Name Dictionary
Prep:Ā 5 Minutes | Activity Time: 5 Minutes
Children at this age will write more frequently, and their letters will begin to look more accurate. They also will begin to understand letter-sound connections, so they will write one or more letters representing the sounds they hear when trying to spell a word. Help your child learn more about words by creating a Name Dictionary. This activity may take several weeks.āÆ
- Construction paperĀ
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Step 1:Ā Create a homemade book using construction paper, with one page for each letter in your childās first name. Use a dark-colored marker to write one letter of your childās name on each page of the book. For example, a book for āJulieā would have five pages, each with one of the letters in herāÆname.Ā Ā
Step 2:Ā As you come across a word that starts with a letter in your childās name, ask your child to copy the word and draw a picture. For example, as you are making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for your child, you might say:Ā
āLook, ājellyā starts with āJā just like your name. Get your Name Dictionary. See if you can copy the word āJellyā on the āJā page and draw a picture of jelly.āĀ Ā
Provide extra support and modeling. As you come across words that start with the letters in your childās name, you might print the words in your childās Name Dictionary and then ask your child to draw the pictures. For example, as you are making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for your child, you might say:Ā
āLook, ājellyā starts with āJā just like your name, āJulie.ā Get your Name Dictionary. I will write the word āJellyā on theĀ āJāĀ page. Why donāt you draw a picture of jelly?āĀ
You might also encourage your child to write just the letterĀ āJ.āĀ
Ask your child to think of other words that start with the letters in her name.āÆFor example, your child might identify ājuiceā and ājumpā for the letter āJ.ā Ask your child to write the words she names. Do not be concerned if she doesnāt spell them correctly. Even the process of trying to figure out what letters to write will help herāÆdevelop stronger spelling and reading skills for the future. Ā