My daughter just finished her first early chapter book last week! Her reading skills have really progressed in the past couple of months. But there are a few sounds and letter combinations that give her trouble, so I changed up our usual reading practice and used her favorite subject, art, to help her remember.
Not only does this activity help her practice sight words, it creates a beautiful piece of art that we like to display. Then when she passes by, I’ll have her say a word or 2. It really makes them stick!
Painting Secret Messages
No doubt you’ve seen this technique before. It’s just crayon resist art, but Audrey thought it was magic when I told her there were secret words all over the paper.
If your child is at the right angle, like my little Emma was, they can see all the letters and it’s not as special for them. So make sure you get down to their level and check to see if the secret words are being revealed by the light.
To do the activity, pick your child’s sight or reading words and write them all over the paper in white crayon. Do this ahead of time without telling them and it will be an even bigger surprise. Then have your child paint over the paper with water colors, trying to find the words. If it is a surprise, just have them paint normally and the words will start showing up.
You could incorporate a theme into the painting too. For example, since it is going to be Valentine’s Day soon I could use Valentine themed words and have Audrey paint hearts. You could even print off a themed coloring sheet and put write the words right into the picture. It would be fun to do one of these paintings for each holiday. I just love 2-for-1 activities (craft & learning). Don’t you?
Don’t forget that review is so important! So, display the painting in a prominent place and have your child practice reading the “secret messages”. It really improves reading skills, but also boosts your child’s confidence and inspires a love for creating and trying new things.
I just love hearing my daughters race to Daddy and pull him to show off their creations and practice reading their words for him.
How do you get your child to practice reading their sight words?
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This is too cool! I AHEV yet to see this idea before around the blogosphere? … Thank you so very much for sharing this fantastic idea. Yes, I LOVE 2-4-1 kids activities! Especially since I am with Preschooler. Something about that age seems to come with so much ‘waste’ of paper, space on paper, construction paper, or all supplies LOL etc… I keep all the old art work, scraps, & create craft/lessons at home with those–I am always looking to save a dollar or recycle to re-use! Thank you! Found your blog through your comment on another blogger on Google Plus: see ya around 😀 thx
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Great idea! Congratulation! I will try it whit my preschools.
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What a fun way to practice sight word recognition!