Early Lit Bits: Learning with Crafts — Learning with Each Step

Learning with Each Step

Many people have at least one set of stairs in their home, either leading from the main floor to the second story, or leading down into the basement. Turn trips up and down the stairs into a fun learning experience for children by making simple signs for the risers on a staircase. If you don’t have a staircase in your home, try sticking these signs to the floor in a row so that children are able to step or hop from one sign to the next.

Materials

Thick paper / cardboard from a cereal box
Removable adhesive strips or painter’s tape
Markers

Directions

Cut the paper or cardboard into a shape that will fit onto the risers of your staircase. Write one letter on each sign with a marker to spell out a child’s name. Fix one sign to each riser with removable adhesive strips or painter’s tape so that as children ascend the staircase, they can say each letter on the riser to spell out the name.

Other Ideas

Make a sign for each riser to teach children the days of the week (one sign per day), the months of the calendar year, numbers or the letters of the alphabet.

–Anjie G. at KDL’s Walker Branch

 

 

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.