LA 4.03Moveable Alphabet: Child's Own Words
The child builds words of their own choosing, from their own thoughts, with no objects or pictures.
Presentation
- 1
Sit with the child and the alphabet box.
- 2
Ask, "What word would you like to make today?" and wait.
- 3
If the child needs an idea, suggest a topic they love (animals, family, favorite foods).
- 4
Let the child build the word, saying the sounds quietly.
- 5
Accept the phonetic spelling the child makes ("kat," "sed").
- 6
Ask the child to tell you about the word, then invite them to build another.
- 7
If you record the words, write them in correct spelling on a slip for the child to keep, without pointing out differences.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Building lists of words on one topic (all the animals the child knows)
- Building words using the small (cursive or print) Moveable Alphabet
- Copying their own words onto paper
Control of error
None by design; the aim is fluent expression. The adult observes to plan future lessons.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Chooses and builds several words without suggestions
- Builds words of two syllables or more
- Represents every sound heard in the word, even if spelled phonetically
Guide note
This is often the point when a child begins to write spontaneously and daily; allow long sessions. Dual-language learners may build words in their home language if it uses the Latin alphabet; this is still valid encoding practice.