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Evie’s Desk: Free Early Literacy Activities

September 8, 2008
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A common mistake for parents is to assume that home is only a place for kids to eat, sleep, play and be loved. But First 5 LA and many of our grantees are working to change that misperception by encouraging each parent to embrace the idea that they are their child's first teacher. And as teachers, they should take advantage of every opportunity to infuse in their children a joy of learning.

To help parents and caregivers bring early education into everyday life, Washington Learning Systems, a small Seattle-based company, offers free, downloadable "activity sheets" titled "on the go." The sheets are appropriate for children with disabilities as well as children who are developing at what is considered a normal pace. They provide 46 home and community activities that encourage early language and literacy development while parents or caregivers and children are going about daily activities. The activity sheets also include the following:
  • An activity description
  • Hints for making the activity fun and developmentally appropriate
  • A brief self-evaluation form that cues parents and other caregivers to notice their children's skills, and also cue adults to examine and grow their own interactions with children.
The materials also address three key skills:
  • Language development
  • Phonological awareness
  • General print awareness.

Click here to go to the Washington Learning Systems site and then go to "Free Education Parent Handouts."

Evelyn V. Martinez
Executive Director
First 5 LA

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