Toddlers and tigers and bears, oh my!
As parents of tiny tots, we all know how hard it is to get these babes to sit down and focus on anything. Here are some sneaky ways to promote phonics learning. See how you can sprinkle phonics into your child’s daily playtime routine. Also, check out our recommendations for toys that can enable learning play like this as well.
Alphabet Treasure Hunt: Turn your living room into a treasure trove of learning! Scatter alphabet cards around the room and encourage your little explorer to find them. As they discover each letter, say its sound aloud together. It's like a mini adventure with an educational twist!
Phonics Memory Game: Who said memory games are just for grown-ups? Create pairs of cards with letters and corresponding objects or animals whose names start with that letter. Mix them up and lay them out face down. Take turns flipping them over and saying the letter sound and the word. It's a fun way to boost memory skills while mastering phonics!
Letter Sound Bingo: Bingo just got a phonics makeover! Create bingo cards with letters instead of numbers and call out words that start with those letters. Your little champ can cover the letters as they hear the corresponding sounds. It's a win-win game that keeps them engaged and sharpens their phonemic awareness.
Sensory Letter Bins: Time to get hands-on with learning! Fill bins with different sensory materials like rice, sand, or beans. Hide small letter magnets or foam letters in the bins and let your toddler dig in! As they uncover each letter, ask them to say its sound. It's a messy (but oh-so-fun) way to explore phonics!
Rhyme Time Sing-Along: Turn up the tunes and get ready to rhyme! Sing catchy rhyming songs or make up your own silly rhymes together. Rhyming helps kids recognize similar sounds in words, which is a key phonics skill. Plus, it's a fantastic bonding activity that'll have you both giggling in no time!