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G and Y

Developing finger dexterity while practicing sound/letter recognition

Month 6 · Activity 4 ·   Letters  

Instructions

  • Gather 12 pinch wooden clothespins
  • With a permanent marker and using all of the following letters,  write one of the letters on each clothespin
  • G, Y, O, U, D, M, C, R, B, F, A, E
  • Place a small tree branch in a vase (or use the edge of a bucket or box)
  • Next, say a letter sound and let the child find the clothespin that makes that sound and clip to the tree branch
  • Repeat for all letter sounds so the 12 clothespins will be attached to the branch
  • Now, say a letter name and the child finds the correct clothespin on the branch to remove
  • Repeat, saying letter names until all the clothespins are removed
  • Watch this video to learn the sound of "G"

Simplify

Group the clothespins with the letters into smaller groups for a child to find. For example, place letters G, Y, and O in front of the child for letter sounds and ask him to find the clothespin that makes the "G" sound and clip to the branch.  Repeat for the "Y" sound and finally the "O" sound.  

Next, place U, D, M, and C in a group and ask the child to find and place on the branch the letter name when told to find that letter.  In the last group place  R, B, F, A, and E for them to select when they hear the letter sound and place the correct clothespin on the tree.

If the activity becomes too long for the child, break it into 3 different time periods over a day or week.

Opening and clipping a clothespin is a wonderful finger dexterity skill for holding pencils and crayons.  If this is difficult, have a child hand to you the selected clothespin and together pinch the clothespin open and add to the branch.

Extend

Place the clothespins in a bucket. Let child say aloud "Sound" or "Name" and then the child picks a clothespin from the bucket. If the child said "Sound", he makes the sound of the letter.  If the child said "Name", he says the name of the letter. 

QUESTIONS FOR CHILD

Is it easy or hard for you to remember the names of the alphabet letter? Why do you feel that way?

Name something that is easy for you to do.

Materials

  • Language Skills
  • Motor Skills
  • Problem Solving Skills