Write the First Letter
Here's What To Do
Encourage and support your child’s writing throughout the day, and during play.
Help them to identify the first sound, then write the corresponding letter to represent that word.
For example, they can help you write your to-do list, make a menu for a pretend restaurant or real family meals, write a letter to someone, or pretend to be a vet writing recommendations for the family pet.
Highlight your writing throughout the day to help them get excited about writing too!
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Help your child get excited about writing by allowing them to choose writing materials and paper they like. Then, place them in a location that is easily accessible for them.
Engage:
- “Can you help me to write the menu for what we will eat for dinner this week?”
- “We will eat salad today. What sound do you hear at the beginning of s-s-salad? What letter makes the ‘s’ sound?”
Encourage:
- Focus on words beginning with consonants or vowels without blends like “br” or “ch.”
- Emphasize the beginning sound as you say the word, then help your child to identify the corresponding letter.
Reflect:
- “What else could we write down?”
Not quite ready?
Encourage your child’s scribbling and use of random letters to represent words. Throughout the day, highlight how you write the beginning sound of a word to introduce them to this idea.
Ready for more?
Encourage your child to listen for other sounds in the word, and write the corresponding letters.
As your child masters this skill...
They wlll explore invented spelling.