Once my kids were beginning to show interest and ability in sounding out words and recognizing the print around her, I read up on it too and find the early reading activities that will be a perfect match for her personality. If you are starting out in teaching a child to read, this ultimate guide to early reading resources and activities is essential.
General Early Reading Tips for Parents and Educators
It helps to know what other parents and educators do to help encourage literacy during the early reading stages. Here are some tips from others to help you get your bearings.
- Normal Stages of Reading with Infants and Toddlers from Line upon Line Learning (that's me!)
- Early Reading Activities and Tips from Sue at One Time Through
- Meaningful Literacy for Early Readers from Not Just Cute
- Why Don't You Teach Reading?: A Look at Emergent Literacy from Not Just Cute
- Tips and Tricks for Teaching Emergent Readers from Anna on Teach Mama
- 6 Tips for Teaching Early Readers from Cindy at Our Journey Westward
- Why I Don't Push My Kids to Read Early and What I Do Instead from Colleen at Raising Lifelong Learners
- How to Support a Beginning Reader from Jodie on Childhood 101
Phonemic Awareness Early Reading Activities and Tips
Before a child is quite ready to sound out words and memorize sight words, we need to make sure they have some strong phonemic awareness. Here are some fun early reading activities and resources to help establish a phonemic foundation for reading.
- "Dusty" Rhyming: A Picture-Book Inspired Game from Line upon Line Learning (that's me!)
- Compound Words Activities from Line upon Line Learning (that's me!)
- Practice Recognizing Short Vowel Sounds with an Autumn Game from Line upon Line Learning (that's me!)
- Developing Early Reading Skills for Preschoolers from Carla at Preschool Powol Packets
- Picture Walk Preview for Early Readers from Devany at Still Playing School
- Early Reading -- Compound Words from Carrots are Orange
- Reading Readiness Checklist from Becky at This Reading Mama
- Five Things Kids Need Before They're Ready to Sound Out Words from Anna at the Measured Mom
Early Readers: Printable Booklets
Of course, we get tons of books to read from the library and bookstore. Here are some lists of free printable readers as well as round-ups of favorite early readers to check out.
- Free Baseball-themed Early Reader from Line upon Line Learning (that's me!)
- 10 Phonics Readers for Early Readers from This Reading Mama (See also her Bob's Books printables!)
- Free Emergent Reader Sight Word books from The Measured Mom
- Great Gifts for Early Readers from Alex at the Kindergarten Connection
- Easy Reader Books that Actually Are Easy from What Do We Do All Day?
- Book List for Beginning Readers from What do We Do all Day?
CVC Early Reading Activities and Tips
Since my daughter knows the first sounds for all of the alphabet, CVC words are great early reading steps for her. She feels proud and confident when she sounds out a word using the sounds she's learned. Here are some additional fun activities relating to CVC words.
- Flower-Themed Word Family Picture Sort from Line upon Line Learning (that's me!)
- Early Reading CVC Centers from Line upon Line Learning (that's me!)
- Practice Reading and Spelling with Word Ladders from Line upon Line Learning (that's me!)
- Silly CVC Sentences from Line upon Line Learning (that's me)
- Phonics Blocks Early Reading Activity from Kids Activities Blog
- CVC Spelling Tray from Nadia at the Kindergarten Connection
- CVC Word Balloons from Vivianna at Totschooling
- Build CVC Words with Blocks from Nadia at Teach Me Mommy
- Caterpillar Word Family Activity from Danielle at Mom Inspired Life
- Easter Egg CVC Word Game from Vicky at Mess for Less
- Plant CVC Words from Nicola at the Kindergarten Connection
- CVC Blending Words Carrot Patch from School Time Snippets
- CVC Alphabet Cracker Activity from Kate at Kitchen Floor Crafts
Sight Word Early Reading Activities
Sight words are those that come up time and again. My daughter has shown me that she remembers the most familiar sight words already. Here are some sight-word specific activities and games for reinforcing sight word learning.
- Sight Words with Letter Tiles from Line upon Line Learning (that's me!)
- Muffin Tin Reading Games from Jodie at Growing Book by Book
- Sight Word Snowball Toss from Jodie at Growing Book by Book
- Shark Sight Words from Jodie at Growing Book by Book
- DIY Word Wall for Early Readers from Heidi at Starts at Eight
- Kinetic Beach Ball Sight Word Activity from Rachel at Kids Activity Blog
- Sight Word Crayon Rubbing Activity from School Time Snippets
- Sight Word STEM Building Activity from Coffee Cups and Crayons
- Roll a Sight Word from I Can Teach My Child
- I Think I CAN Sight Words from Still Playing School
- Sight Word Basketball from Coffee Cups and Crayons
- Squirt the Sight Word from The Educator's Spin on It
- Cup Crash Gross Motor Sight Word Activity from Coffee Cups and Crayons
- Popsicle Stick Sight Word Puzzles from Becky at This Reading Mama
- Rocket to the Moon Sight Words Game from Jodie at Growing Book by Book
- Flower Sight Word Writing from Coffee Cups and Crayons
Other Early Reading Ideas
These early reading activities can be adapted to any words (CVC or otherwise) to practice reading. I can't wait to get moving with my little one and see her delight at reading continue to flourish!
- Double Gross Motor Early Reading Egg Hunt from Line upon Line Learning (that's me!)
- Learning to Read with Dr. Seuss from Karyn at Teach Beside Me
- Hands-On Activities for Beginning Readers from Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls
- Reading Hopscotch from Karyn at Teach Beside Me
- Word Family Bottle Caps Game from Chrissy at Kids Activities Blog
- Apple-Themed Sight Word and CVC Word Activity from There's Just One Mommy
It seems like this ultimate list should provide kindergarten literacy centers for an entire year, as your kindergartners progress along the reading path. What are your favorite activities to do with early readers?
