It's CHALLENGE TIME! Yassssssssssssssss!!!!!!

Today is the day that we put the smack down on the Word Gap! Awaken your inner literacy warrior because we are about to let the a word gap know that we play no games when it comes to our children!

The 21 Day Literacy Challenge is all about increasing the amount of language your lil one hears on a daily basis, as well as introducing him or her to various literacy activities. Why 21 days you ask? Well, research has shown that it takes at least 21 days for something to become a habit, and that's exactly what the goal here is. We want language building activities to become so deeply woven into our daily lives that we no longer even think about it.

The Rules

Day 1-6: Build the Daily 6

On day one, complete the first activity. Each day after that, add the corresponding activity on top of the activity from the day before. For example: If on Monday you completed the day 1 activity, on Tuesday you are completing the day 1 and day 2 activity. On Wednesday, you are completing the day 1, day 2, and day 3 activity. By day 6, you should be completing 6 activities in one day. These 6 activities should be done every day after that. These activities are your core literacy activities.

Day 7-21: 6 + 1

Along with the daily 6, add one of the new activities each day. For example: On day 7, complete the daily 6 + the day 7 activity. On day 8, complete the daily 6 + the day 8 activity. After day 6, you are always completing 7 activities (the daily 6 + 1).

Even though I placed the activities in order, you should complete them in the order that works for you. This applies to the daily 6 as well. If it works for you to swap out the breakfast story for the bed time story, feel free. Make whatever changes you need to make this challenge fit into your daily life. As long as all the activities are done by day 21 you have successfully completed the 21 Day Literacy Challenge.

The Activities

Day 1: Read a book to your baby during breakfast.

Day 2: Sing a nursery rhyme to your baby during each diaper change.

Day 3: Narrate a daily activity while in the presence of your child.

Day 4: Walk/Carry your baby around the house pointing out and naming different items.

Day 5: Turn the t.v. off and read a book out loud while your baby is present. This book

should be something you're currently reading for your own pleasure. Even if

your lil one is playing with blocks as you read, she will still benefit from overhearing

the words.

Day 6: Sing the "ABC" song to your baby as soon as he/she wakes up in the morning.

Day 7: While grocery shopping, talk about every aisle you walk through and discuss every

item you're purchasing.

Day 8: Expand what your child says all day. For example, if your baby says "dog." You reply

by using dog in a complete sentence. "Yes, that is a brown dog with a red collar."

Day 9: Go for a walk with your lil one and point out/talk about what you see.

Day 10: After bath time, name at least 7 body parts while pointing them out.

Day 11: Talk to your child about what happened at work/school/while on the train etc.

Day 12: Get on the floor and play with your baby. Remember to talk while playing.

Day 13: Narrate at least 3 activities while your baby is present.

Day 14: Give your baby some crayons and paper for scribble time. Make sure your baby

doesn't try to eat the crayons (my girl has attempted to taste red several times, lol).

Day 15: Go over the alphabet and numbers with your child (I bought cheap foam letters

and numbers from Target).

Day 16: While waiting in line at the grocery story, go through the circular with your child.

Point out different items and name them. This can be done in the drug store, a

department store, or any store with a circular/brochure.

Day 17: Let your child flip through the pages of an old magazine and talk about what's being

shown on the pages (be sure to use something you don't mind getting ripped).

Day 18: Turn on the kid friendly music and sing to your lil one.

Day 19: When getting your child dressed, name each item and narrate how it's put on.

Day 20: Eat dinner with your lil one and talk about how the food tastes, where it came from,

how it was made, etc.

Day 21: Read a bedtime story to your baby.

By day 21, you will have formed a literacy building habit that will definitely support your lil one's language acquisition. Plus, you'll be 21 activities closer to closing the word gap! Snaps, Snaps, and more Snaps for good parenting!

Hope you find this challenge and these activities helpful. Remember that the ultimate goal is to prepare your child for academic success by any means necessary. The 21 Day Literacy Challenge is based on theory and will only be helpful if you put it into practice.

Until Next Time,

Peace

Tell Me About It

Did you do the 21 Day Literacy Challenge? Please leave comments to let me know how it went. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

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