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Selecting First Written Words

Selecting First Written Words is the second activity in See and Learn First Written Words.

Why do this activity?

Selecting First Written Words is the second reading activity in See and Learn First Written Words.

This activity will help your child to:

  • continue to develop recognition of the written words
  • show which written words he/she recognizes

Is this activity suitable for my child?

When your child has completed the previous Matching First Written Words activity with a set of 4 words, he/she can use the set of words in this activity.

Please remember to read the See and Learn First Written Words guidance before you start this activity.

What do I need?

Materials

Vocabulary selection

Work through the sets of books and words in the order listed on the Selecting First Written Words record sheet.

When you have completed Selecting First Written Words with the first set of words, move on to the next reading activity (Naming First Written Words) with those four words.

When you have completed the first three of the First Written Words activities  (matching, selecting and naming) with the first set of words, introduce the next word set into the Matching First Written Words activity, and so on.

How do I do it?

  1. See and Learn - reading and language activities for children with Down syndromeRead the First Written Words book(s) together.
    Look at the pictures and read the words to your child.
    Encourage your child to participate, for example by showing him/her how to point to the words as you read.
  2. See and Learn - reading and language activities for children with Down syndromeShow each picture card to your child, by looking at the picture and then turning the card over to read the written word.
  3. See and Learn - reading and language activities for children with Down syndromePlace the cards on the table/floor, with the word-side facing upwards.
  4. See and Learn - reading and language activities for children with Down syndromeAsk your child to "find .......". Give your child as much help as he/she needs to find the right word.
  5. See and Learn - reading and language activities for children with Down syndromeEncourage your child to turn the card over and look at the picture.
  6. Repeat steps 4-5 with the rest of the cards, giving your child praise when he/she finds the right words.
  7. See and Learn - reading and language activities for children with Down syndromeFinish by reading the First Written Words book(s) together again.

What else could I do?

  • Lay out a set of word cards and ask your child to find one and place it in a box or tin. Repeat with all of the words.
  • Collect objects to go with the words where possible and help your child to match the written words to the objects.

Recording your child's progress

Note the date, activity and words used on the First Written Words session record.
On the Selecting First Written Words record sheet:

  • the first time you use a word in this activity, record the date in the 'first used in activity' column
  • when your child selects a word without your help, record the date in the 'selected without help' column

Only do this for the first, second and third card that you asked your child to find. The fourth card was the final choice so did not give your child an opportunity to show his/her understanding of it. You will need to repeat the activity with this same set of words, and ask your child to find the word cards in a different order to check his/her understanding of all four words.

When should I move on to the next activity?

When your child can select a set of words by him/herself consistently (i.e. several times), he/she is ready to use this set of words in the next activity - Naming First Written Words.
Complete the first three of the First Written Words activities (Matching First Written Words, Selecting First Written Words and Naming First Written Words) with this set of words before introducing the next set of words in Matching First Written Words
When your child has completed the first three See and Learn First Written Words activities for all four sets of words, he/she is ready to move on to the final activity, Matching First Written Phrases to Pictures.