KITCHEN READER
 
     
Materials Purpose Process
 
 
 
 
 
MATERIALS
 
 
Cereal boxes, milk or juice cartons, soup cans, in fact, anything in the kitchen that would be readable in large words.
 
 
Warning: Any item used in this activity should be parent selected.
 
 
 
PURPOSE
 
     
This activity is designed to focus the child's eye on the letter or the word. Children learn to read many things other than words at an early age. They can read the weather, the parents facial reactions, and social situations with their friends, very early in life. The transition from these large world symbols to the letters and words of print is simply a process of focusing in on shapes and sizes of letters and words. A common problem with children not being able to read is not focusing on the letter or word long enough to see differences in shape or size, then associating a sound with that shape. This activity will give the parent an opportunity to use items that the child will most likely see everyday.
 
 
     
PROCESS
 
1. Sit beside the child at the kitchen table.

2. Place a box of cereal in front of the child and let him/her hold the box upright so that the words are level with the eyes.

3. Point to the large lettering on the box and as you say the word move your finger along the word. Pointing and moving the finger focuses the child's eye on the word.

4. Have the child point to the word and say the word while moving his/her finger.

5. Repeat the activity if the child did not look at the word.

6. Look at the child's eyes and see where he/she is looking. If he/she is not looking at where you are pointing try another item like a can of soup or a juice carton.
 
   
 
7. This is not a formal reading activity. It is meant to be done in the "at play" atmosphere. One or two letters or words a day is sufficient.

8. Here are a few suggestions for you to try:

  • At the store point to different large signs on the shelves or aisles.
  • Write words of different things in the kitchen, e.g., door, cupboard, fridge, cut them out and tape to the corresponding item.
  • Write the names of the child's favorite toys on pieces of paper and lay them on the carpet. Have the child place the favorite toy by the correct word.
  • In the child's room put the words DOLLS, BLOCKS, TRUCKS, etc. on pieces of paper and place where they should go for the room to be tidy.