Teaching a child how to read can be intimidating.
The stakes are high and every day there is a new program or fancy app that everyone swears is the best thing for kids.
It’s overwhelming. Parents often end up feeling guilty and worried they aren’t doing enough for kids.
But it doesn’t have to be this way!
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Parents and teachers can use play and everyday interactions to help kids gain the skills they need to be readers…and there is a new book that details just how to do it.
Amy Mascott (teachmama.com) and Allison McDonald (No Time for Flashcards) have literally written the book on reading. And it’s so good. Raising a Rock-Star Reader: 75 Quick Tips for Helping Your Child Develop a Lifelong Love for Reading
is more than just a collection of ideas, it really is a guidebook parents and teachers can use to turn kids into readers.
As a trained reading specialist I could not be more pleased at the advice and ideas they offer for parents, their tips are spot on. And as a parent of three kids, including a kindergartner deep in the midst of learning to read, I am thrilled with how practical and easy to implement the ideas are. This is the book we all have been waiting for.
All of the tips rock, but tip #39 Use Alphabet Puzzles to Work on Letter Recognition is one of my kids’ favorites!
Super Simple Alphabet Puzzles
- index cards or cardstock
- marker
- scissors
- resealable bag for storage
Write an uppercase letter on the left side of the card and the corresponding lowercase letter on the right side of the card. Use the scissors to cut the card in half with different shapes to create mini-puzzles. Stick them in the bag for storage and kids can play them anywhere. These simple alphabet puzzles make a great busy bag for kids to use during quiet time.
Two Ways to Play
Index Card Match-up. Mix up the pieces and have kids put them back together correctly. They can use the different shapes to check to see if they have found the correct letter.
Find and Fit. Get the kids moving with a letter hunt! Hide the lowercase pieces of the puzzle around the house for kids to find. When they find one have them match it to the uppercase half. They can keep playing until all the pieces have been found.
Playing simple games with letters is a great way for kids to learn. And the rest of the #RaiseaReader tips are just like this one–awesome, easy and FUN! You can relax and know that you’ve got this. You can help your child learn to read without the stress.
Can’t wait to see what the other 74 tips are? Order now!
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