Alphabet Park: A story teaching children how to read.

Alphabet ParkThis story is designed to teach children the basics of reading; so, they will learn to read, and then “read to learn”. This storybook teaches:•the alphabet•what an alphabet lowercase letter sounds like; (Capitals come later)•that sounds of letters make words and words are things•nouns are names of something•how to use imagination•communication skills•about feelings and values•developmental movement activities•starting to write the lowercase letter sounds (phonetic letter sounds)•starting to write Dolch pre-primer Sight Words (the whole-word approach)Each page has a story about a letter of the alphabet; then there is either a question about the story, or a movement activity; children are asked to write the sound of the alphabet letter, and finally pre-primer Dolch words.The Alphabet Park story teaches preschool children the sounds of the alphabet; that each letter has different sounds; those sounds make words; the beginning of phonetics; and the Whole Word method of reading. When reading the story to preschool children follow this method: •you can choose to just read the story, or read the story and choose to answer any, or all the questions for child/teacher interaction•always do the movement activities to stimulate the senses and keep preschool children focused•after reading the story about six times and the children are familiar with the story, introduce the “Lesson” part of the story.•have children start pronouncing the lowercase alphabet sound first; then words from the Dolch list at the end of this book.•create a Word Wall with the lowercase alphabet letter sound and corresponding picture. letters should be in large print – 2 inches or larger.•label parts of your environment with words i.e. table, window, chair etc.Just imagine a child who is self-confident, has morals and values; good self-esteem; good thinking skills; well developed senses and awareness; artistic; creative; responsible; able to socialize; able to read, write and communicate ideas; what a fantastic foundation for the successful child to have. The author believes children should learn to read at an early preschool age, but in a fun, play based and interactive way.