Saturday, March 30, 2013

5 Literacy Activities Using Mega Bloks

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I came across the idea of using Mega Bloks to promote literacy from Preschool Powol Packets by using a dry erase marker to write letters on the blocks.  Of course, I started brainstorming other ways to use them, so here are five literacy activities for toddlers and preschoolers using Mega Bloks.

Using Mega Bloks for literacy learning with toddlers and preschoolers from And Next Comes L

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Materials
I originally tried using dry erase markers, but I found that the letters rubbed off too easily.  Instead, I used window markers.  They dry quickly and don't rub off like the dry erase markers do.  And after many hours, they still cleaned up super quick with just a damp cloth.

I made 52 letter blocks so that I could have a full set of uppercase letters and a full set of lowercase letters.

There are so many ways to play with these blocks, but here are a few ways in which the boys played.


Literacy Activity #1: Naming & Identifying Letters (aka Toddler Play)


K was more interested in studying the letters and naming the ones he recognized.  I helped him name the ones he didn't recognize.  Then he started to build a tower.

Toddler play with alphabet Mega Bloks from And Next Comes L

Then he dumped out the whole container.

Toddler play with alphabet Mega Bloks from And Next Comes L

Literacy Activity #2: Letter Matching


Since I made both uppercase and lowercase letters, we could do some letter matching.

Literacy activities using Mega Bloks: matching uppercase and lowercase letters from And Next Comes L

J tried this activity out for a bit and was, unsurprisingly, very good at it.  He's been a pro at his letters for so long so this part was easy for him.

Literacy activities using Mega Bloks: matching uppercase and lowercase letters from And Next Comes L


Literacy Activity #3: Spelling & Reading Words


The blocks can also be put together to spell simple words to help your child practice their spelling and reading skills.  It would be a great way to practice sight words too!

Spelling words using alphabet Mega Bloks from And Next Comes L

Literacy activities using Mega Bloks: spelling words from And Next Comes L

Literacy Activity #4: Letter Sequencing & Singing the ABCs


J started building a long line by putting the letter blocks in alphabetical order, uppercase then lowercase.  Then J started running alongside his long line, singing the ABCs and pointing to the letters.

Literacy activities using Mega Bloks: letter sequencing from And Next Comes L


Literacy Activity #5: Letter Sequencing & Reading Dr. Seuss's ABC Book


After J built his long line of letter blocks, I thought it would be fun to read our all time favorite ABC book.  As you can see in the picture below, our copy of Dr. Seuss's ABC has seen better days.  It has been read every single day for as long as I can remember and it is in rough shape now.  Actually, when I picked up the book on this particular day, the cover slid right off.  Regardless, we read the book together and J pointed to the correct letters as we went along.  You could chose any of your favorite alphabet books, but we love this one. 

Letter sequencing with Mega Bloks & Dr. Seuss' ABCs from And Next Comes L

What's your favorite ABC book for children?  Tell me in the comments.

5 literacy activities for toddlers & preschoolers using Mega Bloks from And Next Comes L

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