Reading & Photos Fit Together

Literacy is personal. Children use their connections to learn to read and form a love of reading. What could be more personal than using photographs to aid children in the process of learning? Here are some ways pictures could be used to learn:

1. Display a picture of each family member with their name below, beside or on it. It'll promote conversation. "M says /m/ for Mommy." "Yes, Daddy begins with a D." "You have an O in your name and so do I!" You could post this on the fridge, in your child's room, or in a coloring area.

2. Make magnets with your family members' pictures on them. You could also make magnets of pictures of places you visit often. Include the name of the person and place on the magnets. It will be fun for the children to move the people's magnets from place to place.

Sites like Shutterfly allow you to make easy sets of 4 magnets. They often have free offers too. 

3. Make a simple photo album. Looking at the pictures and telling stories will provide endless entertainment and connections.

4. When you print pictures or receive pictures that you just want to display on the fridge, write the people's names on the back of them. When your children handle them, they may flip them over to read their names.

Who wouldn't love to read about the ones they love? Do you have more ideas? Let's help each other. Comment below with more ideas.