Literacy is so much more than sounding out words and printing letters over and over. Sure, those are important aspects of learning to read and write, but communication is so much more. We love these paper bag activities that My Speech Universe has compiled, and not just because they are so easy to throw together.
One of our favourite activities on this list is “Describe It To Me”. To prepare, simply throw a few objects into a bag; these could range from common household items, such as a paperclip or pencil, to tiny toys or figures (think McDonald’s toys, playmobil, lego etc). The aim of the activity is for the child to pull an item out of the bag, look at it, and describe it to you. Encourage the child to use describing words, and use prompting questions if they seem unsure, such as “What colour is it?” and “How would you use it?”. This activity helps children flex their “explaining” muscles and gives them the opportunity to learn and practice new words to describe objects. Another way to extend this activity is to relate it to other objects or areas, such as things they notice in the backyard or on a neighbourhood walk.
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