We all have those days when things are chaotic and Mommy just needs 10 minutes of quiet so she doesn’t explode, right?! On those days, quick and easy activities are ESSENTIAL. What is my go to with a toddler and a preschooler? It is always play dough or stickers. Without a doubt! When I need a ‘Mommy Break’ I whip out the play dough. And if I don’t feel like cleaning up the little bits that the baby might eat as they fall to the ground, then I pull out the stickers.
Now, I could just hand my kiddos a roll of stickers and let them have at it. They would love that…and then I would have stickers all over my walls and none to use for later, sigh. Not exactly my idea of an enriching and engaging activity.
Check out one of our fun sticker activities here!
Instead, I set up simple activities that my kiddos can do independently and that will engage them long enough for me to collect myself. I have made treasure maps, animals matching games, name decorating stations and on and on! I would have to say that this latest activity is among the most ‘academic’ that I have gotten. and it was a HUGE success!
Why Make It Academic?
My preschooler is at a point where he is ready to start learning to read (early stages people!) and it makes my Kindergarten teacher heart so happy! He walks around the house sounding words out and telling me what letters he hears. Right now he is very focused on the beginning sound (or first letter) of a word. Which, in my professional opinion, is a perfect place to start!
I seriously could follow him around all day listening to him sound out words. I can’t get enough of it! Ok, I know I’m a bit of a dork, but for those of you who have not spent much time in a Kindergarten classroom, let me explain. Teaching a child to read, is not an easy task. It is not something that you can simply explain and have them grasp. There are many steps and skills that go into reading, and it takes a lot of time (along with the child being ready) in order to accomplish it.
HOW MANY STEPS ARE THERE?
Hold on tight, because here we go!
First, they must know the sound(s) that each letter makes. Along with the sound, they should be able to name all of the letters (capital AND lowercase!).
Next, they must understand that a sequence of letters creates a word. They must then be able to sound a word out (beginning sound, middle sound, ending sound) and smoosh it back together to form a word. Ex. cat – c-a-t – cat
And on, and on, and on! Point being? There is A LOT that goes into reading! And it just fills my heart with joy to hear my son beginning to do it on his own!
So, for this activity I utilized our most beloved toys (animal figures) to draw his interest. Here is what you will need:
*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying orders at no addition cost to you.
Materials:
- Small animal figures
- Paper roll
- Permanent marker
How To:
Grab your large paper roll and lay out all of the animals on it.
Pick up one animal at a time and write the letter it begins with on the paper underneath it.
Continue doing this until all of the animals are sitting on their beginning letter.
Tip: Be sure to use animals with a variety of beginning letters so the paper isn’t full of the same letter. Ex. if you use a bear, bird, bull, badger and bison there will be a lot of ‘b’s on the paper. Change it up!
Now, place the animals in a small basket beside the paper and invite your little to match the animals to their beginning sound/letter.
Watch the Magic Unfold
This activity can give you so much information on where you child is in his/her reading journey. Was it easy for your kiddo to match all of the animals to their beginning letter? Did he/she struggle with certain letters? Was your little trying to match animals to their ending sound instead?
Just sit back and watch to gather loads of information that can help you guide your child along his/her reading journey.
Related: Does your kiddo love animals? Check out this fun and easy activity to encourage independent play!
Thank you so much for reading, sweet friend! I truly appreciate every view, comment and share. Be sure to follow along on Pinterest and see what we are up to on Instagram!
If you are looking for another great activity with an educational twist, be sure to check out our page full of activities for your alphabet blocks!
