Activity 1 »
First Name
Identifying letters in a child's name and listen to ABC (The Alphabet Song)
Instructions
- Together select the letters needed to spell a child’s name
- Spell a child’s name on the cookie sheet using the magnetic letters
- Remove the first letter saying the name and sound of the letter and give to the child
- Have the child replace the letter in the proper spot saying aloud name and sound of the letter
- Remove the second letter saying the name and sound of the letter and give to the child
- Have the child replace the letter in the proper spot saying aloud name and sound of the letter
- Repeat until all letters are replaced
- Mix up all the letters and together place in the correct order for the child’s name
- Listen together to the ABC Song (The Alphabet Song) or Watch/Listen here and begin to sing along. Listen to the sound of the letter that begins the child’s first name.
Simplify
Write the child's name on a piece of paper to use as a guide when selecting each letter to place on the cookie sheet
BONUS RESOURCE to help learn letters by paying careful attention to details and remembering.
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Extend
Instead of removing from the cookie sheet just one letter, remove two or three letters at a time for the child to place correctly back on the cookie sheet to spell their name correctly
QUESTIONS FOR CHILD
How many letters are in your name?
If you could choose a different name for yourself what would it be and why?
Materials
- magnetic alphabet letters or individual index card/paper with letters in a child's name
- magnetic cookie sheet or refrigerator door
Activity Resources
Share This Activity
Curriculum Plan Resources
Skills Focus
- Shape - Square
- Color - Yellow
- Number - One, 1
- Alphabet Letter - A, E
- Senses - Touch
- Character Trait - Caring
- Target Words - In, Out, Empty, Full
Monthly Proverb
Swedish - The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm.
Did You Know?
Children who are not ready for kindergarten often have trouble succeeding in school. Those who do poorly in school are more likely to need to repeat classes, need special education, drop out of school, become teen parents, and get into trouble with the law. As adults, drop-outs have trouble making a living wage, and are at risk of poverty and homelessness
From Plan for the Washington Early Learning System – Draft 12/1/09 (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 2005; Isaacs, 2008).
Books to Read
"The Mitten"
by Jan Brett (Activity 22)
"Little Blue and Little Yellow"
by Leo Lionni (Activity 8)
"How Kind"
by Mary Murphy (Activity 12)
"Little Blue and Little Yellow" VIDEO
by Leo Lionni (Activity 8)
"The Mitten" VIDEO
by Jan Brett (Activity 22)
"How Kind" VIDEO
by Mary Murphy (Activity 12)
Music Playlist
"The Hokey Pokey"
by Music for Little People Choir from album Toddlers Sing Playtime (Children) (Activity 14)
"Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K448 II."
Andante by Alicia de Larrocha from album Mozart: Concerto & Sonata for 2 pianos (Classical) (Activity 20)
"ABC (The Alphabet Song)"
from album Dora the Explorer (Children) (Activity 1)
"The Hokey Pokey" VIDEO
by The Learning Station (Activity 14)
"Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K448, II. Andante" VIDEO
by Mozart (Activity 20)
"ABC (The Alphabet Song" VIDEO
by Dora the Explorer
Monthly Materials List
Click Here to view the list!
Fingerplay / Poems / Songs
Select one poem for child to memorize this month and recite it at bedtime plus one song/fingerplay to learn. Here are two examples:
My NAME Song
(Activity 25 Month 1 - Sung to tune of BINGO)
There was a family had a child
and Carly (insert child's name) was her name.
C - A - R - L - Y C - A - R - L - Y C - A - R - L - Y (spell child's name)
And Carly (insert child's name) was her name
Kind To Others
(Activity 13 Month 1 - Fingerplay)
5 little children
Standing in a row ( hold up 5 fingers)
They are kind to others
Everywhere they go. (walk hand in front of body)
I am one of the children (point to self)
Standing in a row (hold up 5 fingers)
I'll be kind to others (point to self)
Wherever I go. (walk hand in front of body)
(This fingerplay works as a reminder to a child to be kind in any situation- without saying a word. Just walk hand in front of body to silently signal a child to remember to be kind or use actual sign language for the word kind.)