Singing!
Singing songs gives children lots of practice hearing and saying rhyming words and breaking words into smaller pieces. Hearing all the sounds in a word makes it easier to sound out new words when they are reading.
Action Songs
Action songs like the one on the Spark Card provide a fun way for children to learn new words.
More: Try changing the words of another familiar song. Sing the Hokey Pokey and wave your hands, bend your elbows, wiggle your fingers...
Chanting
Chanting games, like the one on the Spark Card build sequencing and memory skills.
More: Read cumulative books for more practice with sequence.
Dancing
Dancing and singing can introduce children to new words. Move like the dancers on the Spark Card and talk about what they are doing.
More: Tired of traditional kids' songs? Dance with your kids to classical music with Dance Along, to world music on Dance the World Around or to Motown classics on Motown Dances
Lullabies
Singing lullabies is a meaningful way to enrich your child’s language experience. Snuggle your child and sing the song on the Spark Card.
More: Find a list of great great lullaby CDs
Nursery Rhymes
Nursery rhymes help children recognize that a story has a beginning, middle and end. Read the rhyme on the Spark Card and discuss what happens in the rhyme.
More: Read Fly into Reading with Mother Goose for more great ideas about using nursery rhymes.
