Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Learning · The activity desk
Roll and read together
Roll a large soft ball and explore familiar written words together.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
A large child-appropriate soft ball, paper, and a large child-appropriate crayon.
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: An adult writes two familiar short words on a sheet and places it beside a clear floor space.
Adult's role: Sit with the child, read words aloud when helpful, and let the child point or listen.
Let's make it happen
- Sit facing each other and gently roll the ball back and forth.
- After a roll, point to one word and read it together or listen to the adult read it.
- Choose the other word on the next turn and continue while it is fun.
Make it simpler: Use one familiar word and roll the ball once together.
Clean up: Put away the ball and crayon and recycle or save the paper.
Use a ball too large to fit in a child's mouth and keep the floor clear.