SWR users, question about the little ones..

[thundersweet]

I taught dd to read with SWR. We are also using it for spelling now that she is in 2nd grade. I want to teach my 4yo ds from the start with SWR. When I started with dd I just taught the one short sound first etc before we found SWR. I want to teach ds all the sounds from the start. Today we started school for dd. For ds I just wrote the big and little Aa on the board and taught the sounds it makes. He has been saying the sounds all day and looking for Aa in our reading. I was planning on staying with Aa for the week and help him write the letters in a salt box or something. Any other neat ideas to help the littles learn the alphabet SWR way? I have read the steps in SWR but thought you ladies might have some fun creative ideas.

Thanks,
Sandy

[Alenee]

How about Phonogram Bingo? Your older dd could help guide the younger one as they play. My girls love this game. You could also use shaving cream to make the letters on the bathroom mirror.

[kalanamak]

I started the cards when kiddo was 4. He sat on daddy's lap and I held up the cards for both of them. Since daddy has bad dyslexia, this was not a cakewalk for him. A "doing together" project, plus cuddles, made him stick with it. I started with the first sound on the card and "mentioned" the others. Kiddo quickly started crowing with excitement when he remembered the other pronunciations.
HTH

[krazzymommy]

My son pretty much picked up the alphabet last year on his own, but we started SWR this year. He was able to pick up most of the phonograms very quickly (within a few weeks). We try to go through the cards a couple times a week. We go fast and if he hesitates, I just say it and he repeats. This has led to almost mastery. After we go through the cards, we try and do an activity~

The stuff that has been a huge hit with my son so far this year:

Salt letters (or rice or beans)
White board - he loves being in control
Chalk board - it feels different
Pudding
Sidewalk chalk
Finger painting

He enjoys it.