Early Literacy Practices (Write)
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Write
Introduction
Writing helps children develop motor skills and understand that written words represent ideas. It allows children to express themselves through language. Through writing, they also learn the conventions of written language and how to read. At the pre-writing stage, they do not need to write legibly – being able to scribble or trace is a good start.
Recommended Activities
Connect the Dots
If your child is just starting to learn how to write, it would be useful for them to learn basic writing patterns such as zigzags, curves and diagonals. What is great about this activity is that writing pattern worksheets are easily available online for you to print and share with your child. Make the activity fun by experimenting with different types of writing surfaces and materials.
Rhymes
Rhymes are great for building vocabulary. For this activity, you will need to gather some words that rhyme. Print out images that represent these words and group them together based on how they rhyme. Explain to your child the different groups. For example, “These words are grouped together because they end with -ime.” Ask your child to guess the word that corresponds with the image. For older children, you may get them to write down the word on a piece of paper.
This activity can be expanded to introduce words that begin with the same letters. For example, words that begin with the letters “ch-”, such as chair, child, chime, chore, etc.
Finger Painting
This simple activity helps children get used to writing as it closely replicates writing with a pencil. All you need are pieces of paper and child-friendly non-toxic paints in various vibrant colours. Write out your child’s name or any word on a piece of paper. Make sure the letters are well-spaced out as the paint will bleed into the paper. Get your child to trace over what you have written with their fingers dipped in paint.
Recommended Books
Title: Touch and Trace ABC
Author: Harriet Evans
Illustrator: Jordan Wray
Publisher: Wilton, CT : Tiger Tales, 2021.
Location: Early Literacy Concepts
Call Number: English 421 EVA
Using their finger, children can trace each grooved letter and explore its shape. With each letter in the alphabet to trace and words to learn, this book has plenty for little ones to discover and learn. An exciting and tactile introduction to the world of writing!
Title: The Cows on The Bus: a Sing-along Action Rhyme!
Author: Georgiana Deutsch
Illustrator: Valerie Sindelar
Publisher: Wilton, CT : Tiger Tales, 2021. ©2021
Location: Early Literacy Sense & Sensations
Call Number: English DEU
Join the cows on the bus in this hilarious mixed-up rhyme! With sturdy tabs to pull that reveal a surprise on every page, this is the perfect book to make little learners giggle!
Title: Theo Thesaurus: The Dinosaur Who Loved Big Words
Author: Shelli R. Johannes
Illustrator: Michael Moran
Publisher: New York : Philomel Books, 2021.
Location: Early Literacy Picture Books
Call Number: English JOH
Theo TheSaurus is a little dino who loves words–the bigger the better! And he’s determined to share that love with his new classmates in his new school, no matter that they don’t understand him at first. But when a trip to the athenaeum (also known as the library) becomes a visit to the auditorium instead, and a suggestion to play conceal-and-search (or hide-and-seek) only earns him looks of confusion, Theo realizes that misinterpretations can actually just be plain confusing! It’s only when his newfound friends find a way to show they care that Theo learns that sometimes, there are things more important than words.
In this sweet and funny book filled with bright art, a brand-new dino character, and a full glossary of big words at the end, readers have tons of fun–and learn some new words along the way! It’s FANCY NANCY for the dino-loving set!
Title: Every Little Letter
Author: Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Joy Hwang
Publisher: New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, [2020] ©2020
Location: Early Literacy Picture Books
Call Number: English UND
OverDrive Link: https://nlb.overdrive.com/media/5091890
Small h has always lived with the other H’s in a city surrounded by walls that keep them safe. At least, that’s what the big H’s say. But one day, a hole in the wall reveals someone new on the other side. When little h and little i meet, they make a small word with big meaning: “hi!” The other H’s find out, though. They fill the hole. But it won’t be enough to keep these little letters apart–or twenty-four of their newest friends. Every Little Letter shows how even the smallest among us can make a big impact, and how a single act of friendship can inspire whole communities to come together. How do you tear down walls? With words, at first. Then brick by brick.
All synopses taken from the respective publishers. The book covers are the copyright of the respective publishing companies.
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