Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Learning · The activity desk
Picture-key secret message
Invent a small picture code and exchange a message with a partner.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
Paper and child-appropriate crayons or pencils
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Fold a sheet into a key area and a message area. Choose three or four letters for a short word.
Adult's role: Help write the letters and keep a copy of the key for the person decoding.
Let's make it happen
- In the key area, write each chosen letter beside a different simple picture, such as a star or a circle.
- Write a short word using the pictures in place of its letters. Leave spaces between words if making a longer message.
- Give your partner the message and the key. Match each picture to its letter and read the message together.
Make it simpler: Use two pictures to represent two whole words, such as hello and friend.
Clean up: Put drawing supplies away and keep or recycle the message.
Stay nearby while young children use drawing supplies and remove broken pieces.