Write A How-To Book
Here's What To Do
1
Make a mini book with 4 pages. Staple it together.
2
Ask your child to think of a daily task they know how to do well, like washing their hands or taking a bath. Ask them to explain how they perform this task in 3-4 steps.
3
Write their words down, one step on each page. Ask your child to draw a picture to represent each step.
4
Read your child's how-to book together.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Smile and say “let’s use your knowledge to make a how-to book.”
E
Engage:
- "What is the first step? What comes next? Then what? What is the final step?"
- "What do you think would be a good picture for the words "turn on the water?"
E
Encourage:
- If your child forgets part of a task, gently remind them. Like: "Hmmm, what do you usually put on your hands to make them clean?"
- "Together we wrote your ideas down into a book! You are a super writer!"
R
Reflect:
- Did your child enjoy writing a book?
Not quite ready?
Make drawings of a task, and invite your child to join in. Explain what you're trying to show in each picture.
Ready for more?
Encourage your child to make a how-to book with more detailed descriptions and pictures. Ask them to help write some of the letters or words.
As your child masters this skill...
They will be able to create informational writing with an adult's help.