Keeping track of your accomplishments is tough for a lot of adults. That’s where a diary or journal comes in so handy. The same is true for your emerging reader. When he builds his own Alphabet Journal, he not only has a reference point to remind him of letter sounds, but he also has a record of all that he has already achieved. It becomes a springboard for more learning.
The Right Journal. Help your child choose the right journal. Don’t get one that has pages that she can easily tear out. A sturdy book with hard cover works best for this project. There are many different types available. If possible, allow your child to choose the cover. A book with 50 to 100 pages works best.
Split the Book
Create 26 “chapters” with page tabs. If you need to save space, try giving “Q,” “X,” and “Z” shorter sections. Make sure that they have at least one page. Most other letters should have two pages or more.
Start at the Beginning
Starting with the beginning of the book, introduce your child to each letter. Write the letter and give your child the chance to trace and then write the letter next to your printing. Discuss the sound or sounds the letter makes.
Cut and Paste
Go through magazines, newspapers and mail circulars to find pictures that begin with the letter sound. For example: the letter “A” might have pictures of apples from the local grocery store or a shot of an airplane from a magazine ad. Glue the pictures onto the pages with the correct letter.
Fill the Book
Continue to fill out the book, each day adding a new letter. Before you cut and paste a new page, go through each letter and make the sounds that are shown on the page. This helps match the sounds to the letters.
Keep the book available
As your child begins to sound out words, keep their journal handy. If she forgets the sound a particular letter makes, ask her to look in her journal. A quick glance will remind her which sound each letter makes. Not only does this book give children a hands-on activity for learning letter sounds, but it also gives them a chance to practice writing and cutting with scissors. Both of these are critical pre-school skills.