Episode Eleven - Name Song

Your child’s name is very important! When a child learns to their name and how to spell it, they have mastered an early literacy skill. Before we learn to read the letters, we need to know the letter names, the sequence in which they occur in the name and how they sound together. 

This episode can be viewed in the video player above and is also posted on the PRCVI YouTube channel where you will find links to other resources as well as the comments thread for this video.

Linked here is a PDF version of the Name Song recipe. 

Key ingredients 

• Put your child’s name to the tune of the B-I-N-G-O song, with the name divided into syllables
• For example, for the name TAYLOR:
• I know a child whose is TAYLOR and Taylor is their name-o
• T-A-Y, L-O-R; T-A-Y, L-O-R; T-A-Y, L-O-R; and Taylor is their name-o

Mixing it together 

• If your child needs to know the spelling of their name as the get ready for school, stick with the name they will be using (e.g., full name or nickname).
• Clap or tap along to the rhythm of your song.
• Have a name song for other important people in your child’s life: a sibling, a pet.

Topping off the recipe 

• Take this activity to the next level by making a name puzzle for your child. 
• Print two copies of your child’s name in bolded, large font letters, leaving two spaces between each letter.
• Glue one name strip onto a square of cardboard and cover the name strip with a wide piece of self-adhesive laminating sheet. Below each letter on the cardboard, place a Velcro coin.
• Glue the other name strip onto cardstock or lightweight cardboard, such as a cereal box. Cover each name strip on both sides with a strip of self-adhesive laminating sheet. Cut letters into separate pieces and put a Velcro coin on the back of each letter.
• Have your child match the individual letters with their name on the cardboard as you sing their name song.