Topic “Reading”

Match objects to pictures to symbols

Activity/strategy name and materials required	How to do the activity	Key principles for doing the activity and comments
Object to picture matching Set of picture cards representing everyday objects. Objects to match the things on the cards. For the picture cards, you could use photos, or create using symbols	1. Start with the child's most familiar/favoured objects. Choose 2 and the two matching pictures. Match the object to the picture and say 'Look........sock/pen/flower it's the same' 2. Can the child put the object on a picture given 2 pictures and 2 objects. 3. Reward any success. 4. Start to increase the number of objects and pictures to 3 then 4 but go slowly. 5. Play a game by putting out 3 cards face down and 3 matching objects . Take it in turns to turn over a card and select the matching object 6. Use a puppet and see if the child can help the puppet match objects and cards. 7. Get a selection of cards of things in the room can you walk around with the child and find objects to match the cards Reward!	Keep rewarding Give enough time Focus attention using one or two words only Stop while the going is still good Have fun!

Activity/strategy name and materials required	How to do the activity	Key principles for doing the activity and comments
Books with pictures Picture books	1. Get 2 simple books with clear pictures. Or choose flap or pop-up books. Offer the child a choice. The book the child reaches for or looks at is considered the child's choice. 2. Get comfortable with the child and look at the first picture. Use lots of animation in your voice and lift the flap or move the pop-up feature or point to an item on the page and name it at the one word level e.g. 'Look...........apple!' or 'Look...........monkey'. 3. The child may not want to continue very long with this ......a few minutes attention is OK. Finish the activity on a good note even if you have only liked at one or two pictures.	Keep the experience short and snappy Use simple language to label pictures - 1 or 2 words at the most Repeat, repeat, repeat!
Picture cards	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.
Family photos Ask parent for family photos from home	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.

Activity/strategy name and materials required	How to do the activity	Key principles for doing the activity and comments
Choosing a book Two different attractive books	1. Hold the two books for the child to choose from where the child can see but a distance apart - it is easier to make a choice if objects are not too close. 2. If necessary help the child to choose by following the child's eye gaze and then guiding their hand to that book. Say 'You want this one.'	Give the child enough time to make a choice, be pleased with what ever choice is made! If the child finds choosing difficult simplify the choice by offering an attractive book and a not attractive book. It can be hard to choose between two desirable items.
Sharing books with an adult A chosen book Somewhere comfortable and pleasant to read together	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.	A reading session may be short - it is better to have a short focused and enjoyable reading time than a longer one where the child gets bored.

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