Sound hunt
Listening to sounds in words4 to 7 years10 minutes
You need: Nothing, or a few things from around the house
Show the steps
- Say a sound, like 'mmm', and look around together for things that start with it: mat, milk, mango
- Take turns choosing the sound
- Try the end sound next: what ends with 't'? cat, hat, plate
- Play in Tamil too; the skill carries across languages
Letters in a rice tray
Learning letter shapes and sounds4 to 8 years10 minutes
You need: A plate or tray, a thin layer of rice, salt or sand
Show the steps
- Write a letter on paper as an example
- Your child traces it in the rice with one finger, saying its sound
- Shake the tray to clear it, and try again
- Move on to short words once letters feel easy
Number line hop
Counting, adding and taking away5 to 9 years15 minutes
You need: Chalk or tape, a floor or courtyard
Show the steps
- Draw a line on the floor and mark the numbers 0 to 20
- Call out a number; your child hops to it
- Try 'start at 5, hop forward 3': where do you land?
- Let your child set a problem for you
Story in three pictures
Order, memory and telling a story5 to 10 years15 minutes
You need: Paper and pencils, or three photos from your phone
Show the steps
- Do something together, like making tea
- Draw or photograph three moments: first, next, last
- Mix them up and ask your child to put them in order
- Ask them to tell the story using first, next and last
Picture routine chart
Following routines with less stress3 to 10 years20 minutes to make
You need: Paper, pencils, tape
Show the steps
- Pick one routine, like getting ready for school
- Draw a simple picture for each step: brush teeth, bath, dress, eat, bag
- Stick the pictures in order where your child can see them
- Let your child tick off each step as they go
Peg and paper fingers
Finger strength for holding a pencil3 to 8 years10 minutes
You need: Clothes pegs, old newspaper, dough or clay
Show the steps
- Pin pegs around the edge of a box or plate
- Tear newspaper into strips, then into small pieces
- Roll the pieces into little balls between finger and thumb
- Make shapes or letters from dough
Read together in your home language
Love of stories, vocabulary, understandingAny age10 minutes a day
You need: A free storybook from StoryWeaver, or any book at home
Show the steps
- Pick a short book in the language you speak at home
- Read it aloud and talk about the pictures
- Ask 'what do you think happens next?'
- If there's an English version, read that the next day
Short videos of these activities are coming
One-minute videos of each activity, in Tamil and English. If you make videos, or have a phone and a willing family, we’d love your help. Offer your skills