A Technique for Early Reading: Skywriting

For ages: 3 months - kindergarten

This all started with laziness when Erik was an infant, just a few months old. Erik wasn’t a good sleeper and he co-slept in our bed. So in the morning, I was super sleepy after waking up so many times to feed and soothe him back to sleep. To buy myself extra horizontal time with my eyes closed, I’d make shapes with my hands while we both laid on our backs and looked up at the ceiling. Now, I know this sounds dumb, but I really believe that this planted the seed for him. He watched intently as I used my hands to make very basic shapes, like circles and triangles. I made letter shapes like L and T. I slowly counted my fingers up and down. He was fascinated by the movement and the changing scenes. I believe he was seeing patterns, the fundamentals of math.

This basic movement of fingers in the air evolved as Erik got older into something that I’ve heard called “skywriting” in education. By age 1, I was using my index finger to trace ABCs in the air and speaking them aloud as Erik watched. I did not know at the time that this type of skywriting technique is actually taught and used in kindergarten classes. Another time I traced letters was during playtime in our backyard sandbox. He was reading “to”, “the”, and other 2-letter and 3-letter words by age 1 ½.

By age 2 ½, I really noticed that it made an impression because Erik could read. He was reading 3-letter and 4-letter words. Also something peculiar was his index finger, it was constantly drawing/tracing letters in the air. He did it while he talked. I have pictures of him skywriting while drinking a juice box at Disneyland!

A Tool for Early Reading: Whiteboard

For ages: 3+

Board Dudes Double Sided Dry Erase Lapboard - 9 x 12 Inches (11060-6)

A whiteboard is a great tool for kids to doodle and practice writing. Two sided, one blank and one lined. Easy to hold on the lap. Sturdy surface. Fun to have during car rides. No need to turn pages for a fresh sheet. Use a small rag/washcloth to erase. Encourage a proper grip and strokes. Make sure your child knows to write on the board only!

Our favorite whiteboard activities:

1) Take turns drawing on (adding to) the same picture.

2) Fill in missing letters in words, i.e. "b_ok" and draw a book as a hint.

3) Fill in missing numbers in a number sequence or pattern, i.e. "1 _ 3 4"

4) Create "Mad-Libs" style silly stories, i.e. "Today was ___. I had fun ___."

5) Write words seen during a car ride, i.e. "STOP"

6) Write a note to someone, i.e. "Dear Daddy, I love you!"

SHOP @ the Early Reading Resources Store

Welcome!

I'm so glad to share with you! Here is where I offer up everything I know and believe with regard to early reading for your consideration.

I have been asked so many times "how" and "why" my 5-year old son Erik is an early reader. Until last month, I honestly thought that it was a gift, an inherent skill. I never thought that I did anything special in raising him. But after thinking about it more deeply, I remembered more and more deliberate things, techniques I used which really might have helped him to develop this ability.

My purpose is to share these things so others might benefit. And, I want to document them for myself before I forget and so I can easily remember since we have a new little one due this Summer 2011 :-) 

Please comment freely with your own thoughts, criticisms, etc. 

Thank you!

- Lily