Simon Says Read

What you do: 1. Play Simon Says with a twist. Start as usual. Say, “Simon says put your hands on your hips” and do it. Wait for your child to follow. Say and do a few more actions – clap hands, touch toes, and so on. 2. Now say, “Simon says pick up a book.” Wait for your child to follow. Then go from cover to cover, as readers do, adding a few silly mistakes he can catch: “Simon says hold the book upside down – oops!” “Simon says now hold it the right way.” “Simon says point to the title…open the cover…turn the page.” “Simon says point to the picture…point to a word…point to where you start to read.” “Simon says turn the next page – oops, wrong way!” “Simon says close the book – the end!” 3. Let your child be Simon and tell you how to read a book. Why it works: Your child becomes aware of how books and print “work.” © 2000 National Center for Learning Disabilities