Some children need many repetitions before they really know letter names and sounds without hesitation. Making activities fun and novel will help children learn without feeling like they are being drilled. In this entertaining activity, your child will use ping-pong balls to reinforce letter knowledge.
- 26 white ping-pong balls or any small ball you can write on
- permanent marker
- small basket
Step 1: Write one letter on each ping-pong ball, both uppercase and lowercase. Place six to eight balls in a basket.
Step 2: Invite your child to choose any ball from the basket. Ask your child to say the letter name and letter sound, and then toss the ball to you. If your child doesn’t know the letter name or letter sound, toss the ball back and tell your child the correct letter name and letter sound. Ask your child to repeat the letter name and letter sound by saying, “ This is the letter /b/ /b/ B. Now you say it.”
Step 3: Ask your child to choose another ball and continue. As your child learns the letters and sounds, add more balls to the basket.
Step 1: To make it easier, start with just a few letters that are in your child’s name. Write the letters of your child’s first name on ping-pong balls. Include both uppercase and lowercase. Place two to three balls in a basket.
Step 2: Invite your child to choose any ball from the basket. Ask your child to say the letter name and letter sound, and then toss the ball to you. If your child doesn’t know the letter name or letter sound, toss the ball back and tell your child the correct letter name and letter sound. Ask your child to repeat the letter name and letter sound by saying, “ This is the letter /b/ /b/ B. Now you say it.”
Step 3: Ask your child to choose another ball and continue. As your child learns the letters and sounds in her first name, add balls with additional letters to the basket.
Step 1: Write one letter on each ping-pong ball, both uppercase and lowercase. Place six to eight balls in a basket.
Step 2: To add some challenge, add another component to the activity. Ask your child to identify the letter name and letter sound and a word that begins with that sound and then to throw the ball to you. If your child doesn’t know the letter name or letter sound, or can’t think of a word, toss the ball back and provide an answer. You might say “ This is the letter /b/ /b/ B. Ball begins with /b/ /b/ B.”
Step 3: Ask your child to choose another ball and continue. As your child becomes more skilled, add more balls to the basket.
