As classroom-based learning continues online, and from home for most, especially our kindergarten through elementary grade level children, a few notables may pop up now and again. And they are quite normal— no need for alarm. A frequent is letter reversals with lowercase letters such as b, c, d, s, and y // with b and d being the most challenging. Of the many, many ways to navigate and correct this common occurrence, my go-to is the simple three-second hands on technique that can be incorporated (as needed), and without the use of added manipulatives. Emphasis on keeping it simple and avoiding fancy multi-letter-print posters, fonts, pictures, and variety excess which often have a way of overwhelming the brains of our little ones. More after the jump, plus a few links...
We all practiced this in our online group last week, manipulative-free, and some of our younger kids hopped on board to enjoy the practice too. :) Here are the quick steps for navigating b versus d.
1. Place palms at chest level, facing each other, keeping your fingers straight.
2. Keeping palms at chest level, rotate your fingers upwards, towards you, so they point towards the ceiling.
3. Extend your thumbs out and across your chest. Thumb tips should now be facing each other too. (see above as a guide)
4. Looking left to right, you'll see that the straight line (L) comes first (left hand) similar to a beginning b — and at right (right hand) a beginning d similar to the order of the alphabet: a b c d e f g ...
Because we truly learn by doing, practice with the list of b and d words below — add a few of yours too, and then mix things up with interchanging b and d words (bed, dread, bread, drip etc...), for finger-practice.
Easy listening, reading and writing...
... One hour, two minutes and five seconds of pure relaxation.
... I love the list of qualities, but not the term itself (too harsh).
... A neat Write-On Wipe-Off Let's Write Letters book.
... This lady in the cover photo is speaking my language; chandeliers included.
... 'Tis the week of it; currently enjoying these mint & raspberry sticks (here).
... The joy of steps.
... And, extra soft blueberry pancakes for dinner too. Yum!
