Activity Idea: Making Marks

Infant and Toddler QuickSource® reminds us that toddlers begin learning about print when they are in the 18-36 month age range. "Caregivers should provide plenty of experiences that involve rhyming, using books, beginning the process of scribbling. Children in this stage are very curious about the world and items around them."

Here's an activity called Making Marks that will help toddlers begin the process of learning about print. Exposing toddlers to books and stories will provide the foundation to help them gain the necessary literacy skills as they enter preschool. For this activity, you will need Colorations® Chubby Crayons (CRCHB) and White Sulfite Paper (A80SU).

Materials Needed:
Colorations® Chubby Crayons (CRCHB)
White Sulfite Paper (A80SU)

Let's Get Started: 1. By the time the child is two, the child has made attempts to make marks on a piece of paper. 2. During this stage of development the child will want to explore different writing instruments. 3. Large crayons and large markers are usually the best materials for young children to grasp and make marks. 4. KEEP IN MIND: A toddler should be closely supervised whenever using a writing instrument. Also, it is usually difficult for the toddler to make legible marks with large pencils. Crayons and markers usually are a better choice.

Furthermore....
Extend this activity by allowing each child to tell the class about what they drew.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: ER17: Begins to Experiment with Writing Instruments.

Activity Idea: What Other Words Have a Beginning Sound to Match Your Name?

Preschool Activity QuickSource® reminds us that language is all around us and that by engaging children in conversations, we expose them to new words and support their developing language skills. By "encouraging expressions of thoughts, feelings, and opinions through words, you lay the foundation for a child's later reading success."

Here's a new activity called What Other Words Have a Beginning Sound to Match Your Name? that uses circle time to reinforce the use of familiar sounds when speaking. For this activity, you will need a Phonics Spelling Game, Interactive Letter Vests, and a Beginning Sounds Table Top Pocket Chart.

Materials Needed:
Phonics Spelling Game (PSG)
Interactive Letter Vests (ABCME)
Beginning Sounds Table Top Pocket Chart (PC771)

Let's Get Started:
1. Have children listen for other words that begin with the same sound as their name.

2. Point out names that begin with the same sound along with other common words.

Furthermore....
You can also use this activity to excuse children from circle time by having each child name another word that begins with the same sound as his or her own name in order to leave the circle. Example: Tommy-Train, Amy-Apple, Billy-Block. (Note: It is not necessary for the child to be able to attach the sound to the alphabet letter at the beginning of the name. This activity is to recognize sounds in familiar words.)

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guideline: LT 4 Shows Awareness that Words can Begin with the Same Sound.