Make it a Sensory Rich Experience

Add Multi-Sensory Enhancements 

Braille: Overlays or embossed

Tactile: Use real objects that match the concepts. Add raised lines, textured paper, felt, raffia, foil, sequins, vinyl, feathers, flowers, leaves, fabrics, faux fur, etc. 

Audio: Make silly noises and sound effects. Incorporate sound buttons. Clap to highlight syllables.  Sing a song. 

Smells: Real foods, scratch and sniff scents or markers, candles, spices, scented oils. 

Movement and Action: Model to encourage imitation, act out parts of the story, go on a scavenger hunt.

Using the Image Matching Cards

Concept Development

Identification and labeling: What do you see?

Recognition:  Where is the _____? Find the ____. Show me the  ____. Point to the ____. 

Early Literacy Activities

Match real physical objects to the image cards

Match images to each other or to the book

Use the images to retell the story (sequencing)

Play a memory-matching game with the images

Use the images to retrieve, use and put away familiar objects

Use the image to finish a sentence frame ex. "I like _____."

Use the images on choice boards

Use the images on a calendar schedule

Use the images to create an experience story

When I created these books, I intentionally chose realistic images of objects commonly found around the home or school. Encourage your child to play, engage in conversation, move, and interact with the objects while actively discovering the meaning behind each concept.  

Creating a sensory-rich experience for your child will enable them to make real-life connections, which in turn will support conceptual understanding. Children must gain prior knowledge of a concept through personal experience before they can recognize that concept portrayed in a book.