Letter D

Arielle (mommy):

Introducing D:  I introduced D as usual using picture and letter cards.  This time I had Lil guess some of the words she thought might be on the words.  Lil and O both really liked making the D sound as we talked about each picture.  We also read some dinosaur books to help engage both of them.  

Writing D:  I had Lil use the dot painters to practice writing the letter D.  

D craft: I had Lil choose between making a D shaped dinosaur, dog, or duck, and she chose the duck.  I cut out the pieces and she put it together and added the details.  There are several Ds on the duck.

Every week I take the kids to an early childhood program called play and learn.  We did some awesome dinosaur activities.

D is for Dinosaur: engaging activities to incorporate all subject areas into teaching the letter D through a dinosaur theme.  

Math: Sort dinosaurs.  You can buy the colored dinosaurs at learning stores. And use a muffin tin with colored circles at the bottom.  Kids can also count the dinosaurs and make patterns with them.

Science:  Dig for dinosaur bones.  Discuss science tools and what they are used for and the different science jobs, the. Let the kids be scientists as they use paintbrushes and shovels to dig up "dinosaur bones."

Literacy:  Read dinosaur books such as; How do Dinosaurs... (Eat Their Food, Go To School, etc), The Day Dinosaurs Came With Everything, Dinosaurs Don't Wear Underpants.  These are all very fun.

Fine motor:  Lace shoe laces through dinosaur lacing cards.  You can make your own by printing these from Activity Village, printing on card stock (possibly laminating) cutting out, and punching holes.

Art:  Make macaroni dinosaur skeletons.  (You can print dinosaur coloring pages here at Family Fun Cartoons).  Make dinosaur or fossil rubbings or stencils.

Sensory play:  Make dinosaur footprints in play doh.

Dramatic play:  Pretend to be dinosaurs, or play with dinosaur toys.

Gross Motor:  Walk like dinosaurs.  Do dinosaur dances (The Big Green Rabbit has dinosaur dances and tons of other fun dinosaur activities).

Guru moment: Using themes your child is especially excited about is a great way to get them motivated to learn!

Cynthia (nanny): We spent a fun day at Seaworld so the girls and I had just enough time to do one letter D activity "D is for dancing!"