Mastered ABC's? Try this!

Here's a fun activity I want you to try with your kids. I will admit, I got the idea from an old Blue's Clues episode. My boys love Blue's Clues and I've seen them all. Alphabet Train is by far the most watched episode in my house. However, that is not where I got the idea.

Let's write!

That's the name of the episode. I'm not saying your kid needs to write in this activity, but we can do that later after they've mastered letter tracing and are more proficient.

You will need:

• Sticky Notes (or small paper cards folded over like place cards so they will stand and be visible as you move around. You can cut cardstock or use the notecards you find in stores).

• Bold Marker like a sharpie or simple Crayola Marker

• Stuff (furniture, toys, or a room with things to label).

A great way to start early reading is teaching early recognition of words. I like using my living room for this activity, but I usually go all throughout the house and even outside. It feels like a scavenger hunt and the kids get a giggle over finding things to label.

Ask your child to point things out in the room. I would suggest having no music or tv playing so they can concentrate on you and not be distracted. One of the first things my boys would usually pick out is the TV or a toy in the room. If your kid says TV, for example, grab your paper and write "TV" in bold letters. Spell it out loud and ask your kid to identify the letters. Sound it out. Praise them when they do. Find more items like chair, sofa, rug, book, toy, door and so forth. Don't be afraid to use window, mirror, and other larger words. This simply exposes more words and phonics practice. If you can, keep the cards or leave them on the items you labeled to come back at a later time to see what they remembered.

Run errands a lot? Keep a small notebook with a marker in your bag or pocket. Have your kid find things wherever you are and write out the word in your notebook. Keep your pages and see what they recall later.

I hope you enjoy this activity! Feel free to send any questions my way.