Literacy: Alphabet Order Game
Objectives Materials Method
Learning the A set of alphabet Place the letters in a large pile.
letters in order cards or foam or
plastic letters Sing the alphabet song with them and ask them what the first letter is. If
they struggle, try giving hints (such as showing them the alphabet in a
book)

Once they have located the A, sing the alphabet song together again.
(You may do this while pointing to the letters in a book which has the
alphabet.)

Ask them what comes after A. You may need to give a similar hint
again.

Have them locate the B and place it next to the A.

Repeat until you have gone through the alphabet or your child is bored.
Literacy: Rock Letters
Objectives Materials Method
Learning the Small rocks On the paper draw circles about the size of the rocks on the paper so
letters Paper that the circles form a letter.
Sharpie
Have your child place the rocks on the circles so that when they are
done, the rocks form a letter.

Ask your child if they can identify the letter and the sound it makes.

Repeat this with different letters.

Literacy: Developing Comprehension
Objectives Materials Method
Develop A story book Read a book to your child.
comprehension
After each page, ask a question about what you just read.

If they struggle, help them with the answer. Make the question slightly
easier next time.
Literacy: Chalkboard Letter Erasing
Objectives Materials Method
Begin to trace Chalkboard On a chalkboard write a letter.
the letters of the Chalk
alphabet Q-tip Have your child name the letter and say the sound of the letter.
Container of water
Give your child a q-tip which you have previously dipped in water. Help
them trace the letter so that the chalk disappears.

Repeat with another letter.

Literacy: Words that Start with ...
Objectives Materials Method
Associate the 3x5 index cards On the index cards, draw several pictures of objects that begin with a
first letter of a 2 large pieces of particular letter, such as “puppy,” “pen,” “popcorn,” and “parrot.”
word with a paper
known letter Sharpie Then on some other index cards draw pictures of objects that begin
Crayons with another letter, such as “bone,” “backpack,” “books,” and “bus.”

On one piece of paper write the letter, such as “P,” and one the other
piece of paper write the other letter, such as “B.”

Encourage your child to color the pictures and to name the objects.

Once they have completed coloring and naming the objects, have them
pick a card.

Show them the letters on the piece of paper and ask them the sound of
the letters.

Explain that they are going to sort the cards according to the first letter
of the word.

Have them say the name of the object and say it slowly. Repeat it
slowly, while emphasizing the first letter.

Ask them if the word starts with a “p” or a “b.” Help them if they are
unsure.

Place the card on the paper of the appropriate letter.

Repeat until they have sorted all the cards.

Literacy: Letter Focus
Objectives Materials Method
Learn one of the Paper Using the Sharpie, write the letter on the paper that you are going to
letters of the Scissors focus on with your child.
alphabet Letter stickers
Alphabet felt Cut that letter out of different colored pieces of paper and sand paper.
stickers Help your child glue them onto the paper.
Sand paper
Glue Run their index finger over the sand paper letter.
Sharpie
Crayons Have your child stick the letter stickers and felt letter stickers onto the
paper.

Encourage them to try writing the letter (even if they can only scribble).

Constantly repeat the sound of the letter with them.

You can also tell them words that begin with that letter. (“T” is for truck.
“T” is for train. “T” is for tummy.)
Literacy: Chalkboard Letter Erasing
Objectives Materials Method
Begin to trace Chalkboard On a chalkboard write a letter.
the letters of the Chalk
alphabet Q-tip Have your child name the letter and say the sound of the letter.
Container of water
Give your child a q-tip which you have previously dipped in water. Help
them trace the letter so that the chalk disappears.

Repeat with another letter.

Literacy: Canvas Letter
Objectives Materials Method
Learn the name Canvas Using the masking tape put the first letter of your child's name on the
and sound of a Masking Tape canvas (or the entire name if you are able to).
letter Acrylic Paints
Allow your child to paint the entire canvas.

Once dry, remove the masking tape.

During the activity, keep reminding them of the name and sound of the
letter(s).
Literacy: Tracing Letters
Objectives Materials Method
Begin to trace Paper Write one letter or several letters of the alphabet using dots.
the letters of the Pen
alphabet Crayons Show your child how to use a crayon to trace the letters.

Encourage them to try alone. Help when needed.

Literacy: Bottle Cap Letters
Objectives Materials Method
Learn the name Juice/Milk Bottle Stick foam letters on the top of the bottle caps so that you have two of
and sound of a Caps each letter. (If you do not have foam letter stickers, you could write the
letter Foam Sticker letters on the caps using a marker.) They can be the same case (upper
Letters or lower) or a combination for a more advanced activity.
Match Identical
Objects Place them in a pile and then ask your child to pick up a cap.

Have them say the name of the letter and the sound of the letter.

Now have them look for the other cap which has the same letter on it.

Repeat until you have matched all the letters.

Literacy: Scrabble Search
Objectives Materials Method
Learn the name Container of rice On a piece of paper trace around each of the scrabble letters and write
and sound of a Scrabble letters in the letters.
letter Paper
Pen Place the scrabble letters in the container of rice.

Have your child find a letter and place it on the paper over the
corresponding letter.
Literacy: Magic Letters
Objectives Materials Method
Learn the name Paper On the paper draw one large letter using the white crayon.
and sound of a White Crayon
letter Paint Brush Have your child paint on the paper using the water colors.
Water
Water Colors The letter is then revealed.

Ask your child to name the letter and say it's sound.

Repeat with other letters of the alphabet.

Literacy: Cereal Name
Objectives Materials Method
Learn the Paper On the paper write your child's name so that it fills the paper.
representation Sharpie
of their name School Glue Have your child trace the letters with the glue.
Fruit Loops or
Cheerios Now they can place the cereal on the glue while it is still wet.
Literacy: Toilet Roll Letters
Objectives Materials Method
Associate words Toilet Rolls (the Have your child paint the toilet rolls.
with particular number depends on
letters how many letters Place the one end of the toilet roll in a bottle top. This will provide
you want to focus stability for it to stand.
on)
Bottle Tops (the Help your child stick a letter to each of the toilet rolls. As you do so,
same number as the have them say the sound of the letter.
number of toilet
rolls) Then have them look at the pictures and say the word that describes
Paint the picture, such as “cat.”
Letters printed on
paper (either all or Help them understand that the word “cat,” for example, starts with the
just a few) sound “c.”
Pictures or words
starting with each Have them identify the “c” toilet roll and stick the picture on the toilet
letter of the alphabet roll.

Repeat with the other pictures.

Literacy: Alphabet Monster Game
Objectives Materials Method
Learn the name Different colored Cut circles from the paper (about 2.5 inches in diameter). Twenty six for
and sound of a paper either lower-case or capital letters. Fifty two for both.
letter Scissors
Sharpie Write a different letter on each circle.
Empty box (such as
a cereal box or In the empty box cut a hole for the mouth.
Pringles can)
Glue Cover the box with colored paper. Glue on eyes (and hair if you desire
Wobbly Eyes using yarn).

Lay the letters on a flat surface and then have your child pick up a letter
and say the sound and then place it through the mouth of the monster.
Literacy: Bag of B's
Objectives Materials Method
Learn the name Large bag Place the items in the bag.
and sound of a Items that start with
letter the letter B (such as Have your child reach into the bag and pull an object out.
ball, book)
Associate words Items that do not Ask them what the object is.
with particular start with the letter B
letters (such as pen, shoe) Say the word emphasizing the first letter and ask them if it starts with a
“B.”

Since they probably won't know, tell them and repeat the exercise with
the other objects.
Literacy: Play Dough Writing
Objectives Materials Method
Begin to trace Play dough Roll the play dough out on a flat surface.
the letters of the Pencil or pen
alphabet Have your child hold the pencil.

Guide your child's hand and write a letter of your choice repeatedly.

Have your child say the sound of the letter.

Now have your child try. This will likely be difficult but can be done
repeatedly.
Literacy: Tracing lines
Objectives Materials Method
Begin to trace Paper On the left hand side of the paper draw several pictures of animals, one
Crayon under each other (such as a fish, a cat, a duck, and a cow).
Marker
On the right hand side of the paper draw something that resembles
where they like to be (such as the ocean, a chair, a pond, and a field).

Draw straight, curved, or zig-zag dotted lines between the images of

the left and those on the right.

Have your child hold a crayon and guide their hand to trace the dotted
line. After that they may like to try alone.
Literacy: ABC Match
Objectives Materials Method
Associate words Paper Cut small squares (4” x 4”) from the paper and write some letters on the
with particular Marker squares, such as A, B, C.
letters Scissors
Objects beginning Find small objects that begin with those letters, such as an apple, a
with letters you want ball, and a cup.
to focus on
Place the letters on a flat surface and then have your child select an
object and name the object.

Repeat the name of the object, while emphasizing the first letter.

Have your child guess which letters the word begins with. Provide help
where needed.
Literacy: Letter Sort
Objectives Materials Method
Learn the name Paper Cut 20 or 25 small squares (2” x 2”) from the paper.
and sound of a Marker
letter Scissors Pick two or three letters you want to work with, such as B and T.

Write these letters on the squares. You might have 10 B squares and
15 T squares.

Jumble the letters together and place them in a pile.

Have you child select a letter and say the sound of the letter.

Repeat. If the letter is the same as before, place these letters together.
Otherwise, make a new pile.

Within a short time, you should have two (or three, depending on how
many letters you are focusing on) piles of letters.

Once these piles are established, have your child guess which pile the
letters should go in.
Literacy: Yarn Swirls
Objectives Materials Method
Begin to trace Card Cut large (at least 11” x 11”) squares.
Marker
Scissors On the squares draw swirls, circles, lines, and zig-zags.
Yarn
Elmer's Glue Have your child trace along the lines with the glue. Assist where
necessary.

Now cut the yarn the right length and have your child place the yarn on
top of the glue.

It is probably easiest for your child to begin with a straight line, and then
a circle, then swirls, then finally zig-zags.