READING READINESS

Family Discussion: Talk about your family with your child. Have your child name the members then ask what makes a family?

Body Parts Function: Ask your child to all the things he/she can do with his/her feet.

Story Preferences: Read a storybook to your child. Ask your child to explain the part he/she liked the best and why? Then the part he/she liked least and why?

Weather Talk: Take a walk outside. Talk about the weather today. Talk about the clothing you are wearing because of the weather.

Can Label Reading: Note in mathematics section your child is asked to line up cans by height. After the cans are lined up ask you child to describe the contents of each can based on the picture on the label.

Photo Album Stories: Pull out the family photo album. Choose a photo and discuss the photo. Who is in the photo? Where are they? What are they doing in the photo? What did they do after the picture was taken? This activity can be repeated over and over on different days with different pictures. This activity develops not only vocabulary but memory.

List Game: Play a List Game. Say, "Let's make a list of things that are _______." Fill in the blank then start naming objects. For example: Things that are red; things that are flat, things that make noise, things that are big; etc. This would be fun when waiting for an appointment or riding in the car.

Food Pairs: Work together to make a list of foods that go together such as salt/pepper, peanut butter/jelly.

Food Description: Talk to your child about his/her favorite food. Have him/her describe it by color, shape, smell, taste, texture.

I Spy Game: Play "I Spy". Your child will describe something in the room. You will try to guess what it is. When you have the correct answer switch roles. You describe the object and your child guesses.

Growing Up Discussion: Talk about changes. Then show your child one of his/her baby pictures. Describe how your child has changed.

Healthy Breakfast: After completing the above activity, the next day work together to prepare a healthy breakfast. While eating discuss the value of a healthy meal.

Kitchen Utensils Mystery: Fill a bag with kitchen utensils such as a spatula, wooden spoon, hand can opener, etc. Have your child reach in and pull out an item. Then have your child describe the object, name it and describe what it is used for.

Feelings Discussion: Talk about feelings. Ask your child to show a feeling with his/her face. Such as a sad face, a happy face. Now ask your child what makes him/her sad, happy, angry, etc.

Advanced Feelings: After completing the above activity, name feelings such as surprised, anxious, nervous, glad, cheery, etc. Talk about these feelings. Then have your child choose 4 feelings that were discussed and have your child draw a person's face showing each of the 4 chosen feelings.

Happiness Reflection: Ask your child what three things make him/her happy. Then discuss what your child could do for other people to make them happy. Encourage your child to try to do these things.

Baking Together: If you bake, bake cookies with your child. First, read off the recipe, then gather the ingredients. Talk your way through the recipe and baking process. Then sit down with a glass of milk and fresh baked cookies.

Simon Says: Play Simon Says: You tell your child to follow commands. If he/she fails to follow correctly they lose. After a few turns switch and you follow Simon's commands. Don't make the commands too hard. This should be a fun game.

Weather Pictures: Talk about the weather. Find pictures showing different weather. Describe the different types of weather.

Seasons Discussion: Talk about the four seasons. Discuss how the seasons are the same and different.

Seasonal Clothing: Another day, discuss clothing you wear during different seasons and why.

Clothing Function Game: Gather a bag full of clothing such as boot, belt, scarf, hat, shirt, etc. Have your child pull one item at a time from the bag and describe its use and where on the body you wear the item.

Mouth Functions: Ask your child to describe all the things he/she can do with his/her mouth.

Formal Luncheon: Prepare a special lunch together. Then sit down for a "formal luncheon", napkin on lap and proper manners. Discuss proper manners including please and thank you.

Kitchen Safety: Discuss safety in the kitchen. Make a list of kitchen rules.

Outdoor Safety: Go outside in the yard. Discuss outdoors safety. Make a list of safety rules for outside life.

Self-Portrait: Encourage your child to draw a picture of him/herself. Then have him/her describe him/herself by using the picture.

Family Drawing: After completing the above activity, have your child draw the members of his/her immediate family (pets may be included). Then have your child name and describe each member.

Free Painting: Allow your child to free paint a picture. When the picture is dry, have your child describe the painting. Then hang it up in a prominent place in the house.

Arm Functions: Ask your child to describe all the things he/she can do with his/her arms.

Story Retelling: After reading a good book with your child encourage your child to retell the story. Listen to see that your child sequences the events properly and does not stray from the story.