Activities
Gowa: Teachable Moments for Apache Children
Reading with your children is just one way to help them get ready to read. Singing, talking, playing, and writing all help your children learn things they will need to read. These activities will give you ideas for things you can do with your children as you go about your daily routine. Stopping at the grocery store, waiting in a line, driving, and walking outside are all opportunities to learn with your children. Try each of the activities below for fun ways to help your children get ready to read!
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Counting Fish in English and Apache
One fish, two fish, three fish, four! Have you ever counted that high before? Counting is a great way for young children to get ready to read by working on problem-solving and communication skills. Join San Carlos Apache Tribe Language Preservation and Gowa: Teachable Moments for Apache Children as they count fish in English and Apache.
Story Time: Bowwow Powwow by Brenda J. Child
Learning Letters
Knowing the letters and their sounds will help your children get ready to read and write. Help your children learn that letters have sounds and that these sounds make words.
Singing
Singing with your children is an easy and fun way to help them learn new words and learn the sounds that make up words.
Using Grocery Store Inserts
Grocery store inserts (sometimes called fliers or circulars) are a great way to teach your children new words. And they are free! Pick one up next time you are at the store and then try these
Letter Lids
Want a free way to help your children learn letters? Turn old peanut butter and Tupperware lids into letter lids! This fun activity helps your children learn letters while using touch, play and sight.
Talking During Mealtimes
Talking with your children during mealtimes is a great way to teach them new words and about the world around them. It's also a lot of fun!
Being Smart About Screen Time
Screen time (using a device with a screen, such as a phone, TV, or video game) is part of everyday life for most families. Use these suggestions to be smart about how you share screen time with your children!
Download the Being Smart About Screen Time handout.
Watch the Quick Tips: Being Smart About Screen Time video.
Listening to Podcasts
Podcasts are like radio show you can download. Try listening to a podcast with your children instead of watching TV or a movie.
Asking Open-Ended Questions
Asking open-ended questions can help your children learn new words and develop their problem-solving skills.
Download the Asking Open-Ended Questions handout.
Watch the Quick Tips: Asking Open-Ended Questions video.
Using Calculators
Using a calculator can be a fun way to teach your children their numbers.You can play with a calculator and talk about numbers almost anywhere!
Download the Using Calculators handout.
Watch the Quick Tips: Using Calculators video.
Talking Throughout the Day
You can talk with your children wherever you and explain any task you are doing. Talking with them throughout the day helps your children learn new words and the sounds that make up words.
Finding Free Books
Want to build your child's library for free? Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and Unite for Literacy will send your child free books in the mail!
Playing Simon Says
Simon says.... learn new letters with your children! The game Simon Says will have your children moving around, laughing, and learning new letters.
Sharing Stories
Sharing family stories and memories with your children can help them learn new words and connect with family history.
Exploring Books
When reading, show your children the different parts of a book. Showing them the different parts will help them understand how to use books, that books contain words, and that words have meaning.
Story Time: The Bunny who Walked on His Ears by Brian C. Taylor
Listen as Chris Carlson reads The Bunny Who Walked on His Ears. You’ll meet a lot of new characters – a Wattlefly, Tooth-a-saurus and even a Frittle! You will learn how to use the pictures to figure out what these words mean.
Watch the Story Time: The Bunny Who Walked on His Hears video.
The Bunny Who walked on His Ears is written by C. Brian Taylor, illustrated by Sharon Butler and published by Brumby Run Productions. This story time video was created with permission from Brumby Run Productions.
Story Time: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd
Bedtime is a great time for a story! Curl up with your children and enjoy Goodnight Moon together. The book has lots of pictures and just a few words, so fill up the extra space with your own stories!
Watch the Story Time: Goodnight Moon video.
Goodnight Moon is written by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd and published by Harper Collins Publishers.
Story Time: Brown Bear by Bill Marti Jr. and Eric Carle
Do you see the same things as bears, frogs, and goldfish? There is only one way to find out!
Watch the Story Time: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? video.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See is written by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle and published by MacMillian Publishers.