The first five years of a child’s life they learn so much it’s amazing to think about. This is the age that their brain is like a sponge. Once they learn to recognize letters, they can learn how to spell. Both my girls were reading at a very young age, I like to think it was partly because I read to them every day and my creative way to make learning to read a game.
I started using index cards to write 2,3, and 4 letter words. I would tape the index card to the object. Sometimes getting creative, using a stuffed animal for CAT or DOG. Leave the index cards up for weeks at a time or until they know those words by heart. Once they’ve mastered those words, level up to 5 letters. Don’t discard the cards you take down, keep those for reading or spelling time. By this time they probably can spell the word without seeing the card.
Now for the fun part (well at least it is for them)- While you’re getting you’re dishes done, or one of your many tasks, ask them to spell something from one of the cards. They’ll need to go run to that card and yell the spelling to you, keep repeating this and you’ll be surprised how they love to run around the house to find the different cards and to hear you say, “WOW, what a great job!”. They will also get a kick out of index cards taped all over the house….and the reaction to people that come into your house is priceless!
Once they can spell the object, try adding colors. Now you’ll have 2 cards on your door, “WHITE and DOOR”.
At four and five years old they’ll be able to spell words like microwave, refrigerator, cabinet, television, and many more. You can also level up to sentences { The door is white }.
How fun! My kids loved reading games and flash cards when they were younger. They even love spelling tests now. 🙂
This is how we taught my oldest to read!
Love it!!! My girl friend also puts pictures on the card next to the word and can double as flash cards.
It is confirmed. In another life…..you are my mom.
Such a simple idea and yet so good! Cool I have to try it 🙂
What fun that’s a great ideal. Will have to try it with the grandkids
I’m going to try this. Wonder if will work with teens/young adults. Lights taped to switch so they’ll turn them off, flush taped to toilet, dishes, hamper, wash hands – the possibilities are endless!
LOL. You never know, right? totally worth a try!
HAHA- I’m not sure about that but I’d love to see you do it. I have a poem I wrote on the back of the bathroom door so people will put the lid down and remember to wash their hands…haha
I have a friend who’s mother came in and did this all over the house. It drove my friend crazy, but I truly think it made a difference for her son. Great tip!
Once they’ve mastered reading… this is the same technique my dad used to teach me French words at a young age! By the time I took it in school I had a good vocab base and could concentrate on the grammar.
What a great idea your dad has! I never even thought to do Italian too. I’ll need to do that for prince since we’re trying to teach him Italian!
great idea.. my daughter is reading but would have excel-rated the process