14th
![Lynn Hatcher McGary - Master Teacher
(September 1949 until January 2009)
“Lynn was one of the godliest women I have known … with five bright and godly children to carry on the Hatcher-McGary heritage.”
- Dr. Hershael York, January 21, 2009
Williamson Memorial Gardens, Franklin, TN
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#2 PREPARATION FOR READING
The first sound and letter to teach most children is the letter “O.” We know that a newborn is most attracted to faces, for many reasons. The face is in the general shape of an oval or circle. It is this shape that I recommend you use to start associating shapes with meaning. A baby will play with a ball - so start by calling it “O Ball.” “See the O-Ball!” “Where is the “O-Ball?”
[NOTE: This specific instruction is fully developed in Lynn’s book, “30 Games to Play with Newborns” - a completed manuscript to be published posthumously]
Teach letters, capital letters first. You can teach 15 letters using straight lines. I recommend you teach them naturally, not in some formal “educational” time set aside for “teaching.” Use everyday activities to introduce the 15 letters.
Start by introducing the four (4) letters that require two (2) straight lines. You can start the introduction as early as a few months of age. Remember, this is introduction, not memorization or calling out. Make it a fun game.
In the yard, help your child find two straight twigs for the letters. At breakfast cut French toast into long straight slices - use two, then your child can eat those two, and then use two more! Helps eating go better and learning too.
At McDonalds use two straws. Use two asparagus spears. Use two long tea spoons. Use two pieces of yarn. Think about the many opportunities to turn this into a game as you go about your daily activities. Your child will grasp that learning goes on at all times - and not just in a formal “learning time” setting.
After your child has been well exposed to using two (2) lines of something to make letters then go to three (3) lines. Eight (8) letters can be made with three lines. Repeat the approach. Continue to shape the letters that require only two (2) lines - to keep them familiar. Then finally, go to the three (3) letters that require four (4) lines.
It is important to remember that the child is learning though not able to repeat the names of the letters. This is similar to a child’s introduction to language - both vocabulary and syntax - but not able to form the words or to know the meaning of certain words or language rhythms.
The main idea is to “teach” early and in the daily activities of family life. Dads have tools and other items they can use for this same approach!
Photo: Gracie Shaw and Lynn McGary, Maison de la Vie, Louisville, KY](http://28.media.tumblr.com/agki88hRQjytb6143Go2tdZwo1_400.jpg)
Lynn Hatcher McGary - Master Teacher
(September 1949 until January 2009)
“Lynn was one of the godliest women I have known … with five bright and godly children to carry on the Hatcher-McGary heritage.”
- Dr. Hershael York, January 21, 2009
Williamson Memorial Gardens, Franklin, TN
_________________________________________________
#2 PREPARATION FOR READING
The first sound and letter to teach most children is the letter “O.” We know that a newborn is most attracted to faces, for many reasons. The face is in the general shape of an oval or circle. It is this shape that I recommend you use to start associating shapes with meaning. A baby will play with a ball - so start by calling it “O Ball.” “See the O-Ball!” “Where is the “O-Ball?”
[NOTE: This specific instruction is fully developed in Lynn’s book, “30 Games to Play with Newborns” - a completed manuscript to be published posthumously]
Teach letters, capital letters first. You can teach 15 letters using straight lines. I recommend you teach them naturally, not in some formal “educational” time set aside for “teaching.” Use everyday activities to introduce the 15 letters.
Start by introducing the four (4) letters that require two (2) straight lines. You can start the introduction as early as a few months of age. Remember, this is introduction, not memorization or calling out. Make it a fun game.
In the yard, help your child find two straight twigs for the letters. At breakfast cut French toast into long straight slices - use two, then your child can eat those two, and then use two more! Helps eating go better and learning too.
At McDonalds use two straws. Use two asparagus spears. Use two long tea spoons. Use two pieces of yarn. Think about the many opportunities to turn this into a game as you go about your daily activities. Your child will grasp that learning goes on at all times - and not just in a formal “learning time” setting.
After your child has been well exposed to using two (2) lines of something to make letters then go to three (3) lines. Eight (8) letters can be made with three lines. Repeat the approach. Continue to shape the letters that require only two (2) lines - to keep them familiar. Then finally, go to the three (3) letters that require four (4) lines.
It is important to remember that the child is learning though not able to repeat the names of the letters. This is similar to a child’s introduction to language - both vocabulary and syntax - but not able to form the words or to know the meaning of certain words or language rhythms.
The main idea is to “teach” early and in the daily activities of family life. Dads have tools and other items they can use for this same approach!
Photo: Gracie Shaw and Lynn McGary, Maison de la Vie, Louisville, KY
