Handouts and Videos for Baby College 101: Courses for Ałchíní Yázhí
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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Reading Activities
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.
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 Throughout the Day
Looking for a free way to help your children learn how to read? Talk with them everywhere you go each day. Talking helps them learn new words and the sounds that make up words.
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.
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!
Sharing Stories
Sharing family stories and memories with your children can help them learn new words and connect with family history.
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!
Listening to Podcasts
Looking for an alternative to your children zoning out in front of a screen? Try listening to podcasts (radio shows you download) together! They are a great way to enjoy stories and have fun, even in the car.
Grocery Store Inserts
Kids can be expensive, but helping them learn to read doesn’t have to be. Check out our suggestions for using free grocery store inserts (also called fliers or circulars) to help children explore new words.
Asking Open-Ended Questions
Asking open-ended questions can help your children learn new words and develop their problem-solving skills.
Story Time
Story Time: Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse
A classic story of a child learning to test their limits and a mother showing unconditional love. As you read with your child, talk about things that are the same and different about Navajo and Alaskan culture.
Story Time: Mama, Do You Love Me? video.
From Mama, Do You Love Me?, ©1991 Barbara M. Joosse. Illustrations by Barbara Lavallee. Used with Permission from Chronicle Books, LLC. This book may be purchased by visiting www.ChronicleBooks.com.
Loving Me by Debby Slier
Loving Me is a great way to show your children that Navajo words have an English translation and that English words have words that match in Navajo. Talk with your children about the people they see in the book too!
Loving Me is written by Debby Slier and published by Star Bright Books. This story time video was created with permission from Star Bright Books.
My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith
Asking open-ended questions (questions that don't have an easy yes or no answer) is a great way to get the most out of story time with your child. Follow along with the story and ask your child the open-ended question, "What makes you happy?"
Story Time: My Heart Fills with Happiness video.
Fills My Heart with Happiness is written by Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Julie Flett and published by Orca Book Publishers.
Fry Bread: A Native American Story by Kevin Noble Maillard
Sharing stories with your children is a great way to introduce family history and culture. Follow along with Cotillion as she explores the fry bread and the cultural significance of the food.
Fry Bread is written by Kevin Noble Maillard, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal and published by Roaring Book Press.