Early Lit Bits: Learning with Crafts — Fishing for Letters

Fishing for Letters

Now that the weather is warming up, it’s time to take early literacy activities outdoors. Here’s a simple activity to make pool time fun and educational this summer.

Materials:

Child’s plastic pool or large basin or bucket
Water (optional)
Plastic magnetic letters
Child’s fishing rod with no hook on it (or a short piece of string tied to a stick)
Large metal washer
Basket or bowl

Directions:

Tie the large metal washer to the end of the fishing pole string, making sure that the washer is secure. Fill the pool or basin with water and throw the magnetic letters into the pool.

To Use:

“Fish” for magnetic letters with the fishing pole. As a child catches each letter, say the name of the letter and make the sounds that the letter makes. Ask older children to think of a word that starts with the letter they have caught. Try catching magnetic numbers too!

Other Ideas:

Give children real fishing poles (child sized) with the hooks removed. Tie small, soft objects to the end of the lines and have children practice casting out and reeling the line in. Take children fishing! Try local parks with small, well-stocked ponds and playgrounds nearby. Talk about different types of fish and check out a book about fish from your local library.

 

 

This article originally appeared in our Early Lit Bits eNewsletter. Read the most recent issue online or sign up to receive this monthly update highlighting early literacy tips and resources for parents and caregivers.