Matching voice to print is milestone in learning to read. When a child is just beginning to read (and even into 1st or 2nd grade), he tends to finger point at words as he reads. This is normal and okay. For a quick tip on helping older students move past finger pointing, see the end of the post.
Just the other day, while perusing through the $1 bins at Target (like I do every time I go), I noticed those little witch fingers. I was so excited to pick up a package. No, none of my kids are going to be witches for Halloween. BUT…they’ve been using them ever since to point to print as they read; especially NJoy (a few days shy of 4 years old).
{permission granted to use photo}
Pointers don’t have to be fancy or expensive. As a matter of fact, sometimes the best ones are homemade or recycled. Here are a few ideas on DIY reading pointers:
- Halloween Fun Pointers for Reading {Pragmatic Mom}
- Fancy Feathers {Creekside Learning}
- Popsicle Stick Pointers {Creekside Learning}
- Decorate Your Own Popsicle Sticks {Pink and Green Mama}
- DIY: Paint Sample Bookmarks {Bookworms Read More Books}*
- Recycled Bubble Wands as Pointers {This Reading Mama}
- Fun erasers, magic wands, fun reading “glasses” (with the lens out-great to purchase at the $1 store)-all suggestions by Busy Kids Happy Mom and 3 Dinosaurs
*As students get older, finger pointing can be a hindrance to fluency. Struggling readers may still feel the need to finger point. Here’s a quick tip to help them move beyond it: take a popsicle stick or a bookmark and turn it sideways. Students can use it to hold their place on the line and move it down each row of words as they read.
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Jackie Higgins says
Great idea for a post. Wonderful round up of ideas! I like that you can change them seasonally and keep the interest high!
thisreadingmama says
Good point, Jackie!
Julie @ Creekside Learning says
The witch fingers for pointing! I love it! We will be doing that today, just unpacked our Halloween decorations and have several of those fingers. Thanks for including our feather and popsicle stick pointers. 🙂
thisreadingmama says
You’re welcome. Enjoy your witch fingers. 😉