Homeschool World Forum

I was just wondering if anyone "labeled" items in your home for your pre-readers to "read". My dd is only 3 1/2, but I'm wondering if it would be helpful for her to see the names of things in written form.

I have considered doing the same thing. I think it is a good idea...helps with realizing that everything has a word to represent it. One of the good things I picked up from my education as an educator! I just have to get down to business and do it. My DD is 3 1/2 also.

I just wanted to add that we label alot of things in our house, it actually started off as a way for Daddy to help with cleanup since I have unofficial OCD(not really) about tidyness when the day is done, but she (just barely3) has learned the simple regonition of "doll" "house" and "Food"

I thought it was pretty cool myself.

Using cards to read through context is an excellent way to get kids to place words in their proper context.

If you're just starting, choose 6 easy to recognize objects around the house like the door, bed, lamp, etc. and place cards with these words written on them in caps on the object.
Keep them for a week.
Point out the cards and read the words out aloud to help her identify the objects.
At the end of the week, remove all the cards, write down the names on a sheet of paper, and ask your child to match the cards with the word on the sheet.

You can increase the difficulty of the words as she goes along.

Something like this can also be used to teach kids a new language if they're ready for it, or if you want to introduce them to a new one.

We never did it and my child learned to read just fine, but I don't think it could hurt anything.