Reading and Writing

Reading, Writing, and Language Early Learning Activities

Children and Pets

children and petsKindergarten readiness not only comes in different shapes and sizes but in various creatures too. Having a pet is the dream and wish of kids. As kids develop a bond with their pets, they also learn to be gentle and caring. Having a pet comes with responsibilities like cleaning, feeding, and exercising. Children also learn to think not just of what they want but the wants and needs from the pet’s point of view. Does the kitty like to chase a stick? No, it likes to chase a piece of string. Does the dog like to watch tv? No, it likes to go for a walk, (and eat icecream).

Union presidents should have the negotiating skills of kids as they try and talk parents into getting a pet. But there’s lots of reasons why some pets are not possible, such as allergies, being in a place that doesn’t allow them, expense, and being away from home all day. Is having a pet a topic for discussion in your house?
grandpa-can-I-have-a-pet
In two fun little ebooks called Grandma, Can I Have A Pet? and Grandpa, Can I Have A Pet? written and illustrated by Paulie Merioux, a little boy suggests all kinds of pets. The text rhymes and there are some creative ideas for different sorts of pets, including a horse, cow, whale, and iguana. Grandpa, Can I Have A Pet is available for a free download April 13th on Amazon! (click here).It’s a fun little book to read aloud with kids.

children and petsA family in our neighborhood has a pet stick bug that lives in an old aquarium. It’s name is Branchy. Maybe one of the pets in the story will work for your house?

Kindergarten Readiness: Pocket Treasure Hunt

Today you can tuck some kindergarten readiness fun and learning into a pocket. Children’s pockets hold all kinds of treasures and things they collect. From a special stone picked up on a walk to the bus, to a bit of shiny paper, to a tissue that smells like mommy, a car, block, or tiny stuffie, a pocket is handy for them all. Experience soon teaches parents to check kids’ pockets before doing the wash.

It’s no wonder that the little bear Corduroy wanted his very own pocket. Written by Don Freeman, A Pocket For Corduroy is anpocket-for-corduroy older book, but a favorite for kids because they can all relate to having a pocket. In the story the little bear looks for solutions to having a pocket of his own. It’s quite an adventure that stretches kids’ imagination as soap flakes turn into a ski hill and more.

Parents and caregivers can also use this book to explore with children how important it is not to go off on their own. Corduroy gets locked in the laundromat all night when he does that. Kids also hear how doing just a small thing for someone else can make a big difference. (Below is a video of this wonderful little book, about 8 minutes long.)

You and your child can talk about what’s in your pockets or go for a walk to find something to put in them. Your child can go for a pocket treasure hunt right in the house.  Did you know that pockets can also hold kisses?

Kindergarten Readiness: Personal Photo Book

When I saw an activity from my friend Stephanie Haass’s blog Two-daloo I knew it would be perfect for a kindergarten readiness play-of-the-day. There is just so much fun and learning in a personalized photo book. Can you imagine how exciting it is to read about your very own adventures? It inspired us to make one.

One of the basic concepts for learning to read is the simple notion that letters and other squiggles hold meaning. This seems obvious to us but it isn’t to kids. Until kids understand that print makes sense in the first place, they can’t make sense out of the print-squiggles. This activity is a powerful way for kids to connect what the words are saying to what the picture is saying.

Another basic concept is that the words say the same thing every time. It doesn’t matter how many times each picture is read, did you know it would always be the same? Of course, adults know that but it’s something that kids have to learn. Just reading over and over will help young children’s brains develop these ideas.

Once kids know that the words hold meaning and that they stay the same, some children will begin to recognize some of the same words. This is how children develop sight vocabulary. And they do it on their own when we give them lots and lots of experiences. Here is the book that we made (our book had all the words on the photos.) Can you and your child make a personal photo book for reading, learning, fun, and sharing too?

Kindergarten Readiness – Conversations with Guest Experts #5

For each radio show on Learn and Play with Mrs A, I take notes because I’m learning so much about kids and kindergarten readiness from fascinating guests who are experts in a variety of areas. Each of them is passionate about kids and loves the work, or maybe that’s play? Here’s a play-of-the-day suggested from … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – Conversations with Guest Experts #5

Kindergarten Readiness – Conversations with Guest Experts #1

For each radio show on Learn and Play with Mrs A, I take notes because I’m learning so much about kids and kindergarten readiness from fascinating guests who are experts in a variety of areas. Each of them is passionate about kids and loves the work, or maybe that’s play? Here’s a play-of-the-day suggested from … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – Conversations with Guest Experts #1

Kindergarten Readiness ABC`s – R is for Rhyme Time

Once upon a time, we can help children develop kindergarten readiness with words that rhyme. And it will take time for children to be able to rhyme words. Words are tools for communicating to others and for thinking. But words are based on a system of sounds. For instance, the word cat has 3 sounds; … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness ABC`s – R is for Rhyme Time

Kindergarten Readiness – Christmas Eve Poem

It’s Christmas Eve and with so many things to do and think about kindergarten readiness goes to the bottom of the list, and that’s not a bad idea. Early learning is still happening though, in the activities of the family. Children are learning what is important and special about this time as they watch what … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – Christmas Eve Poem

Kindergarten Readiness/Early Learning Basics: Letter Sounds

Parents and caregivers often ask what young children need to know before kindergarten; this is the 17th in a series of blog posts on kindergarten readiness and early learning basics. No matter the age of your little one, this will give you a general picture of what to do as your child’s very first teacher. … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness/Early Learning Basics: Letter Sounds

Some Handy Ideas for Kindergarten Readiness: Talking

Hands that talk are great fun and can be part of  kindergarten readiness learning. Today, hands can say/show about fall. This is an easy one to do: Signing a few words is another way to stimulate early brain development. As children learn to connect a word and an action, their brains are making connections too. … Continue reading Some Handy Ideas for Kindergarten Readiness: Talking

Some Handy Ideas for Kindergarten Readiness: Reading

No matter if you have a child starting preschool or kindergarten this year, next year or a few years from now, do you know what the most important activity is that you can do at home? Best of all, it’s not just for kindergarten readiness but other kinds of development, too. It’s reading and sharing … Continue reading Some Handy Ideas for Kindergarten Readiness: Reading