Music and Early Literacy

 

While I think it is great to take time to read with your child everyday, I very much understand the reality of life with babies and toddlers and sometimes you just do not want to pick up a book. That's okay! (We've all been there!) However, there are many other ways to promote early literacy without actually reading and music or singing songs throughout the day can actually do wonders for your child. Here are some tips on how to include music into your daily routine.

Phonological Awareness

In song, each syllable of the word has its own note. This helps children hear the

smaller sounds that make up words. When picking music to help with Phonological

Awareness, try songs that are slightly slower so your child can sing and hear every

note. Also, songs that include animal noises or other sound effects are great for this

skill. Some great songs for Phonological Awareness include nursery rhymes and

popular children’s songs such as Old MacDonald and If You’re Happy and You

Know It. If you can’t understand every word perfectly, pick a different song.

Vocabulary

For younger children, any kind of “naming song” where you are singing a long list of animals, foods, or any other objects will work. For older children, provide pictures

and text that go along with the unfamiliar words in a song.

Narrative Skills

Repeat, repeat, repeat. That’s the key to a song that strengthens Narrative Skills. Makeup songs that go through a sequence of events (This is the way we brush our teeth, wash our face, comb our hair, before we go to bed.)

Letter Knowledge

Be very careful how you select alphabet songs. Most recorded songs blur L, M, N, O,

and P. Try slower versions, or songs that highlight one letter at a time. Have your

child listen for one particular letter (start with the first letter of their name). When

they hear it, have them wave their hands up or down.

Print Awareness and Print Motivation

Pick music that goes with a book. Read it and then sing it! Nursery rhymes are great

for this, or adapted songs like “The Wheels on the Bus.” You can also sing the song

and then read something like The Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort. You can sing

along to I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beaumont and then play “It Ain’t

Gonna Rain No More.” Some books even contain parts of songs within the text, like

Punk Farm by Jarrett J. Krosoczka or the Pete the Cat books by Eric Litwin. Even non-readers can learn sight words as you point to words in books and sing together.

Adapted from www.ohreadytoread.org/music_in_early_lit_storytime.pdf

ANOTHER SNOW DAY?!

If you are a parent like me, your child’s snow days consist of a lot more television and iPad time then you would like to admit. When there is only one day, it isn’t so bad. But what happens when you find yourself dreading potential school closings on account of you feel you are turning your child into a technology zombie? Here are some really easy fun and engaging activities you can do with your child to break up the day in a more educational way. Each of these activities focuses on at least one of the six early literacy skills: phonological awareness (the sounds of letters), narrative skills (the ability to tell/understand simple stories), letter knowledge, print awareness (letters existing to form words) vocabulary and print motivation (getting children excited about reading).

Guess The Letter:

• Make the sound of a letter and have your child guess which letter makes that sound
• Place letters on the floor (you can make them yourself or use flashcards or if you have foam letters etc.) and make the sound of a letter. Have your child point or jump to the letter that makes that sound
• Using the letters on the floor, say the name of a letter and have your child point or jump to that letter (you can also play this game with numbers)

Where’s Teddy?

• Hide a favorite toy and ask the child where it is. When the child brings it to you have them tell you where it was. You can take turns hiding the toy or hide a few different toys and make a treasure hunt

Talking On the Phone: 

• Give your child a pretend phone and have them call you up (either using your phone or another play one). Create a conversation with your child as if you are not in the same room

What’s In the Bag?

•  Place a few items in a bag and ask your child to help you unpack the bag. Have the child tell you the name of each item they are holding
• Ask a child to find a specific item in a bag
• Have your child help you pack a bag for a specific adventure and have them tell you what they are putting into the bag (bonus if they can tell you why you need that item!)

Create a Word Book:

• Create a list of words your child is familiar with, or pictures of words your child knows (you can even have your child draw pictures of words he knows like a chair or cup or book etc.) Place them in an empty photo album or paste the pictures into a notebook. Have the child go through the book and tell you the names of the pictures (or read the words if they have started to sight read)

In addition to these activities you can always throw on some music and start a dance party. Feel free to shake your sillies out or clap your hands if you’re happy and you know it! Stay warm during these very cold days when the sun doesn’t shine and it’s too wet to play and remember, you don’t just have to sit and read to a child all day to help them build their early literacy skills!

Happy Snow Days!