ActivityThe best way to fine tune your child’s reading skills is to find time to practice every day. And most kids learn better when they’re doing something they want to do, not because they have to. These kid-approved activities and games are fun and help build reading skills. They’re simple enough to make part of your routine: during playtime, at meals and snacks, or when you’re out and about.

These kid-approved activities and games are fun and help build reading skills. They’re simple enough to make part of your routine: during playtime, at meals and snacks, or when you’re out and about.

Recommended Activities

Let's Look Together

Prep: 5-10 Minutes / Activity Time: 5-10 Minutes

Black and white high-contrast images help to stimulate babies’ visual and brain development. Here is an activity that introduces basic shapes and images to help set the stage for letter learning.

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Babies and Books

Prep: None / Activity Time: 5 Minutes

As your baby approaches his first year, he is beginning to pay closer attention to illustrations in books. Use that budding interest to build his vocabulary and language

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Who Has a Little Lamb?

Prep: None / Activity Time: 5 Minutes

Babies love to hear their own names! Try substituting your child’s name in simple nursery rhymes to build pre-reading skills like phonological awareness.

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Fun with Pop Beads

Prep: 5 Minutes / Activity Time: 5 Minutes

Your baby is becoming more skillful in using her hands, and many infant toys -- like pegboards and puzzles -- foster the fine motor development that will help with beginning writing and other pre-reading skills later on.

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Splish Splash Baby

Prep: 3-5 Minutes / Activity Time: 5-10 Minutes

As your baby hears new words and explores new materials, creative water play will stimulate her language and cognitive development, important parts of pre-reading development.

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“Talk” Shop

Prep: None / Activity Time: 5 Minutes

Even though your infant can’t talk, he is starting to learn that he can use signals to communicate. When you're aware of your baby’s attempts to communicate and try to interpret his needs, you are building his pre-reading skills.

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Shake, Shake, Shake!

Prep: 2-3 Minutes / Activity Time: 5-10 Minutes

Play games that involve music and movement to help your child develop beginning reading skills like listening and speaking.

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Touch and Feel Sensory Board

Prep: 10-15 Minutes / Activity Time: 10-15 Minutes

Rich sensory experiences (like feeling different textures) help introduce fine motor hand movements, which can strengthen beginning reading and writing skills as your baby grows.

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Chalk It Up

Prep: 2-3 Minutes / Activity Time: 5-10 Minutes

This simple, self-directed drawing activity will help your child develop the skills needed for later writing success.

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