Nurturing Early Literacy: Playful Letter T Discoveries with Turkeys and Turtles
A play-based exploration of the sounds of letter T through stories, sensory play, and seasonal rhythms.
Earlier this year, my youngest was stung by a yellowjacket. Ever since, any buzz or flutter in the air sent him into full alert — warning everyone within a half-mile radius of potential danger.
But last weekend, when winter abruptly arrived here in the Midwest, you could tell he noticed a shift. There were no warnings or frantic pointing…just observation as he watched the bright orange leaves tumble over the snow.
It started a conversation with all my kiddos about where creatures go when the cold sets in. And what better way to answer this question than through a story?
I’m highlighting a nonfiction title — one that shows how far children’s nonfiction has come since I was little. Today’s narrative nonfiction books invite readers to experience the story while learning true facts along the way.
My Little Book of Painted Turtles by Hope Irvin Marston, illustrated by Maria Magdalena Brown, is one of those treasures. With its lyrical storytelling and stunning art, it’s a perfect choice for introducing young readers to the natural world, whether in outdoor classrooms, nature studies, or home libraries.
This book offers a captivating glimpse into the life of a painted turtle. Readers are drawn into the rhythms of pond life as they watch turtles bask, dive, and adapt with the seasons.
Onomatopoeia brings the story to life with splashes and ripples that invite little listeners to lean in. At first, I wasn’t sure how my youngest would sit through it, but the musical language and sensory detail held his attention from start to finish, and he would point to pictures and ask questions. The artwork gives plenty to explore on every page, showing how turtles endure the chill of winter and reawaken with spring’s warmth.
Marston’s use of metaphor and simile helps young readers connect complex natural behaviors to familiar experiences, making this both an engaging story and a just-right introduction to life science.
The Letter T Play & Learn Packet builds on these themes of preparation through story-rich, sensory invitations and hands-on discoveries designed to nurture curiosity and early literacy, and inspire creativity.
In this edition
IN THE BOOK BASKET
A FREE printable booklist featuring our favorite titles for exploring turtles, turkeys, baking, and cooking.FEATURED ACTIVITY: TURTLE HIBERNATION SENSORY BIN
A simple setup using materials from around the house or outside.LETTER T PLAY & LEARN PACKET
Fine-motor play, sensory exploration, nature crafts, and life skills that nurture early literacy.LETTER T PLAYDOUGH MATS
Always free to download, these mats invite new ways to explore playdough.
WHAT’S NEXT
A peek at what’s coming later this month, including our Thanksgiving Packet release and a special Advent Packet to bring in the season.ANNUAL SUBSCRIBER HOLIDAY SPECIAL
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In the book basket
This month’s book basket is filled with stories that celebrate turtles, turkeys, and a couple life skills we’re highlighting in our November calendar. I’ve gathered a mix of classic and fresh titles, including one below.
I do have to note…finding a picture book about turkeys not centered on Thanksgiving is a feat in itself! (Writer friends, take note! There’s a gap to fill!)
One title that captured my little ones’ attention—and really drives home the sound of letter T—is Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha, with bold, retro-style art by Dan Yaccarino. The rhythmic writing and repeating refrains invite readers to chant along as Mr. Gilly, the town’s trash collector, makes his rounds.
“Dump it in, smash it down, drive around the Trashy Town!”
It’s one of those reads with text that practically dances. My kiddo couldn’t help but join in. Beyond its bouncy text, the story also opens up conversations about community helpers, recycling, and caring for the world around us.
Explore more of our favorite reads and seasonal picks in the curated booklist here:
Sensory Play: Turtle Hibernation
This time of year is perfect for exploring how animals prepare for winter. Birds are busy migrating, and most children are familiar with bears settling in for a long winter nap…but what about the “lesser-known” cold-blooded creatures?
After reading My Little Book of Painted Turtles, we created a sensory bin that let my kiddos imagine what it might feel like to tuck in for the season — just like a turtle!
Start by filling a shallow bin with natural materials. We used a mix of dried beans, leaves, wood slices, and small pinecones. Add a few toy turtles (or smooth stones decorated to look like turtles) and invite children to dig, hide, and “hibernate” their turtles beneath the layers. (The science teacher in me must note it’s technically brumation, in which is a term used for cold-blooded animals.)
This simple play strengthens fine motor skills, develop sensory awareness, and fosters understanding of scientific ideas like habitats and seasonal change.
My kiddo was occupied with this sensory bin for most of an afternoon, eventually switching the turtles out for dump trucks and bulldozers.
You’ll find more playful invitations inside the Letter T Play & Learn Packet! From colorful Pom Pom Sorting Turtles that build hand-eye coordination and color recognition, to Turkey Playdough Invitations that inspire creativity and open-ended storytelling, each discovery is designed to bring themes from picture books out of the pages and into little hands.
Letter T Play & Learn Packet
The Letter T Play & Learn Packet is packed with 32 pages of playful invitations for children to explore the changing seasons through the eyes of turtles, turkeys, and life skills.
Inside, you’ll find:
Hands-on Letter T crafts, sensory play, and fine motor activities featuring turtles, turkeys, and more.
Songs, dramatic play, and life skills: Music and movement, Little Baker Day, food prep, and kitchen tool exploration.
Play recipe cards & sorting activities for counting, color recognition, and early math skills.
Templates and printable tools for story-based learning at home or in the classroom.
Designed for toddlers through early elementary learners, activities require simple setups (and easy cleanups!) that seamlessly fit into your day, whether it’s during morning basket time, circle, or free play.
If you’re a paid subscriber, you’ll find the full printable packet waiting for you at the end of this post.
Playdough Mats
Playdough Mats invite hands-on learning through creativity and play. Each mat encourages rolling, squishing, and shaping of dough as they build connections to the letter T.
What’s Coming Up
I’m nearly finished pulling together a special Thanksgiving Play & Learn Packet for our paid subscribers filled with activities that would work for both the morning basket, and the kids’ table during family gatherings. Each setup is simple, engaging, and easy to prep for busy Thanksgiving days. You’ll also discover a STEAM challenge that I’m particularly excited about! I’m hoping to roll this out by the middle of next week so you have plenty of time to check it out and plan.
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Until next time,
Lindsay
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