Daily Routines

Place a check in the box next to the activities that you already do. You may check as many activities as you need. Literacy occurs in the everyday routine activities of life.

Playtime:

  • Describe toys: talk about their colors, textures and special features.
  • Read storybooks.
  • Ask your child to pick up toys by describing them. For instance, ask "Jose, please pick up the toy that has four blue wheels."

Getting Dressed:

  • Label and describe clothes: talk about color, style and textures.

Writing:

  • Provide a special place for writing and art activities.
  • When your child draws a picture, you encourage her to write a sentence or story to tell about the picture.
  • Encourage your child to write notes to relatives or friends.
  • Collect old magazines for children to cut pictures or familiar words out of.
  • Leave notes for your child, even if he can't read them yet. Ideas: Thank you; Good Morning; I Love You.

Bathtime:

  • Label and describe the activities of bath time: slippery soap, warm water, bubbles.
  • Use new words every night as you talk with your child.
  • Sing songs during bathtime.
  • Tell stories to your child.

Watching Television:

  • Watch children's videos or television together.
  • Discuss the characters and their actions.

Mealtime:

  • Talk about the foods you are preparing and the color, texture, smell and taste.
  • Talk about how small you are cutting the pieces and how you are cooking the food.
  • Describe how to set the table, and demonstrate how to say "please" and "thank you" while sharing food at the table.
  • Leave notes in your child's lunchbox or school bag.
  • Cook and bake with your child.
  • Browse cookbooks together and choose a recipe you both like.
  • When you need a grocery list, make one together.
  • Create recipes of your own and write them down.

Print All Around You:

  • Read traffic, street and local business signs.
  • Read placemats, menus, pamphlets and posters.
  • Read cereal boxes, toy packages, and game instructions.
  • Browse through catalogs, magazines, and newspapers.
  • Teach the letters of the alphabet through the print in the environment.
  • Collect words your child can read in a notebook or on 3-by-5-inch note cards.