It’s that time of year where children need to be entertained indoors due to the colder weather. Sometimes it is a big task to keep kids from becoming bored! Today Litsa shares her tips on creating word art for toddlers. I did this activity this weekend with Mr. B and he loved it!
As a precursor to reading and writing, I engage my toddler with visual word art. All the supplies we need are easily found in our home:
- Discarded catalogs and/or magazines
- Scissors
- Elmer’s School Glue
- White copy paper (or construction paper)
- Black (or other color) Sharpie
Step One: Cut out pictures that your toddler can name (i.e. baby, Christmas tree, boy, girl, train, Goldfish, etc.). Note that you can have the pictures precut and placed in a Ziploc bag for an easy afternoon art-wordplay. Select 6-8 pictures for your child’s activity.
Step Two: Place your child’s paper either vertically or horizontally in front of your child.
Step Three: Ask your child which picture he/she would like to glue first. And, add glue to the back of that picture. Hand it to the child to glue onto his/her paper.
Step Four: Repeat step three until all pictures have been glued onto the paper.
Step Five: Ask your child to point to a picture and name it. Repeat the name of the picture for him/her. Then, print the name of the picture next to it calling out each letter as you write it. Repeat the name of the picture aloud for your child.
Step Six: Repeat step five until all pictures have their names next to them.
Step Seven: Allow his/her paper to dry.
Step Eight: Display your child’s work in his/her playroom and/or on the refrigerator. Refer back to the words and pictures throughout the week to encourage reading.
This simple activity will give new life to your catalogs but furthermore, it will engage your child in learning. Not a week goes by that a catalog or magazine isn’t set aside for cutting. My toddler will ask to cut pictures out and glue them. Soon, she’ll be able to use blunt scissors as I monitor her cutting. Next, scribbles will appear next to her pictures. And before, I know it her word displays will engage her in writing sentences and stories. Thus, if your toddler’s older brother/sister is interested, they can participate too!
Their imaginations will delight you! Let the journey of creative learners captivate your heart.
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Last night, I had cut out a few pictures for Sophia to cut and paste in the near future! This morning, she spotted them! No need to finish breakfast (in her mind). She was ready for paper and glue! After the activity, I went after my marker to write out the words of her pictures but she wouldn’t have it! She took the marker from my hands and said, “You tell me what the pictures are and I’ll write.” So I named them and spelled out each. She made a little circle or other figure symbolizing in her mind the letters/words of the pictures! My future writer….Enjoy your memories from simple at home projects that promote learning!
So sweet! I love watching kids learn how to write! Capt. M is doing pretty well with sounding out short words but usually forgets to write the vowels. Love “seeing” their little minds at work! Thanks for sharing!