Your child is probably starting to identify and read some signs and frequently viewed words. Maybe it is a favorite restaurant, a toy store or a street sign. Think of things your child happily points out and reads each time she sees it. Capture some of these words with your camera and use the photos to create a book that she can read all by herself!
- camera
- white paper (8.5 x 11 folded in half)
- glue
- stapler
- card stock or thin cardboard to make the cover of the book
- crayons or markers
Step 1: Tell your child that you are going to go on a word hunt to find words she can read. You might start with things inside your house and continue searching as you go for a walk or drive through your neighborhood.
Step 2: Take your camera with you and start shooting pictures of familiar food boxes, book titles, road signs, logos, street signs, advertisements or other things that catch your child’s eye.
Step 3: Make copies of the photos on your printer or take them to get developed. Place one photo on each page. Staple the pages together to make a simple book that your child can read independently.
Step 4: Let your child decorate the cardstock or cardboard to make a cover for the book. Include a title and name of the author (your child!).
Step 5: Ask your child to read the book to you and to other family members. Ask your child questions:
- What letter does that word begin with?
- How did you know what that word said?
- Can you think of another word that begins with the same letter/sound?
- Which word is longer? Which is shorter?
- Do you know what this punctuation mark means?
Limit the book to just four to five pages. Provide guidance and support as necessary to ensure that your child feels successful.
Ask your child to create a sign for his bedroom. Ask her:
What words do you want on your sign? What pictures do you want to draw?
Hang the sign on his door or in her room.
