Cut out letters and words from magazines and books and have your child make words and sentences. You can also find letters and words in magnetic form at parent/teacher stores (there is one in Latham by the Latham Circle Mall) . Put them on the refrigerator and have your child practice while you're in the kitchen.
Go from simple words and sentences to longer ones.
Make descriptive sentences. For example, I see a cat. I see a big cat. I see a big, black cat. I see a big, black cat run fast!
Make word families. For example, an, ban, can, Dan, fan, man, Nan, pan, ran, tan, van.
Make lists of opposites, rhyming words, etc.
Stress beginning and ending sounds. Make up phrases. For example, big blue bug, pretty pink paper, funny fat frog.
Find words with the same vowel sounds. For example, hot, stock, pop, not.
Play Guess My Word. You say the onset and rime /h/ /-at/ your child guesses hat. Do the opposite, you say hat your child guesses the onset and rime /h/ /-at/. Or you say each sound/h/ /a/ /t/ and your child blends the sounds together and guesses hat. Do the opposite of this too.
Glue a picture or sticker on a piece of writing paper and ask your child to write a sentence about it. As they get better, ask them to write a paragraph or story.
Have fun with words and sounds and help your child learn to love reading. Look for words on signs, in books, in the grocery store. Have your child make a grocery list for you, write down things in the kitchen, things in their rooms, etc.
There is a direct correlation between reading and writing, so have your child read and write a lot at home, but make it fun.
I would also recommend having lots of paper and pencils available at home. It is a good idea to have a whiteboard or chalkboard so children can "play school" and learn while they play. Buy puzzle books, word search books and easy crossword puzzles. Get discarded library books or garage sale books that children can use to cut up and find words. Encourage them to make books and illustrate their stories.
If possible, invest in a pocket chart. Normally, around October, they have them for .30 cents at Target! This is a chart with clear pockets that you can hang up. It is great for putting words or sentences in any kind of order and can be easily adapted for different uses. Get a package of blank index cards and put words on them in different colors. Children have a lot of fun with these.
Have FUN at home! :) Also, please do not hesitate to contact me for additional activities.
In summation, the more you surround your child with words and books, the more comfortable they will become with reading and writing. Every parent wants their child to enjoy reading and the easier it is for them, the more they will want to do it. With the pressure of today's standards, the more essential it is that children get a solid foundation in language arts to ensure future success in school and in life.