The secret to helping your child learn to read is showing him that reading can provide endless hours of fun. Here are some great activity ideas for your beginning reader.
Because children learn in different ways, we've arranged these activities by learning style. But any child can benefit from the suggestions in all three categories.
For physical learners
Get a library card in your child's name Go the library together and visit the checkout counter to apply for a library card. If he knows how to spell his own name, ask him to tell you while you write it down on the application. When you get the card, make a copy of it and laminate it so your child has a card of his own to carry around; if your library system uses plastic cards with bar codes, get your child his own card as they are easily replaced.
Play dress-up and act out a book Dressing up like the characters in your child's favorite book can really bring reading to life. You can invite some of your child's friends over and make it a playdate.
Make an alphabet poster Ask your child to draw each letter on some poster board, then go through magazines and catalogs and cut out pictures of things that begin with each letter and glue them on the board. This is a great hands-on way to learn the alphabet.
Make finger puppets to go with a story Cut the fingers off some old gloves and then use fabric markers to draw the characters on together. You can also roll felt or paper for the body and then glue eyes, noses, smiles, and hair on them. If your art skills could use some work, make color copies from a favorite book, then cut out the characters' faces and glue them onto the glove fingers or rolled paper or felt. Once you make the puppets, you and your child can use them to help tell a story.
Write a letter to your child's favorite author To help your child get started, ask him a few questions. What do you like about this author's book? How do you feel when you read these stories? Who is your favorite character? Then have your child put the letter in an envelope, seal it, and add a stamp. You can send it to the author care of the publisher. Check the title page of the book to find out who that is.
Make a dictionary As your child comes across words he doesn't know, write them in a blank book or notebook along with the meaning. This is a great way to help build vocabulary.
Give out book dollars If you don't want to use real money, you can draw your own. Dole out the cash for chores or other good deeds at home. When your child earns ten or 15, take a trip to the bookstore and let him spend the money.
Go to a book signing party Popular children's authors often make appearances at bookstores. Check local papers and bulletin boards at bookstores to find out who's coming next.
Build a reading fort In your child's bedroom, lean together some broom or mop sticks and drape blankets over them to create a tent. Invite your child to grab a book and a flashlight and climb in for story time in the dark (you can join in to help him read the stories if he wants). In the summertime you can do this in the yard.
Serve a meal from a book Use food coloring to make green eggs and ham, try to recreate parts of the Grinch's Christmas feast, or make your own batch of porridge for the Three Little Bears. You can even get a basket and fill it with goodies for Little Red Riding Hood to take to Grandmother's house.
Have a reading picnic Take your favorite food and your favorite books to the park. You'll reinforce the idea that reading can be fun anywhere.
Throw a book-related party Read over your child's favorite book and think about what elements would work at a party. Can you decorate his room in a jungle theme to resemble Where the Wild Things Are? Can you collect hats and host a Cat-in-the-Hat party (Dr. Seuss's birthday is March 2. Why not celebrate?)? You'll get your child and his friends talking about books.
For auditory learners
Go to story time at the library or a bookstore Nothing beats listening to a trained storyteller. Going to the library or a bookstore to listen to a tall tale is not only a fun outing, but your child will also learn about new books and meet other children. As a bonus, you may pick up a few tips to jazz up your own read-aloud sessions.
Listen to books on tape You can check out tapes from the library for free or buy them at a bookstore (to save money, stop by your local used bookstore). Kids love listening to someone else tell them a story, and they can follow along in their own books.
Read a recipe and cook the dish together Start with an illustrated children's cookbook so your child can see how the dish might turn out. Read the recipe to your child while she follows along. Making the food will teach your child that books provide useful information.
Join a summer book club at the library Most libraries arrange summer programs with lists of books for each age group and awards for completing the books. To get credit for each book your child may need to retell the story to a librarian or volunteer. Your child will share the joy of books with others — and may even win some prizes.
For visual learners
Read a story that's out as a movie Then go see the movie. Your child will love seeing characters he already knows from a book up on the big screen. You can rent videos too. For a fun twist, make it a sleepover party and invite other kids to read and watch the video.
Turn a book into art Make a color copy of your child's favorite picture in a book and frame it for her bedroom, or have it put on a shirt at a T-shirt shop.
Write captions to favorite pictures Get out some photos or a photo album and go through each picture one by one asking your child to describe what's going on, or if he's in them how he felt or what he was doing. Then write the story on sticky notes that you place on the pictures.
Subscribe to a kids' magazine Your child will love getting his own magazines in the mail. Great ones to try at this age are Highlights for Children or Sports Illustrated for Kids.
Imagine what happens next With your child, make up and write down a sequel to a favorite book.
Copy your child's favorite book into a blank journal Then let your child draw a new picture for each page of the story.
Visit your child's favorite author's Web site Some great ones to try: the home page of Jan Brett, illustrator of Hedgie's Surprise and other stories, the site for Eric Carle, best known as the author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Suessville, a great destination for Dr. Seuss lovers.
Leave notes for your child Put them in her lunchbox or book bag every day, even if it's just a few simple words such as "I love you." You can also leave them around her room or next to her toothbrush.
Buy a big book Teaching supply stores sell giant books for teachers to use in the classroom. They're great for group reads because all the kids can see the pictures, but your child will also love the huge oversized pictures in your one-on-one story time.
Illustrate a song Write down the words to your child's favorite song and, with your child, draw pictures to go with each stanza. Then read the song together.
Set a family reading time For 15 or 20 minutes a night, everyone in the house reads a story together. If friends or neighbors are visiting, ask them to participate. Follow the reading time with a few minutes of discussion about the book to encourage comprehension.
Write a book of "my favorite things" Staple together ten blank pages and ask your child to think of that many favorite things. Help with ideas. Ask him questions such as, What's your favorite food? Who is your best friend? What is your favorite book? Write one thing on each page and have your child draw a picture to go with it.
source from http://parentcenter.babycenter.com
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