• Use magnetic letters to practice making word families.(ex. -ake = take, bake, shake; -ick = wick, lick, pick; -at = hat, mat, sat; -it = bit, hit, sit; -op  = top, mop, hop, pop)
• Make one set of cards with base words (ex. cook, plant, jump) and make another set of cards with suffixes (ex. -s, -ed, -ing). Have your child match the cards to form and read new words
• Have your child read words he/she recognizes on street signs, advertising, buildings, menus, etc.
• Read to your child pausing at commas and stopping at periods

• Read stories (fiction) and informational (nonfiction) books to your child every day
• Ask your child simple and difficult questions about the books you share
Example story: Little Red Riding Hood
Simple (Who? What? When? Where?): Who did Little Red Riding Hood visit?
Difficult: (How? Why?) How do your think Little Red Riding Hood felt when the wolf pretended to be Grandma?
Connection: What other story does this remind you of? Why?
• Write a note to your child with simple instructions and have him/her read it and follow the directions (ex. Please pick up your toys.)
• Talk to your child as you cook and use words such as baking, stirring, teaspoon
• Ask your child to pick up his/her toys and have him/her put the toys in categories (toys with wheels, round toys, hard toys)
• While shopping, ask your child why the apples and grapes are in the same aisle (Answer: They are fruits.)
• Use pictures in the story to retell the story with details and events in order

Ask your child to write a story about a picture he/she has drawn

Make available paper, pencils, crayons, and markers for your child to use to write

Ask your child to dictate a story to you and then read the story together

• Review your child's spelling words he/she brings home
• Review your child's writing he/she brings home and review any misspelled words

• Take your child to the public library and select books (both fiction and nonfiction) that he/she is able to read or would enjoy hearing!