Comments on: We Need to Work On Our Letters

By: romo

romo — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:11:10 +0000

This one is a real "back to basics" but here it is anyway: Be a reading parent.

Yup, not just take 'em to the library and have bed-time stories and have books everywhere, but let your kids see you in the act of reading–serious, sitting down reading–on your own. The bonus is that you get to read and instead of feeling indulgent or guilty, chalk it up to good parenting!

Another everyday tip: Point out when you are reading something. IE, "I'm have to read the mail now," "Let me read the instructions," "I want to read the ingredients," and so on.

Happy reading!

By: PlanningQueen

PlanningQueen — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:22:18 +0000

I wrote a post a couple of weeks ago on online learning games for preschoolers. I use these as a fun way to support the literacy and numeracy work we do together. http://planningwithkids.com/2008/05/20/10-online-learning-games-for-preschoolers/

By: jessica

jessica — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:28:04 +0000

Too funny!
everythingpreschool.com and often, I find exactly what I want just by googling w/o having a special site in mind.
We make CD's reading the kids favorite books then they "read" during quiet time. I agree w/ Jenni, above.

By: Jenni

Jenni — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:57:59 +0000

I agree with Starfall.com. It is the only kid's website I've found that isn't just inane games and a big advertisement. Especially with homeschooling several grade levels, I need a separate activity to keep my middle busy when I am working with the oldest. Starfall is a great interactive resource.

I also have many, many audio stories from our library's website and Storynory.com. I try to get stories that are the same as ones we are reading. I've found that, unlike movies, which tend to pull interest away from the books, audio stories draw my kids to the books. They love to listen to the stories while reading the books.

By: Jess

Jess — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:36:18 +0000

I highly recommend the word whammer. Thing 2 used it and loved it. He has has the Letter Factory radio.

There are also many many many computer games that would help with letter development. Any of the Jump Start CD's are great. There is Ready for Reading wiht Pooh.

My first Leap Pad was a great introduction to Thing 2. The books are simple to follow and age appropriate.

By: Bethany

Bethany — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:24:21 +0000

My 3 year old son also loves SuperWhy. I found I can download episodes from itunes and from the pbskids.org website for him to watch when we miss it on TV (we limit TV to an hour a day, and he would use the whole hour on SuperWhy). We actually use it as a reward once his chores are finished for the morning. I will have to check out the Leap Frog videos too. I've seen them referenced on several other blogs recently.

By: bea

bea — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:35:45 +0000

I can't wait until my son learns to read (he's only 2), but he has learned his letters thru PBS shows. I grew up on Sesame Street and now he watches that and SUperWhy. The show shows characters from books going into classic stories and finding letters and words. My son does know all his letters. If I point to one he says it pretty clearly. I only hope it's a good start. I like the other hints commenters have left. I will have to remember them. Thanks for this post.

By: Meredith

Meredith — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:29:43 +0000

I used "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" by Siegfried Engelmann with my oldest son. The book is entirely scripted…you only follow what it tells you to say. At 6, my son now reads on a third grade level. We have just started it with my 4 year old, too. As a former teacher and homeschool mom, I highly recommend this for reading!

By: Alison @ This Wasn't In The Plan

Alison @ This Wasn't In The Plan — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:16:37 +0000

I was going to suggest starfall.com, but see that it's already been mentioned, it is a wonderful site, so I'm not suprised.

Word World is a wonderful PBS series that is all about letters and words. My three year old loves it and makes me promise each night that that I'll tape it for him the next morning if he doesn't wake up in time.

By: Monique

Monique — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:03:12 +0000

Wow that sounds great! I have bought an ABC and 123 learning DVD with Winnie The Pooh and was very disapointed in them. I'll have to check these ones out.

My DD loves going through the alphabet with the Little People ABC's Zoo Game here:
http://www.fisher-price.com/us/fun/games/abczoo/default.asp

And to help her to love reading I read a bedtime story to her everynight. She knows them all so well that she helps me "read" them by filling in the words when I pause for her. I also buy her books all the time, anytime she finds one she loves from the library we buy it for our collection at home. Toys I'll limit, but not books.

Thanks for a great post and product review!