Simon Says Read!
Simon Says Read!
What you need:
A picture book for each player
What you do:
1. Play Simon Says with a twist. Start as usual. Say, "Simon says put your hands on your hips" and do it. Wait for your child to follow. Say and do a few more actions -- clap hands, touch toes, and so on.
2. Now say, "Simon says pick up a book." Wait for your child to follow. Then go from cover to cover, as readers do, adding a few silly mistakes he can catch:
"Simon says hold the book upside down -- oops!"
"Simon says now hold it the right way."
"Simon says point to the title...open the cover...turn the page."
"Simon says point to the picture...point to a word...point to where you start to read."
"Simon says turn the next page -- oops, wrong way!"
"Simon says close the book -- the end!"
3. Let your child be Simon and tell you how to read a book.
Why it works:
Your child becomes aware of how books and print "work."