When children learn to read, they use the letter-sounds they already know to make new words. In this game, children make words, some familiar and some not.
What you'll need:
* Three containers (small boxes or margarine tubs). Small pieces of paper with letters that have sounds your child knows. Make several copies of the letters that are used often in words, such as a, s, t, r, e, n, i, g.
What to do:
* Sit beside your child. Put the three containers in front of you. Place vowels in the middle container. Put consonants in the first and last containers.
Tell your child, "We're going to make words using letters in these containers. Some will be words you've heard, and some will be silly words. I'll show you how to make a word."
Pick a letter from the first container and say its sound (for example, t). Pick a letter from the next container (for example, i). Pick a letter from the last container (for example, g). Now, I'll put the sounds together, tttiiig. The word is tig.
Ask your child, "Is that a word you've heard or is that a silly word? That's right, it's a silly word."
* "Okay, it's your turn to make a word." Have your child select a letter from each container and make new words.
READ*WRITE*NOW Activities for Reading and Writing Fun - May 1997
