Letter Clothesline
Your child will identify and match letters on clothespins to pieces of “laundry” in order to reinforce letter recognition.
Learning Area(s): Reading and Writing; Physical Development
MATERIALS
- clothesline or yarn or string
- clothespins
- two chairs
- cardstock with uppercase letters printed on OR
printable clothing template - marker
LET'S PLAY
Begin by stringing a clothesline between two chairs. Be sure to move the chairs out of the way or against a wall so no one trips or falls into the string.
Take 10 clothespins and write a different uppercase letter on each clothespin. Invite your child to help you place the clothespins on the clothesline. Cut out square shapes (or clothing shapes from printed templates) from cardstock and write one of the same 10 uppercase letters on each square with a marker.
Place the paper cutouts in a small basket. Have your child match the letters on the squares (or clothing shapes) to the letters on the clothespins and hang the “laundry.” Ask your child to name each letter as he hangs the pieces of laundry. If he needs some help, then tell him the name of the letter and ask him to repeat it.
TIPS
- If your child has mastered uppercase letters, try this activity using 10 clothespins and 10 square (or clothing shaped) cutouts with matching lowercase letters.
- Another variation on this activity is to match lowercase to uppercase letter partners.
- Try using your child’s real laundry items (pants, socks, pajamas, underwear, panties, etc.) to hang on the clothesline! You can talk about what each piece of clothing is called, what letter each one begins with, and what sound that letter makes. Find the matching letter on a clothespin and use it to hang the piece of laundry on the clothesline.
- Encourage your child to help you when you do real laundry. As you sort or fold clothes together, see if your child can name each type of clothing and figure out what sound and letter that word starts with.
