Curriculum

• A familiar picture book with one or two lines of print per page
• A small sticky note or index card

1. Step 1. Show the closed book. Ask your child to find the front cover and title, then open it so the first page comes before the next page.
2. Step 2. On one page, ask which part is the picture and which part is the print. Cover the print briefly with the sticky note and explain that the exact words are hidden even though the picture remains.
3. Step 3. Place a finger under the first word at the top-left. Track one line from left to right while reading it aloud.
4. Step 4. At the end of the line, sweep back to the left and move down to the next line. Turn the page and let your child point to where reading begins.
5. Quick check. Open to a new two-line page. Success means your child points near the first word, moves a finger left to right across the first line, returns to the left for the next line, and turns one page forward without help.

Worked example. On a two-line page, say “I start here” while pointing under the first word. Slide right as you read the first line, return your finger to the left edge, move it down, and read the second line. Then ask your child to show where the next page begins.

Optional challenge. Ask your child to explain what the print does that the picture does not, then demonstrate the return sweep between two lines on a new page.

What to notice. Save one photo of your child’s finger under the first word on a page and a short parent note confirming they tracked one line and turned to the next page independently.