Activities to Help Your Child Learn New Words

Purchase a set of magnetic letters (lower case). Have your child make words on a cookie
          sheet or the refrigerator.

Write words using different colored markers.

Spray shaving cream on a cabinet top or cookie sheet (not a wooden surface). Have your
              child make words in the shaving cream.

Write words with a highlighter marker, have your child trace words with a pencil or
           crayon.

Print words on 3X5 cards and cut them into puzzles. Have child put puzzles together
          and read words. Be sure and cut each card differently.

Print lower case letters on large tongue depressors and have child put tongue depressors
          together to make words.

Provide child with a sheet of newspaper or magazine page. have child circle or highlight
          words they find.

Have child use the word in a sentence. Example: I can go up the slide. Model a
          sentence for them if they seem unsure of themselves or reluctant.

Make up simple sentences with rebus pictures and have child read them.
         Example:

                                                  Acan go.

Make two sets of 3X5 and play Concentration or Go Fish with your child.

If available, have your child type their words in a word processing program such as
          Microsoft Word. Set up a template in 24 pt. font using a font such as Comic Sans. I
          will be glad to email you a template if you would like one. Let your child type their
          words from the 3X5 cards you have made.

Have your child show you words they know as you read a story to them. It's important
          that they look at the print as you read.