​​​​​​​​​Materials: Writing tools and materials: paper, markers, crayon, paint, glue, and scissors.

STEP 1

Ask your child to draw a picture of their favorite place, food, toy, person, or thing to do. You can also show your child a picture of a special event or memory from when they were younger.

STEP 2

Ask your child what they are making. Write down simple words like Walmart, pizza, cars, Daddy, swim. You can also write down what you see as your child babbles and interacts with a photo.

STEP 3

Have your child rewrite the word. Praise them for any marks that they make. They do not need to make the letters correctly. Simple marks and scribbles are a great way to learn how to write.

MAKE IT EASIER:

Use photos of special events or memories to talk with your child and label different parts

of the photo.

EXTEND THE LEARNING:

  • Make a list of their favorite things and let them trace the words.
  • Describe the curves and lines that make letters. Example: “B” Has a straight line and two small curves.
  • Write down the sentence they used to describe their drawing.

​​

​WHAT IS MY CHILD LEARNING?

Retelling a familiar family story increases your child’s ability to remember that story, and it is an important literacy skill. When a child hears a story that is from another person’s point of view, it helps them see someone else’s perspective and build empathy. Help your child make predictions about what will happen next. This helps children use real-world experience in their response.

WHY?

Storytelling is one way we pass information from one generation to the next. Families can connect through storytelling by telling an oral story, by revisiting a written family story, or by reading a book.



child looking at picture book