What is a Textured Letters book? A book with sandpaper or felt letters of the alphabet with starting positions and directions marked, a rhyme to help children remember the most common sound of each letter, and lots of interesting pictures to talk about that start with that sound.
The letters are “textured” so that children can feel the letters as they trace them – tactile, as well as visual and auditory input. All the senses support and reinforce each other, and add to the effectiveness of the learning experience.
It can be quite a time consuming task to make a Textured Letters book, perhaps a birthday present from a grandparent … I made one for each family of my grandchildren. For teachers, perhaps make one for or with a class, or just add textured letters to wall charts that you might already be making. Now I have just made one for two honorary grandchildren. One family to go!
Originally, 20+ years ago, I just collected pictures from magazines, travel brochures and advertisements. Later I added some pictures from Gilead Success with Phonics for letters that were difficult to find (originally from The Gilead Success with Reading Program, Part 1). Now there are so many beautiful photos on the internet that I ended up spending many hours finding “just the right one …” I can’t share them with you because I don’t have copyright for them, but I’m sure it is OK to find and use them for your own grandchildren.
For the first one, 20+ years ago, I used sandpaper, the last one red felt. Next time I think I will try self adhesive felt – it might be a bit easier to cut out and attach. It needs to be textured so children feel it as they trace each letter. Red seems to be the best colour to use because it attracts children’s attention.
The video shows a young grandchild (now a strapping 20-year-old) using their Textured Letters book with his mother. “Tac” is “cat” as he was still saying the odd word backwards at that stage.
Choosing interesting pictures, and the resulting discussion with your child, can extend their vocabulary, one of the five keys to learning to read successfully. (“Findings from the research evidence indicate that all students learn best when teachers adopt an integrated approach to reading that explicitly teaches phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary knowledge and comprehension.” p11, National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy, 2005)
It is important to mark the starting point and direction to go for each letter so that children learn consistent directions. This helps decrease left-right confusion with letters like “b and d”, and “p and q”, also the transition to “joined writing” later. If a child is confused, you can remind them that “s”, “d” etc start in the same direction as “c” for cat. Children can also use the Textured Letters book as a reference when they are starting to write independently.
What I will do differently next time – use less pictures (don’t be tempted to squeeze another one, two or more onto the facing page), perhaps do a page for one letter each week or two, and maybe take it to add to the book when I visit.
Instructions, templates for letters and facing pages with rhymes, directions etc. are part of Gilead Success with Phonics.
I am working on an idea for a simplified version. I hope to have it done in a week or two, so stay tuned.
{ 0 comments… add one now }