Is your child learning to read?
Here are six simple and fun ways to teach sight words to your child.
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Reading. I have always loved to read. I could start and finish a 500 page book in one day. (but I would be a zombie the next day though!)
So it came as a surprise to me when our oldest daughter B declared she does not like to read. In hindsight I see now that it was just a struggle for her to learn to read. If it doesn’t come easy to her, she doesn’t like to put in the effort. (this is partly because of her learning style)
After the initial shock wore off, I researched different ways to teach sight words and came up with some fun ideas that Miss B loved (and thrived on!) even her little sister loves these activities!
1. Sight Word Monster
I found this fun sight word monster idea here. Basically you create a monster out of an old cereal box. I let Miss B decorate hers however she wanted. Then I created an opening in the front for the “mouth” and one in the back to grab the sight word cards from.
She loves it!
We play a game where she feeds her monster as fast as she can. But the monster can only eat when she correctly reads the sight word!
2. Sight Word Caterpillar
This is simple. Create a sight word caterpillar by cutting circles out of construction paper, writing the sight words on the circles, and hanging it up somewhere your child can see. This puts the sight words in view on a daily basis, helping to reinforce them.
3. Write in Sprinkles
Grab a cookie sheet and a jar of sprinkles. Toss the sprinkles in the cookie sheet and let your kid loose! Ask them to write different sight words or hand them a card that has a sight word on it that they can write using their finger. Repetition is your child’s best friend!
4. Popsicle Sticks
I just came up with this idea on a whim. I wrote sight words on a popsicle stick and stuck them in a jar. Miss B pulls out a popsicle stick and reads the word to me. If she gets it correct, she is able to keep the stick. If she doesn’t she puts it back and tries again. This helps me figure out which words she is struggling with and may need a little more practice working on.
5. Pencil Box Sight Words
Grab some foam letters and write sight words on popsicle sticks. You can buy foam letters on Amazon here. Put your foam letters and popsicle sticks into a pencil box. Your child can then use the foam letters to spell out the sight words. Simple and fun!
6. Sensory Bin and foam letters
This one is similar to the pencil box. But instead of a pencil box you get to use a sensory bin of rice! We use colored rice (read how to dye rice here!) hide the letters in the rice, and then Miss B digs out the letters that spell a sight word. Miss S even joined in with her numbers!
If you need fun ideas for sensory bins check out these!
There you have it. Simple and fun ways to teach sight words to your child! Let me know below if you try one of these activities or a different one that you love!
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Hi there, I’m Jenna! I am a devoted mommy and wife. As well as an advocate for children and creating a peaceful atmosphere for those we love. I co-wrote Faith Actually: Living Life After Tragedy with my husband. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies and currently working toward my Master’s in Positive Psychology. My number one desire is to create a peaceful home life for my family. My second desire is to share with you the tips I learn along the way!