Blogging A to Z: Underline
Today’s early literacy tip is an easy one! Use your finger to underline words as you read them. It doesn’t have to be every line of text, just pick out a word or two to underline. This helps kids realize that the illustrations connect with the text. It’s easy to find one word to highlight when you see it.
For example, if you’re reading Dinosaur vs. Bedtime, maybe you would underline the word dinosaur. Then ask your child what letter the word dinosaur starts with. Maybe you take a minute to ask if your child can think of any other words that start with “D”. Or if they can find the letter “D” somewhere else on the page.
Another easy task is to ask your child to find the first letter of their name on the page. Kids can usually begin to identify that letter fairly early because it’s important to them.
At this point, kids begin to understand that the words on the page correlate to the illustrations (usually). And that all of those squiggles have names and sounds attached to them. And finally, when you put them together they make words!
A list full of fun books that you can use to find a word or two to underline as you read the story!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Book List #21 – Underline
- Boxitects by Kim Smith
Meg and Simone are both awesome builders, but can they put aside their differences to work together? - Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea
Nothing can stop Dinosaur, until maybe… bedtime! - Find Fergus by Mike Boldt
Fergus might be awful at playing hide-and-seek, but maybe you can help him learn how to hide better? - First Snow by Bomi Park
A little girl experiences the magic of the first snow day! - Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang
Jim the chimpanzee is grumpy and his friends can’t understand why! - Kate, Who Tamed the Wind by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Lee White
Kate has an environmentally friendly solution to the wild wind on the top of the hill! - Library Babies by Violet Lemay, illustrations by Puck
These babies love their library! - Potato Pants! by Laurie Keller
For one day only, Lance Vance’s Fancy Pants store is having a sale on POTATO PANTS! - Saturday by Oge Mora
Saturdays are for mom and daughter to spend together, but every thing that can go wrong does, will it ruin their day? - This House, Once by Deborah Freedman
An interesting way to look at what was used to create your house and where they came from. - When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
When Aidan, a trans boy, finds out he’s going to be a big brother, he wants to be the best big brother he can, but what if he makes a mistake? - Windows by Julia Denos, illustrated by E. B. Goodale
Taking a walk around the neighborhood, a little boy glimpses the lives of everyone around him.
If you’re interested in purchasing any of the titles on this list, please use my affiliate link for Bookshop.org. When you purchase from this link, I will earn a commission as an affiliate.
For the month of April, I’ll be sharing early literacy tips and book lists as part of the Blogging A to Z Challenge. Learn about the importance of early literacy and ways to incorporate tips and tricks into your family’s daily routine. Developing language skills before kids head to school helps them to be ready to learn when they reach school-age. In addition to great content, you’ll also get a new book list for each letter, resulting in over 300 board book and picture book suggestions for your family to enjoy!
