Learning Letter Sounds, and Listening

An important reading readiness skill that gets less attention than reading out loud to children is letter sound identification.

B says "b" like in boat

   Besides knowing the names of the letters in the alphabet (A,B,C), children need to know the sounds individual letters make such as B says “b”, like in bat, and H says “h”, like in home. Families can help reinforce skills at home by being aware and making little games at home, waiting, and traveling. 
Letter Sounds Before Names 
The ability to hear separate letter sounds in a word is necessary for decoding (sounding out) when reading or spelling. Struggling readers often cannot hear all of the sounds in words, like when we say “cat”. Children may not distinguish the C as “k”, the A as “a” as in apple and the T as “t” as in tip.
Once children can hear the difference between sounds, they can pair the sounds with the visual letter. This is a stepping-stone to early reading development in young children.      
I Spy, I Hear 
 What else can families do to help children develop these readiness literacy skills? I Spy-I Hear is a game to help develop critical listening skills in beginning readers.

   Start by finding objects that begin with a sound you want to practice. Make a guessing game out of locating the object, a toy dog, for example. Give oral clues like, “I spy something that has the first sound, “d.” Youngsters might guess doll, do

nut, or dog. Praise them for each correct sound. “You are right, doll begins with “d.” Then have them name another object you both can see.  “Yes, dog, dog begins with “d.” Repeat this with four or five other sounds. Beginning consonant letter sounds need to be recognized first.

I spy something that has the first sound "b"

Next, ask questions like, "What is the first sound you hear in ball? They should answer, "I hear “b.” If they answer the letter name instead, say, “Yes, that is the letter name.” Hold your hand to your ear and ask, “What sound do you hear?”  When they understand, have children tell you another object that begins with the same sound. They should say, “Bat has the same first sound as ball."
  As they successfully progress try putting three objects together that begin with the same sound. Ask your children to say the first sound that begins all the objects. They might answer, "bat, ball and button all have the same first sound, “b."
  Try having two like sounds and one different. Can your children tell you which one does not start with the same sound (bat, ball, car)? Are they able to determine which one does not belong? If a child is strong at this, move on to separating sounds in words they can sound out like bat, cat, mat, or sat. -- More is coming soon.

Photos: fdarling fotos, Fran Darling

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

How to Make Fall Fun Last Longer

fdarling fotos

Families can make Halloween last a little longer when they do a few activities with fancy gourds.

Grandma Dee purchased gourds with her grandchildren and they discussed the many different shapes and sizes. What animals could these gourds become? Some had long necks like swans.  A few were small round gourds perfect for hedgehogs, porcupines, little pigs, owls, and small turtles with play dough feet. Long necked gourds could be swans and geese.  They hammered small nails into the round gourds and pushed toothpicks into holes for hedgehogs and porcupines.

Painting Gourds

Completely painted gourds must go through a special drying process or paint will bubble and peel and the gourd will mold. To paint only a face or design, wash them first with soap and water. Rub the skin with full strength vinegar or mild bleach, and allow to dry thoroughly under a warm light.  As a precaution place the gourds in a plastic bag over night. In the morning check for moisture in the bag.  If there is none, it is fine to paint. If there is moisture, place the gourds under a light again. If you’re in a hurry, dried gourds are available at craft stores and are easy to paint.

   Grandma and the grandkids only wanted them to last for two weeks. While the gourds dried they discussed different facial expressions that could be painted on the pumpkins and gourds. They looked in the mirror and made faces. Then to practice they drew the expressions on paper.

Some of the grandchildren decided to use marker or paint to make fancy designs of triangles, swirls, curls, and squiggles with faces.

  Older children may want to press on gold thumbtacks and upholstery tacks or use strong quick drying glue to add colorful gems available in craft departments. After painting, older children can teach younger ones a finger play.

5 Little Pumpkins Fingerplay

5 Little pumpkins sitting on a gate (Hold up 5 fingers).

The 1st one said "Oh my! It's getting late!" (Hold up 1 finger. Then point at a clock.)

The 2nd one said, "It's very windy out here!" (Hold up 2 fingers and move like the wind.)

The 3rd one said "But we don't care!" (Hold up 3 fingers as you do when saying I don't know.)

The 4th one said, "Let's run and run and run." (Place 4 fingers on floor and move as though they are running.)

The 5th one said "Let's have some fun." (Wave 5 fingers and arms in air as though dancing!)

WOOOOOSH went the wind. (Make a loud woosh sound.)

OUT went the lights. (Clap hand very loudly when you say OUT.)

5 little pumpkins rolled out of sight. (Make a rolling motion.)

Photos: Fran Darling fdarling fotos & Mark Nowicki

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Kindergarten Feels Like First Grade

There was a time when kindergarteners went to school to learn how to share, stand in line, and sit on a group rug patiently listening to a story. Academic skills were introduced gradually. Now, caregivers are expected to work on reading readiness skills before children begin school. Kindergarten curriculum feels like First Grade used to. It has deeper content and expectations. So, how can we incorporate literacy (listening, speaking, reading, writing) readiness activities that support preschool learning in kid-friendly, everyday ways?

First Speaking, Then Reading

   Much information is available about the importance of reading aloud to children from birth on. It is the number one thing families can do help children learn to read. Daily read aloud time builds lasting relationships and provides story lessons filled with rich vocabulary. Repetition, rhythm and rhyme of familiar words are the next valuable skill builders that support beginning reading and spelling. Readiness skills involving spoken language and phonemic awareness (knowing the sounds letters make) can be worked on any time or place families talk to children. 

Begin With Rhymes

  Recite a nursery rhyme like “Hickory, Dickory Dock” and see if children can echo the lines. With older preschoolers ask how many words they hear in a line. Can they tell you that “Hickory Dickory Dock” has three words and “The mouse ran up the clock” has six words? Help them count by holding up one finger as you say each word in a line. Then, point out that the words “clock” and “dock” rhyme, as do “one” and “run.”

 Recite the poem “Jack and Jill Went up the Hill.” Ask children to tell you words that rhyme in the poem   If they cannot say two rhyming words, supply the words, like “Jill” and “hill” and ask, “Do they rhyme”?

  If this is easy for your youngsters, move on to games where they must provide a word that rhymes with one you say. Try the word “fly”. Can they come up with ”by”, “try, or “cry”? How about “me”, “he”, “we”? Can they make a connection with the sounds? Each time they can provide a rhyming word, tell them that words rhyme when they have the same last sounds so the learner associates the word rhyme with what it means.

 Have children listen for the like sounds at the end of the words and say them. “Fly, by and cry all say “I” at the end.  Keep it playful and short. Use humorous poems. Incorporate a verse or rhyme daily. Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes books are perfect sources. Encouraging children to memorize and recite pieces independently helps increase memory skills and attention span. They are useful for car rides and waiting with children.

Photos: Mark Nowicki

en:Blanche Fisher Wright's cover artwork for the Rand McNally 1916 book The Real Mother Goose

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Brain Activities Key For Ages Two To Five

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 Why is it especially important to do activities with children ages two through five? It is so much easier to put them in front of a cute movie or fast moving game on our phones or any sized computer.

  According to research, children need to understand at least 20,000 words when they enter school. These words are learned from conversations and reading with adults. Brains with 20,000 words say,” Oh, yes. I heard this before when Dad read to me and we talked while playing blocks on the floor. No problem.”

  Children who sit in front of kids movies and computers and aren’t read to, learn only 3,000 words. Since the devices use the same words over and over, these children have a much harder time learning to read. They haven’t heard or used the large variety of words they encounter in grades K-3.

Making Time For Kids

   How and when do we fit this into busy lives? Evidently this time must be scheduled. If something else must be dropped, if the house is not exactly spotless, if shopping is put on hold, if a phone call goes unanswered, if a favorite show isn’t watched, so be it.

  This window of opportunity happens only once in a human being’s life. Brain cells develop and make connections rapidly ages two through five.  We cannot see the brain, but just observe the difference between a two year old and a five year old body.  Think of what must be happening in the brain.

  What can we do? Schedule thirty-minute active or quiet activities so there is something to talk about. Doing activities naturally encourages conversations. 

fdarling fotos

  These activities can involve materials already found around the home and neighborhood.  For example, take a walk and talk about what you see. Pick up leaves and acorns and gather them in a bag. Search for animals getting ready for winter. Talk about who, what, when, where, why, and how questions. What colors are the leaves? Why are the squirrels scurrying around?

When you make time again, children can quietly create a collage using leaves, acorns, and glue while you talk through what they are doing. When dry, tape the art on a wall or refrigerator. Praise how beautiful it is in front of others. Notice how children used their thumbs and fingers. Those muscles are building and getting ready to hold crayons and pencils correctly.

Teach Others

  Is there someone in your extended family or neighborhood who doesn’t know how to play and talk with children? Invite them over. Do an activity together. Share this column. Based on your e-mails, these columns are sent around the world.

   Photos: Fran Darling:fdarlingfotos

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Positive Discipline Works for Families

Discipline that will make a difference in children’s behavior is not easy nor is it a one- time event. Discipline that works is a slow, bit-by-bit, time consuming task of helping children to see the sense in acting a certain way. Readers have asked for more of Dr. Katherine Kersey’s 101 Positive Principles of Discipline to create strong families and reduce stress.  They are shared with her permission.

   Follow Through/Consistency Principle - Don't let the child manipulate you out of using your better judgment. Be firm (but kind)!

  Logical Consequences Principle - Teach children that behavior has consequences. If they forget their jacket, they get cold. If they don’t do their homework, they face the teacher and family’s consequences. If their allowance is all gone, they don’t get a “Slurpee.”

  Make a Sacrifice Principle - Sometimes you have to forget your personal desires (talking on your cell phone, watching a movie, doing your homework) and give full attention to your children

  Owning the Problem Principle – Decide who owns the problem by asking yourself, “Who is it bugging?” If it is bugging you, then you own the problem and need to take responsibility for solving it – OR – you can opt to not let it bug you (and let it go), such as in sibling quibbling!

  Partner Principle - Support your partner’s handling of the situation. If you disagree, move away and let him/her follow through. Leave the room, if you are having trouble not interfering. Do not negate or undermine the discipline in front of the children. If you do, the children will lose respect for both of you. Later, talk it over with your partner and let him/her know why you do not agree with handling the situation.

  Pay Attention Principle - Keep your eyes and mind on what is happening. Don’t wait until the child is out of control to step in.

  Preparation Principle - Let children know ahead of time what they can expect. (You will be able to spend "x" amount of money on shoes and may have one drink at the mall.)

  Prompt and Praise Principle – Explain the expected behavior in a non-critical way and praise children as soon as the behavior occurs.

  Punt the Plan Principle - In the middle of something that is not working – move on to something else. De-stress yourself.

 Positive Closure Principle - At the end of the day, remind children they are special and loved. Help them to look for something good - about the day that is finished and the day that lies ahead.

  Parenting Awareness of Michigan will sponsor a national speaker Dr. Deborah Gilboa “ Ask Dr. G” October 16 at the Holiday Inn in Marquette, Michigan.  She will speak on the 3 R’s of Parenting: Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience.  Register at preventionnetwork.org/pam

Photos: Fran Darling: fdarling fotos

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Smart “D”: Keys to Help Kids

Evidently families (perhaps the whole country) are searching for Positive Discipline Guidelines to help children see the sense in acting a certain way and de-stressing family life.  With her permission here are more principles. Thank you for phone calls, e-mails, and stopping us at the grocery store to request more of these principles.

   Families can find the complete list on Dr. Katharine Kersey’s blog. Do a Google search for Katharin Kersey. Her blog will be listed. It is available to print out and send around the world to loved ones.  Her book for teachers is also listed there.

  It is a brilliant list for the refrigerator.  Families can use it throughout the day and give as gifts to new parents and teachers. See grandparentsteachtoo.org and wnmufm.org for more “Learning Through the Seasons” information.

Keys to Help

  Humor Principle- Make a game out of it.  Laugh together a lot. (”How would a rabbit brush his teeth?”

When/Then-Abuse it/Lose it Principle-“When you have finished your homework, then you may watch TV.”(No homework-no TV.)

Privacy Principle-Never embarrass a child in front of others.  Always move to a private place to talk when there is a problem especially in a restaurant, grocery store, classroom, or mall.  Create such a place in your home. Sometimes sitting in the car to talk things over is a good idea.

Satiation Principle-Allow the behavior to continue if it is not dangerous, destructive, embarrassing, or an impediment to learning until the child is tired of doing it.

Shrug Principle-Learn to shrug instead of arguing. The shrug means,” I’m sorry, but that’s the way it is—end of discussion.”

 Switch Gears Principle - When the unexpected occurs, look for a way to make the most of the situation. For example, if you have a long wait, suggest that each of you close your eyes and listen for what you can hear, or look around and find something you have never noticed before.

Take a Break Principle - Tell the child to "take a break" and think about what she could do differently that would work better or be more constructive. Give her a place to go until she is ready to come back and behave more productively. (This could be a place that you have created in your home or classroom that is comfortable and quiet. A timer is sometimes helpful. The child can determine how long she might need to reflect, refocus and calm down.) The child is in control here. She can decide when she is ready to rejoin the group or try again.

    Parenting Awareness of Michigan will sponsor a national speaker Dr. Deborah Gilboa “ Ask Dr. G” October 16 at the Holiday Inn in Marquette, Michigan.  She will speak on the 3 R’s of Parenting: Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience.  Register at preventionnetwork.org/pam.

Photos: Fran Darling: fdarlingfotos

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest