Research shows that encouraging early literacy practices will help children develop the skills they need to become a successful reader and writer in the future. Early literacy practices include ample joyful reading, singing songs and chants, having conversations with children, playing and drawing, which will promote phonemic awareness, letter recognition and knowledge, vocabulary development. In addition, drawing helps enhance fine motor skills, which are crucial for later writing skills.
The following is an example of how a 2-year-old child is fascinated by touching and playing with letter figures. Simply have a child play with the letter figures and sound out each letter together while saying a word that starts with the same initial sound.
The following parental guide provides various activities that demonstrate how to use a hiragana puzzle to enhance literacy learning through sensory and cognitive stimulation.
