BGPF020 | Phonics P
By Dr. Rajeev Tamhankar and Riddhi Chincholikar
The Pretend Panda Family Picnic activity is an engaging phonics lesson designed to introduce children to the letter “P” through fun, interactive play. By associating the letter “P” with a panda and various picnic-related items, children will learn to recognize and pronounce the letter while enhancing their vocabulary. This multi-sensory approach fosters a love for learning phonics in a playful and memorable way.
- Introduction to the Letter P:
- Introduce the letter “P” using a flashcard. Emphasize the sound: “P as in panda, P as in pizza.”
- Explain that today, they will explore items that start with the letter “P.”
- Create Panda Masks:
- Provide materials for children to create their own panda masks. Use paper to draw black circles for eyes and ears, cut them out, and help children attach them to a headband or stick.
- Set Up a Picnic Area:
- Create a picnic setting using a blanket and various pretend food items that start with “P,” such as:
- Pizza
- Pears
- Pancakes
- If you don’t have toy food, you can use pictures of food items.
- Create a picnic setting using a blanket and various pretend food items that start with “P,” such as:
- Have a Picnic:
- Invite the children to wear their panda masks or hold stuffed panda toys.
- Sit together in the picnic area and pretend to eat the picnic foods, discussing the items starting with “P” (e.g., “Let’s eat our pizza!”).
- Expand Vocabulary:
- Encourage children to mention other items from their home that start with “P,” such as pen, pencil, pumpkin, etc.
- Reinforce the pronunciation of the letter “P” throughout the activity.
- Review and Reinforcement:
- Over the next few days, reinforce the sound of “P” by pointing out objects in their environment that begin with the letter.
- Use phrases like, “Can you find a pen? What sound does pen start with?”
- Phonemic Awareness:
- Helps children recognize the sound of the letter “P” in various contexts, enhancing their phonemic awareness.
- Vocabulary Expansion:
- Introduces new words that start with the letter “P,” improving children’s vocabulary and language skills.
- Creative Expression:
- The craft component (mask-making) fosters creativity and fine motor skills.
- Social Skills:
- Engaging in group activities promotes teamwork, sharing, and communication among peers.
- Multi-Sensory Learning:
- Combining visual, auditory, and tactile experiences reinforces learning through multiple senses.
- Use Rhymes and Songs:
- Incorporate rhymes or songs that emphasize the letter “P” to make the learning experience more enjoyable.
- Be Energetic and Expressive:
- Use animated gestures and expressions when emphasizing the sounds and words starting with “P” to keep children engaged.
- Explore Beyond the Picnic:
- Extend the activity to include a mini scavenger hunt for objects that start with “P” around the home or classroom.
- Repeat and Reinforce:
- Consistently revisit the letter “P” over the following days to reinforce recognition and pronunciation.
- Make It Fun:
- Keep the atmosphere light and playful to ensure that children associate learning with joy and creativity.
- Flashcards: Flashcard of the letter “P” and a picture of a panda.
- Materials for Masks: Paper, scissors, black markers or crayons, and headbands/sticks for masks.
- Picnic Setup: A blanket for sitting and pretend food items that start with “P” (or pictures of food).
- Pencil and Paper: For children to draw or write items that start with “P” if they are at that developmental stage.
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